Power forward Julius Randle wants to lead the New York Knicks to the playoffs this season and make the All-Star team.
Randle signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Knicks this summer in free agency. He's looking to be the main reason why New York shocks the world this season and makes the postseason.
The lefty also wants to become the first Knicks player to play in an All-Star game since Carmelo Anthony.
Via Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News:
Heading into this season, the 25-year-old set a goal of becoming the first Knick since Carmelo Anthony to actually play in an All-Star game.
“I just feel like situation and opportunity. Everything I’ve been through in the past, all the work I’ve put in in the past has prepared me for this opportunity now,” Randle said. “So it’s just a goal of mine. Eventually you feel like you have an opportunity. I feel like I do.”
Of course, the accolades will be determined by the success of the Knicks. It’s not a comforting condition since most believe New York is destined for another lottery-bound campaign. But if the Knicks manage to finish in the top-8, Randle will be a big reason why.
Perhaps the biggest reason.
“(The playoffs are) extremely important. I'm not going to sit here and talk about every day but it's extremely important,” he said. “That's what you work hard for. You talk about opportunity, this is my opportunity to be a real leader.
“So I just want to make sure everybody’s connected and we get better every day. I like our team compared to a lot of other teams. We do what we need to do every day to get better, that mental focus, lock in, stay connected, I like our team.”
Randle played with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. The talented big man averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Randle, 24, figures to have a high usage rate on the Knicks since New York doesn’t have a clear No. 1 option on offense.
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