After a breakout campaign last season, which saw him take home the Most Improved Player trophy, many expected Julius Randle to become even better this season. But so far, that hasn't been the case, as the New York Knicks have stumbled to a middling record.

The Knicks suffered a tough loss anew on Wednesday night, bowing to the Orlando Magic, 104-98. Randle finished with a lowly 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 10 attempts from long range. Perhaps more significantly, he ended up with a plus-minus of -21, the worst in the game.

According to StatMuse, the Knicks star has been on a downturn in their last five games, accumulating a terrible plus-minus of -68. Randle has been throwing bricks as well, averaging only 38.3 percent from the field in the same stretch.

It must be painful for Knicks fans to see Randle struggle once again, perhaps reminding them of his atrocious performance against the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Playoffs last season that led to a first round exit.

Many also expected that the arrival of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier would help Randle improve, easing him off the offensive burden. But through the first 15 games of the Knicks, their flow remains much to be desired. Even coach Tom Thibodeau admitted so himself.

Things won't get easier for Randle and the Knicks as they will face the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks in four of their next five games.