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Julius Randle has been a man possessed this season for the New York Knicks, earning himself a spot in the NBA All-Star Game and gaining momentum as a top Most Improved Player candidate. He is, however, not immune to the occasional airball.
Randle was incinerating the Washington Wizards defense on Tuesday, including draining a string of extremely difficult three-pointers in the third quarter. Like most players in the zone, the Knicks forward continued to ride his hot hands, although his ridiculous stepback attempt from deep against tight coverage couldn't manage the same results.
After the game, the red-hot Randle admitted that it was a heat check (via Mike Vornukov of The Athletic).
Julius Randle admits to the sagacious @StevePopper he took this heat check after making 3 straight 3s in the 3rd Q vs. Wizards. Randle had 37 in the Knicks win and hit 7-of-10 3s.
"I did have a heat check," he said. "I was going to pull from half. That's how good I was feeling." pic.twitter.com/KX9etcCtbQ
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) March 24, 2021
The seven-year veteran has certainly been in that headspace on many occasions this year, as he is putting up career-high numbers across the board to the tune of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game. He led the Knicks to a convincing victory over the Wizards, tallying 37 points on 7-of-10 shooting from rainbow country. He also added six rebounds and a couple of assists.
Randle’s emergence as a bonafide scoring threat has greatly aided the Knicks' postseason hopes this season. They currently sit in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with an even 22-22 record.
His continued progression is a great sign for the Knicks' ambition and beyond, as Julius Randle still has another year left on his contract after this season. If he can continue playing the way he has this campaign, he may be due a hefty extension once his deal runs out.
