Julius Randle, a legitimate All-Star candidate, is the “engine” that is driving the Knicks ’resurgence.
That’s how Randle was described by veteran teammate Austin Rivers and first-year head coach Tom Thibodeau, respectively, after the outburst and the sudden threat of a triple-double faced the rising Knicks in the playoffs. his fifth win in six games Wednesday night against Utah in the garden.
Thibodeau’s arrival and the recognized commitment to his conditioning seem to have unlocked a new level of Randle play, with the Knicks signing a three-year deal worth $ 62.1 million as a free agent in 2019. .
The former Kentucky star averages career highs of 23.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and, most importantly, 7.4 assists per game, while recording the most minutes in the NBA (38.6 mpg). ), before Friday’s home game against Oklahoma City.
“It simply came to our notice then. … He’s doing it all, ”Thibodeau said.“ Playing big minutes, he comes the next day and works, he takes care of his body, very well with recovery, very well in film sessions. it is invaluable to a team.
“I think when you look at most players in this league there is a progression to become this type of player. They just don’t get there overnight. There are steps that need to be taken along the way and I think he has done that ”.
Randle, 26, reported on the training ground in early December “in an incredible way,” added Thibodeau, who allowed him to regularly record heavy minutes while rookie striker Obi Toppin (calf) remains offside. .
The Lakers ’seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft had averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 boards during their first six NBA seasons. This stretch also included a one-season stop alongside Anthony Davis in New Orleans before Randle signed with the Knicks.
Randle has never been selected for an All-Star team during his career, but Rivers believes his new teammate “has played at that level so far” during the Knicks’ first 5-3 start since 2013. .
“The biggest surprise for me has been his vision, his willingness to pass and his conditioning,” said Rivers, a nine-year veteran, after contributing 14 of his 23 points off the bench in the fourth quarter against Jazz. “He’s in an amazing way for him to do that. He plays most of the game. He does it for both ends. He’s talking. He’s been great for us.
“He’s playing at an All-Star level, you can’t deny it at all. So we need him to move on, for sure. “
Randle has more than doubled his professional attendance, placing seventh in the league in that category until Wednesday, after averaging just 2.8 in his first 375 career games.
“It’s fun for me, honestly,” Randle said after Wednesday’s game. “Watching my teammates come out of the ball screens or transfers or if they double me on the spot or whatever, playing the right game and hitting the guys when they’re open is energetic to me and it’s energetic to to them.
“It just leads us to play hard on each other on defense. When we all know we will go out together and play the right game and step and play with each other. It’s fantastic. We all have a good time, and I have a good time too ”.