Knicks: 3 amazing statistical feats from New York’s latest win
Julius Randle has been unstoppable
Knicks fans are pinching themselves as they watch Julius Randle play like a superstar. That is not hyperbole. Through seven games, the Knick everyone loved to hate since he signed a 3-year, $62 million contract in 2019 is averaging 22.1 points on 50.9% shooting, including 40.7% from three, while adding 11.4 rebounds and a whopping 7.4 assists per game.
During Monday’s win over Atlanta, he ended one assist short of recording his second triple double in four games.
However, his 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 assists are still noteworthy. Since 2017, only 6 NBA players have put together a stat line similar to that: James Harden, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMarcus Cousins, and Russell Westbrook. That is it. Those are the names of players who have put up at least 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 assists in a game over the past three years. Amazing.
If the Knicks continue to get this kind of production from Randle they will have to completely re-evaluate his fit on the roster long-term. While nothing has been officially reported, it is hard to imagine the Steve Mills signing was considered a cornerstone player by this new front office given that he is a bit of an awkward fit next to Mitchell Robinson. Or so we thought.
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It’s only seven games. Let’s see what happens over the next seven, and the seven after that. But New York Knicks fans have every right to be excited about a group of players who are playing an exciting brand of basketball that has been missing from the Big Apple for too long.