Julius Randle has elevated his game in year two with the New York Knicks. With 2021 All-Star voting underway, Randle has proved why he should be selected.
The New York Knicks have turned some heads through the first quarter of the 2021 NBA Season. At 8-11, they are on pace for their best 20 game start since 2017-18.
Perhaps the biggest reason for this surprising start has been the play of Julius Randle. The big man was a key free-agent signing in the summer of 2019 but had an underwhelming first year in New York. Now it’s just the opposite. Randle’s play has seemingly jumped in almost every category, which in turn has helped the Knicks in the winning column.
According to basketball-reference, Randle is averaging career-highs across the board with 22.5 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. He’s also on pace to match his career average in steals, meaning his offensive improvements haven’t taken away from the defensive side of the ball.
But with this New York Knicks team, which is currently first in the NBA in points allowed per game, Randle’s role isn’t to become another lockdown defender. The Knicks already have plenty of those and within coach Tom Thibodeau’s system; Randle will have to bring it on the defensive end anyways.
Rather, Julius Randle has to be the scorer New York signed him to be. But now, he’s turned into a triple-double threat, adding ‘playmaker’ to his resume among other qualities.
And on January 27, the NBA announced All-Star voting would start on January 28 and run through February 16. Julius Randle could become the first New York Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony in 2017. Randle’s done more than enough to prove why he’s worthy of his first career All-Star game.