Why The New York Knicks should keep Julius Randle this season

Randle’s impact on the Knicks

While Randle deserves so much credit, the coaching staff deserves some as well for his overall play. Coach Tom Thibodeau has put Randle in a position for him to succeed, trusting him to lead the team not only on the floor but off the floor as well.

Assistant coach Kenny Payne has also been a key reason for Randle’s success this season. Payne is a familiar face since he was an assistant at the University of Kentucky, and was known for developing the big men. Payne is apart of Randle’s pregame ritual and helps him get better, which in the end makes the entire team better.

When the Knicks drafted Obi Toppin, many questioned how the two would work and fit together, and would it create some kind of tension. Right now, Toppin himself would say he is thankful to have Randle as a mentor to him as a rookie. Toppin not only gets to learn how to get better every day from Randle, but he also gets to learn how to be a professional off the court.

Randle against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday had the best game of his career, scoring 44 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, while also knocking down a career-high seven three-pointers, and helped the Knicks now hold the 6th spot in the eastern conference while beating a team who is also competing for the playoffs.

The last time a Knicks player scored over 40 points in a game was Trey Burke back in the 2017-2018 season.

That game against the Hawks basically showed what Randle has done successfully all season but in one game. He scored but picked his spots. He rebounded well and made key passes, such as the assist to RJ Barrett late in the fourth quarter to close out the game.

Randle obviously isn’t a perfect player and isn’t the 1st option on a championship team, but that still doesn’t deny how impactful he has been all season long. He proved the doubters wrong and has a chance to be an All-Star this season.