The three-point shot has arguably been the area where New York Knicks‘ All-Star Julius Randle has improved the most this year. If you go back to last season, Julius Randle made 64 three-pointers in 64 games. This year he has 67 in just 35 games. We have gone from closing our eyes, shaking our heads, and praying Julius Randle made a three-pointer to now expecting it and relying on it.
Julius Randle’s three-point shooting hasn’t only benefitted his own game, earning his first All-Star selection, but the Knicks as a whole, and it’s clear to see. RJ Barrett has also made a strong leap in performance from last season and it comes from Julius Randle’s improved shooting. RJ Barrett is a slasher who is best going downhill towards the rim, and this style of play needs floor space, which Julius Randle creates with his respectable jump shot.
Julius Randle’s improved three-point efficiency has also given Tom Thibodeau the freedom of coming up with two extremely effective lineups. In today’s NBA if you as a team don’t shoot the ball well from three, you will lose games. While the Knicks aren’t necessarily the best scoring team in the league, they shoot the ball well and consistently. When the starting five which includes Julius Randle comes off the floor, the Knicks don’t miss a beat with three-point shooting. Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks offer that same threat which causes frustration from opposing teams.
Knicks’ Julius Randle has dominated the competition
Julius Randle has bolstered up nearly every aspect of his game, earning the first All-Star selection of his career. But what is hands down the most remarkable and impressive, is his leap from shooting 28% to 42% from behind the arc, and it has completely changed how the Knicks game plan.
As much as Knicks fans would like to not remember last season, we do, and Randle used to be turning the ball over or making horrendous passes what seemed like every other offensive possession. Part of the reason Randle was making those woeful decisions was because of the fact that defenses knew he wasn’t a threat from three and dared him to shoot, giving him a disrespectful amount of open space.
Now that Randle has developed a consistent three-point shot, it causes opposing defenders to guard him closely, allowing Randle to blow by them with ease. This also allows the rest of the offense to get open for uncontested shots, as Randle beats his defender, help defense is forced to collapse on him making other Knicks wide open.
At a young age basketball players are taught to be in a “triple threat” position, meaning always give yourself the opportunity to shoot, pass, or dribble and Julius Randle is such a prime example of not only how important that is, but how effective it can be too. Without Randle, the Knicks would be in deep, deep trouble. Possible MVP maybe?? Kidding… not really though, he should be in the conversation.
Julius Randle’s play has helped many of his Knick teammates, including prized sophomore RJ Barrett
As I explained before, Julius Randle has changed the way the Knicks approach each offensive possession. Because Randle is so dangerous with the ball, defenders have to respect him by guarding him so tightly.
A player who has benefitted the most from Randle’s offensive surge is Knicks sophomore, RJ Barrett. Barrett is a strong, athletic, intelligent basketball player who can often get to the rim with ease.
As Barrett continues to get games under his NBA belt, we see him drive successfully more and more. A huge reason we didn’t see this from Barrett last year was that the paint was so clogged with not only defenders but our own players! *cough Julius cough Randle*.
Now, Randle is dragging out defenders, causing lanes to be wide open for players like RJ Barrett to take advantage of. Between the chemistry, mutual respect, and overall talent, Randle and Barrett seem to be clicking and showing no signs of slowing down. Both players bring a level of commitment to both sides of the ball that is infectious for their teammates.
As long as the Knicks keep up this level of play, I wouldn’t be surprised if other players around the NBA begin to ponder the thought of teaming up with Randle and Barrett. The duo of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett is starting to cause legit worry for other teams who come up against them.
Julius Randle’s lasting impact on the Knicks
The New York Knicks are not world-class scorers by any means, but the two units they put out there on the floor are playing efficient basketball. With Thibodeau’s starting five, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett take on the bulk of the scoring, and when the second unit gives them a rest, Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks take on that scoring responsibility.
Julius Randle’s increased scoring ability, especially from three has given Tom Thibodeau the ability to keep scorers on the floor at all times during a game.
The recent rage from Knicks fans has been the question of “Why is Immanuel Quickley not in the starting five!”? While he certainly has the skillsets to be a starter, it is my personal opinion, and clearly, Thibodeau’s as well, that Quickley is better off the bench.
Now if Randle had not improved his game, which is something I do not want to even imagine, Quickley without a doubt would be a starter for the Knicks solely for the reason he would be the main three-point shooting threat. But thankfully Julius Randle is an All-Star who has a great three-point shot and Immanuel Quickley, who could be the steal of the 2020 draft is just as good from three, making Tom Thibodeau’s job much easier.
In fact, Randle’s improved jump shot has the Knicks as a top eleven team in terms of average three-point percentage per game, which is a huge increase from last season considering they finished ranking number 27 in the league.