Julius Randle tells us how Knicks fans are the best in the NBA
By Adam Kester
Julius Randle is pouring his heart and soul into this Knicks’ team
Randle explained how terrible he felt about his first season in New York. It wasn’t just about his own game, he felt like he was letting the city down, and it ate at him. It drove him to put in the physical work in the gym and the mental work off the court to grow into the leader of the Knicks.
The new coaching staff continued to embrace Randle, but they also helped changed his game for the betterment of the team. Randle still gets up the most shots on the team and has the highest usage rate, except this season it’s translating into efficient production and most importantly, wins. Randle is 11th in the NBA in VORP (Value over replacement player). He’s among the best players in the game.
Randle’s individual play has obviously led the Knicks to improved basketball, but he wants to make sure things are set up for the future. He’s been vocal about how much he loves his younger Knicks teammates: Obi Toppin, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. He’s tried to instill his work ethic into the younger guys, and it’s working.
"…If I’m telling you my main goals, and what’s been the most satisfying for me this season — it’s where we are in the standings. Now, don’t get me wrong…. it’s not where we want to be yet. It’s not where I’m hoping we can get to over the second half. But if you’re trying to make a change, then you have to start somewhere. And I think this is that start."
This is why fans are feeling so confident. This is why fans have been going crazy in the streets. It’s why they despise anyone who tries to jump ship on the team.
knicks fans are chanting mvp for every Knick that goes to the line and they were outside the garden celebrating an 18-17 record like it was a title and they’ve earned that right
— jason concepcion (@netw3rk) March 2, 2021
The city has wanted this so badly for so long – It’s not just .500 basketball, but a feeling of security that the Knicks’ future is in good hands. The Knicks are winning, they have assets for the future, cap flexibility, and a leader who won’t back down from anything. Julius Randle knows that making the Knicks into a perennial contender is the biggest challenge in the league. He knows how important this is for the city.