Top 5 Reasons For The New York Knicks Successful Season
By James Ryder
The Knicks have a bonafide star in Julius Randle
Yup, we’re entering the part of the article where it gets a bit hot take-y. But I’ll explain as we go along.
Julius Randle’s second season for the Knicks hasn’t just been one of the best by a player wearing the uniform in a couple of years, it’s been one of the best seasons a Knick has had ever, period. Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post wrote about his historic season, noting Randle has certainly had a top-tier season among some of the all-time great Knicks. Here’s a quote for some insight on how amazing Randle’s numbers have been:
"Knicks fans have seen Randle play 71 out of 72 games this year. In a league that has made “load-management” part of the unfortunate national lexicon – and for a team that so desperately needed his presence every night – that alone would be an impressive place to start. And then you move on to the Other Stuff: 24.1 points per game, a career high by nearly 3 PPG. 10.2 rebounds per game, matching his career high. 6.0 assists per game, nearly doubling his previous high. a shooting line of .456/.411/.811; the latter two are career highs and it’s not close. 6 triple-doubles this year, half his career total, two behind Walt Frazier’s club record."
Randle will definitely finish in the top 10 in MVP voting, if not top 5. He all but secured the Most Improved Player Award months ago. He is one of five players who averaged at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The other four? Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Russell Westbrook. He tied with Draymond Green for 7th in triple-doubles on the year with 6 total. That trails only Sabonis, Giannis, Jokic, Westbrook, Luka Doncic and James Harden.
Randle firmly established himself as an all-star and as one of the most elite all-around players in the game. How many guys have made such a leap in their 7th NBA season? Randle has been nothing short of sensational, but only two other things have meant just a bit more to the team this season.