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Bleacher Report lazily labels Julius Randle as most “overrated”

By Max Hoover

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 13, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 110-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 13, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 110-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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As far as ‘Knicks for Clicks’ goes, Bleacher Report is pulling out all the stops after ranking Julius Randle as one of the most overrated players of the last 10 years. Even the staunchest hater must admit that this is an extreme characterization.

Bleacher Report admits in the introduction of this piece that these types of articles are “entirely subjective.” That feels like free rein to take aim at their claims if I’ve ever heard it.

Bleacher Report lists Knicks’ Julius Randle as one of the five most overrated players of the last 10 years

Randle is discussed last on a list that includes Avery Bradley, Jamal Crawford, DeMar DeRozan, and DeAndre Jordan. Bleacher Report argues that Randle belongs on this list because he is one of only six players all-time to average 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the same season (the others on the list are Oscar Robertson, Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Larry Bird, and Wilt Chamberlain — all “surefire” Hall of Famers), but he has a career net rating of -4.6.

The biggest issue here is Randle’s status. Bleacher Report is doing the only overrating that’s happening. Despite their current feelings, every Knicks fan loved the 2020-2021 season and the joy it brought. Still, no Knicks fan is putting Randle on par with the players on that list.

But that’s the whole thing with this list. Instead of aiming for some of the NBA’s top talent, Bleacher Report took the safe route by highlighting five players who have never been consistently considered in the top 25 in the league.

The fact that they mentioned Westbrook’s name in the same section where they described Randle as someone who “piles up raw numbers” is Shakespeare-level irony. One of the two times that Westbrook hit the 24, 10, and six mark, his team won 48 games and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Combine that with his salary, and shouldn’t he at least be considered on this list?

Randle was drafted eighth overall, tied with Crawford for the highest pick of any player on the list. Shouldn’t someone like Andrew Wiggins deserve consideration based on his pedigree? He was drafted first overall, has a career negative net rating and BPM, and is being paid more than Randle next season.

What about James “I disappear when a playoff series is on the line” Harden? A former MVP who has never played in the NBA Finals and has earned $268 million in career earnings isn’t more overrated than Randle and his 82 overall 2K ranking?

Fans may have wanted Randle off the roster for a year but calling him one of the most overrated players of the decade is utter nonsense that was published just to get clicks from Knicks fans.

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