Knicks: 4 Expectations for an improved Julius Randle in 2022-23
By James Nolan
A lot of notable NBA media personalities are already writing the New York Knicks off as a play-in team at best. After last season, it is expected that the Knicks won’t be regarded highly, but they still are better than a play-in team.
Let’s be real. Everything that went wrong last season went wrong. Alec Burks was the starting point guard, and that alone should tell you how wacky 2021-22 was. When Kemba Walker signed with the Knicks, everyone expected him to be something close to his former self, and he was nothing close to that.
Injuries also plagued the Knicks’ season. Teams adjusted to Julius Randle being the only scoring option. Outside of him and RJ Barrett, no one could really generate any offense on a consistent basis. Now with a new and improved roster, Randle can focus on being efficient and playing physical again. He also won’t garner as much attention with Jalen Brunson and an improved Barrett.
The power forward can still be an All-Star with New York and help them more than people might think. In the preseason, he has looked stellar playing with this new-look roster. His turnovers are down and his percentages are up. His defense is also looking better, along with his overall demeanor on the court. Randle looks like he wants to be in New York, and most importantly, he wants to win.
For him to return to form, however, he’ll need to do these things.
4 ways Julius Randle can have an improved season with Knicks in 2022-23
4. Julius Randle and the Knicks need to forget last season
Randle went into last season expecting to take a backseat and play more off-ball if it meant more wins. The fact of the matter is that Kemba wasn’t what he used to be, Derrick Rose got hurt, and the losses started to come.
The season prior, Randle carried the Knicks and wanted to get back to those ways midseason. Unfortunately, the lightning wasn’t striking twice and the former MIP wasn’t enjoying the hate from the fans.
At the end of the day, though, Randle wants to win. Despite everything that occurred last season, fans and Randle himself need to just forget about it. The fact is, Jalen Brunson is 10 times better of a player than Kemba Walker is, and fans are already noticing that in the preseason. Brunson is simply the best thing that has happened to New York in a long time. They found their floor general.
Randle expressed his willingness to accept the fact that he won’t be getting the ball as much last season when Kemba signed. He needs to have that same attitude with Brunson’s arrival.
The young players on the Knicks roster have bought into winning, and if Randle buys back in, then New York could overachieve again.