NBA Playoffs: 3 X-Factor Knicks that could surprise us, 2 that could fall flat

Julius Randle could have a repeat playoff performance

We all know just how amazing of a season Julius Randle has had. Not only did he make his second All-Star team, but he very well could make yet another All-NBA team. Despite this, fans are still rather worried about how this play will hold up in the postseason, especially given his sprained left ankle that could keep him sidelined into the playoffs.

Randle has been better and more consistent this season than in 2020-21, and the addition of Jalen Brunson will lessen the offensive load on his shoulders that he had to deal with in the Knicks’ last playoff matchup, but there are still concerns to be had.

In the aforementioned series against the Hawks, Randle averaged 18.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting a horrific 29.8% from the field and 33.3% from deep on 6.6 attempts, making for an all-time collapse by a star player.

Alongside this, he has been far from perfect and has had his fair share of poor performances that are reason enough to be worried about the playoffs.

Hopefully, the addition of Brunson alongside the incredible play of the aforementioned X-Factors will make things easier for Randle this time around, but fans are still going to be concerned about his level of play in the postseason until he shows us that we shouldn’t be.