After a slow start to the season, Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle says he’s not concerned with the reactions from the media or fans, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
I really don’t give a f— what anybody has to say, to be honest,” Randle said Wednesday. “I’m out there playing. Nobody knows the game out there better than I do, compared to what everybody has to say. So I really don’t give a s—. I just go out there and play.”
Randle scored 30 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and dished out four assists in New York’s 104-94 victory over Indiana on Tuesday, his first game back after contracting COVID-19. His season averages of 19.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 4.9 APG on .423/.327/.767 shooting are down from last season’s All-Star campaign, when he averaged 24.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 6.0 APG on .456/.411/.811 shooting.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- In a member-only article for the New York Post, Marc Berman spoke to NBA experts to explore what has been hindering Obi Toppin‘s three-point shot. The second-year forward has carved out a rotational role off the bench this season, but is shooting just 21.1% from deep on 1.7 attempts per game.
- Free agent addition Evan Fournier had been struggling of late, but coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t consider sending him to the bench, according to Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post. “Not really,” Thibodeau said Wednesday, when asked if he had considered trying Fournier with the second unit. Never known for his defense, Fournier was shooting a career-low 40.3% from the field through 37 games this season, all starts. “Even when he’s not shooting, he spaces the floor for us, so I do like that aspect,” Thobodeau said. “The one thing [is] about trying to get our second unit to stay intact as much as we can. Those guys have played really well together for a while now.” Fournier justified Thibodeau’s faith by erupting for 41 points against Boston on Thursday.
- Thibodeau was a driving force behind the team signing Fournier in the offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who explores moves the Knicks might consider making at the trade deadline. Fischer notes that the Knicks have had internal discussions about acquiring Ben Simmons, but they’ve never called the Sixers with any type of deal structure, according to league sources. Fischer also writes that freeing a roster spot by becoming involved in the Rajon Rondo trade gives New York added flexibility ahead of the deadline.
- In order for the Knicks to become a legitimate title contender, the team needs 21-year-old RJ Barrett to develop into a star, Ian O’Connor of the New York Post opines. Like Randle, Barrett had a strong performance on Tuesday, scoring 32 points, but his shooting percentages are down this season compared to last. Barrett banked in a game-winning three at the buzzer to beat the Celtics 108-105 on Thursday night.
lmao the Knicks aren’t going to acquire Ben Simmons
What’s funny about that? The article didn’t suggest they would. Maybe you’re just easily amused. I’m jealous.
I don’t think anybody is acquiring Ben Simmons, cus your GM is an overweight moron who got his feelings hurt and is now actively sabotaging the situation by asking for ridiculous returns in exchange for Ben.
Fat-shaming I’m the comments section. Never change, homie.
Members only for Berman?— talk about lmao
It’s a good thing Toppin worked on his overall floor game (apparently, instead of the deep shot)… because some fans were questioning his NBA status on that basis. Maybe next year the 3ptr!
Had the same reaction about Berman hahaha. You’d have to pay ME to read something he’s written, not the other way around.
Not a good look for Julius and doing the Baez may just land him elsewhere as well. He should have dominated the Celtics the entire game, rather than relying on a Fournier miracle performance. How about Julius and Knox to the Kings for Fox and Barnes or Bagley plus whoever else or picks that would need to be included
Agreed … Cannot build around Julius
The problem is who would take him? Dude disappeared as soon as the playoffs started last year and it’s carried over into this year. And as much as I hate reading body language, he looks absolutely uninterested in playing good basketball most of the time now, which is a switch from how he looked last year.
Tobias Harris … maybe
Agreed the body language is not a good sign
And, frankly, neither is the history of above average guys having an outstanding season in their mid to late twenties, getting paid, and never returning to that peak.
The 23M he’s owed next year doesn’t look too bad even with his current stats, but paying him 29M in 25-26 would give me pause if I was an acquiring team.
IMO, his 3P% is the key. If he can shoot 35-38% then I think, with 20-10-5, you can make an argument he’s a legit #2 on a contender. If not he poses the same fit issues as D Sabonis, just with a larger paycheck
“Thibodeau was a driving force behind the team signing Fournier in the offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who explores moves the Knicks might consider making at the trade deadline.”
Kind of what was expected, also kind of not good especially considering Thib’s history as a GM. Knicks fans better hope the front office chooses to mostly ignore his input next time around.
Good win tonight, though!
Nice win for Knicks over Boston. Like I’ve said since he was a Magic. And going to be a FA. Need to sign Fournier. Cause he’s a 20 point scorer, as a shooter. Which we need desperately and he spaces the floor. Well he put up 41 tonight (thankU).
Randles yr is rough so far. So of course Berman of the Post. Will just add on and rag on him. He’s like the Haters on here. Who can’t criticize using basketball knowledge. So just spout hate and anger. Gotta love the internet.
link to nypost.com
Randle is having a rough year. But his stats are still good. Imo he’s pressing too much. His D is worse. But whole team D has been bad compared to last year. This is on Thibs.
Randle better not get it on with fans. Cause they will not let him forget, if Knicks don’t make playoffs. He shouldn’t go there, not wise.
Time to start a winning streak. It’s crazy Knicks have a losing record at MSG.
“Trust in Thibs” NYK
“Cause he’s a 20 point scorer”
In reality, he’s never averaged 20 ppg and is currently averaging 14 points a game. He’s not a 20 point scorer, as much as we all wish he was.
Evan is playing awful, he is a better player, in vacuum, than he is right now. I blame Thibs and Randle for his poor performance. But still, considering this, he wasn’t and isn’t the knicks savior.
Knicks and no team can be a contender if Fournier is the second offensive option.
As bad as Randle has played he has every right to tell these obnoxious Knicks fans to shut the F up. That’s why most stars don’t even want to play for these arogant fickle Knicks fans who love you one minute than they throw you under the bus the next. They did it to Patrick Ewing until he was traded and we have been cursed every since. He is probably upset at the social media bashing of him when he was placed in the Covid Health and Safety protocols where people were joking about him. This is NY and this is why no dam Superstars want to play for our beloved NY Knicks just ask Kevin Durant Kyrie Irving Lebron James and the list goes on. Alot of Knick fans are delusional even though we have suffered so long as the laughing stock of the NBA.
Fournier has won where? He played well for once. Wish they never wasted the $$$ on him.
Lmao. Fournier has all 30 plus points vs Celtics. Celtics suck at D. Fournier can’t score vs other teams.
It’s true. Get a little physical with him at the beginning of the game and it throws him off. He’s a bench scorer otherwise a liability when getting starter minutes.
Randle is just sooo right, players mustn’t ever care ’bout what fans or pundits think ’bout them!
I loved his thumbs down sign to shut the Knicks fans booing the team, that was a legendary moment!
I bet, sadly some fans will be upset, like if they have the right to do or say whatever they want, the cheek of some people!
Go JR, you tell them, they need putting in their place, which is to pay & shut up!
I agree with the thumbs down in that he has been the most consistent Knick for the past two seasons and he has a right too his opinion with the thumbs down,but than so does the fans have a right to their opinion even if their wrong,this is America we all have a right to opinion it’s called the First Amendment.
Knicks need RJ to leapfrog over Randle and be the main guy. Randle can be a solid support player with good stats, but can be shut down if he’s the main focus. And based on how RJ came out of HS and college, the expectations based on his talent should be of that – a lead or at least ‘Pippin-esq.’ 20/8/4 should be the stat line/avg. Time to challenge and squeeze out some of that talent.
Thibs was NOT the driving force beyond signing Fournier. To the contrary, he wanted Bullock back, and campaigned for it (perhaps overly so). Bullock or not, Thibs had to be sold on Fournier, and, for better or worse, he is (or was) friends with Clifford who apparently vouched for Fournier’s toughness and work ethic. Nothing about his feet though. Interestingly, Clifford took a job with BKN almost immediately after directing the Knicks to (or sticking the Knicks with) Fournier.
Knicks have a lot invested in Fournier. He got the one 3 year FA deal we were handing out, and is thus on the payroll in 2023-24 (just he and Randle right now). Not the direction I would have gone with that money, but what’s done is done. Nobody has ever questioned his shot. It should get better from here.
Other than Rose and Gibson, the guys on the roster that Thibs was influential in the Knicks’ initially acquiring were Quickley, Grimes and McBride.