All-Star Knicks power forward Julius Randle provided a terse response when asked about being sat for the entire fourth quarter of the team’s Game 4 victory over the Cavaliers, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post.
“We won the game,” he offered after the game. “You know, I’m a competitor. Obviously I would like to play, but like I said it’s [head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s] decision.”
Thibodeau felt that Randle is still dealing with the effects of a sprained left ankle. The 6’8″ big man scored just seven points while shooting 3-of-10 from the field.
“He had to do a lot to get back to play,” Thibodeau remarked. “So you’re talking about a quick turnaround from a late Friday night game to early Sunday… But he’s got a couple of days to recharge. He’s bouncing around today pretty good, which is what we thought. I felt he would be impacted in that game.”
New York currently leads the Cavaliers 3-1 in their first round series. A potential closeout game is scheduled for tonight.
There’s more out of New York:
- Thibodeau has restored his reputation as an elite NBA coach thanks to his performance during the 2022/23 regular season and now the playoffs, opines Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. The Knicks’ third-year had coach made some major lineup adjustments in early December, emphasizing high-upside youth over some of his previously preferred veterans.
- By employing Knicks swingmen RJ Barrett and Josh Hart as the primary screeners in pick-and-roll actions with star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have been able to keep the Cavaliers’ intimidating starting fronctourt away from the ball and stuck near the baseline, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post.
- A rival NBA coach spoke with Fred Katz of The Athletic about how Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has enjoyed so much success in the series so far. “I think the matchup helps him because he’s never gonna guard any stretch bigs against the Cavs,” the coach said. “He’s gonna be on [Jarrett] Allen. He’s gonna be on [Evan] Mobley. He can be in the paint and do what he does best. I think it’ll be interesting to see when, if they advance, if they play a big who’s more of a stretch big, how they handle it. But I think the matchup helps.”
Randle one of my favorite players. But at times he presses hard. This was a good move by Thibs injury or not. It’s something coaches nowadays are afraid to do. This allows players, especially stars to sit back, reevaluate, settle themselves and learn.
Love the Allen vs Mitch matchup
Every one said the Cavalier’s twin towers had the edge in this series but Money Mitch and I Hart are putting on a clinic against these two bigs. Mitch and I Hart are destroying these two guys who are tall but light in the ass. Let’s go Knicks. Let’s pull the plug tonight on this Cavalier’s team that has no answer for Jalen Big Buckets Brunson who has clearly been the best playa in this series and the second year straight he has out played the so called superstar Donovan Mitchell who never became a Knick. Mark Cuban and Dallas Mavericks fans are punching the air as we speak as Luka and their rental Kyrie Irving are on vacation.
Elite?!?! Lmao hardly. Thibs has never won a damn thing.
He just got our beloved NY Knicks out of the first round of the playoffs where we finished a gentlemans sweep of the Cavs who put up as much of a fight as 85 year old man looking for his dentures. As much as we have criticized This he has got this team to the playoffs twice in his tenure so apparently he is doing something right . And we have a elite Point guard that is turning into a bonefide star right in front of our eyes in Jalen Big Buckets Brunson.
Knicks D has been better. Than the best D team in NBA …. That’s been the difference.
Knicks are not just Randle offense. This is a total team effort. And that’s on the coach …
“In Thibs we Trust” ……
Knicks are growing up. And growing chemistry. Nice to see a REBUILD go right. Let’s do this
Cavs better wake up. Knicks too physical lols. Knicks growing up. You knew Quickley would break out.
Big Al don’t waste your time with these delusional fans or haters of the Knicks. We just smoked a team that was tops in Offense and Defense and got the gentlemans sweep thanks to Leon Rose and the front office and Thibs who is coaching his ass off . Let’s be honest the free agent signing that wasn’t a splash because everyone wanted Spider was the best player in this series along with Money Mitch,Josh Heart ,RJ Barrett,Obi,and tonight we had a IQ sighting thank God. Like u said all these not so sexy moves are coming to fruition and this team is a dangerous team when u got a hungry Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson aka the Body Snatchers grabbing rebounds like it’s going out of style . This team is for real and no longer the laughing stock of the NBA so we can get to the Eastern Conference finals and these clowns will still try to Hate. We are one player away from being a team to make it to the Finals. But Al your spot on brother.
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Wat just happened ????????
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For all the colorful geniuses……. KnicksGenius
HowULikeUsNoW …….
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