After averaging 25.1 points per game on a .459/.343/.757 shooting slash line and earning a third-team All-NBA berth last season, Knicks forward Julius Randle got off to a very slow start in 2023/24, averaging just 13.7 points in his first six games, with an abysmal .271/.225/.618 shooting line.
Multiple sources tell Stefan Bondy of The New York Post that Randle, who dealt with a couple left ankle sprains late in 2022/23 which later required arthroscopic surgery, was playing through ankle pain during that tough stretch and refused the team’s requests to rest.
“He’s too proud to sit,” a source told Bondy.
However, Randle’s ankle recently started to feel better, which has coincided with an uptick in production — he’s averaging 25.0 points on .425/.357/.786 shooting over the past two games, both victories. As Bondy writes, the 28-year-old will have three days of rest before the Knicks play again on Sunday.
Here are a few more notes from the Eastern Conference:
- Nets forward Cameron Johnson is on the verge of returning to action after missing the past seven games with a left leg injury. He’s probable for Friday’s matchup in Boston, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Meanwhile, on the Run Your Race podcast with Theo Pinson, Johnson revisited the February trade that sent him from Phoenix to Brooklyn, as Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily relays.
- First-round pick Jaime Jaquez is earning an increased role with the Heat, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, who notes that more playing time could be available with Tyler Herro expected to miss multiple weeks with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. In Wednesday’s matchup with Memphis, Jaquez played the entire fourth quarter, providing the team solid defense and recording eight points on 3-of-3 shooting, including a three-pointer that sealed the win late. “I just keep trying to make him trust me more,” Jaquez said of head coach Erik Spoelstra. “Keep making him proud. Try not to mess it up. That’s kind of where I’m at right now.”
- Hornets guard James Bouknight has been cleared for basketball activities after a positive follow-up exam, per Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Bouknight, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024 after the Hornets declined their fourth-year team option on the former lottery pick.
It’s only 6 gms, I know. Still good to see it going in the right direction. All the RJ nons here. All the fast food fans. Who think a player develops overnight. Who kill kids who are 19-23 yrs old. Swallow this …….
RJ 23 yrs old – 31.2 mins, 22.3 pts
474% FG, 471% 3pt, 87% FT
Most of you here need to learn instead of hate. Especially if you are here as a basketball fan. Developing into a real player. Specialist, rotation, starter, star, mega star takes time. It’s not talent alone.
I’m not even a Kobe fan. Mamba mentality is a real thing. Not everyone has it. Let them fail on their terms. What is the need to rush it.
#1 pick – Zion …. can’t keep his weight right. Is hurt again. The Mega star who doesn’t play. Only gets paid.
#2 pick – Morant …. Kid that can’t handle money and fame. Still plays with guns. Doesn’t understand the commitment to his team, franchise, or himself.
#3 pick – RJ ….. all he does is work every yr to get better. If you know his career. You know he’s gotten better every year. I’m just glad we drafted him. A kid who wants to grow up to be a baller. The best he can be …..
All I know is. These last two wins. I’ve seen good ball movement. Solid team D. And the team depth show up. Still need a backup to Randle. When it comes to Julius. I trust Thibs.
Doubling of Randle and Brunson. Can still hurt the Knicks. You know who fixes this for me (DeM DeR). RJ has to be big this yr. For this team to make progress.
While Embiid keeps popping up as a Knicks target, they should be eyeing both Siakam and OG. They have salaries and picks to swing both.
Randle, Fournier, Quickley, and a handful of FRPs.
Robinson, Siakam, OG, RJ, Brunson. Pretty decent squad.
They also have zero chance of getting Embiid. Mitchell and KAT are possibilities, but unlikely.
Knicks can also afford to reup both players.
Embiid is not a target. KAT is not a target. Both would deplete the team of talent. Absolutely makes no sense. Sixers would never do it, not to NY. Minny would ask for whole team. Don’t believe everything you read. Most is blank space.
This team with more experience is going to be better than last yrs top 4 team. That’s what you do. You build what you got. And wait it out. Rudy is better for Knicks than KAT and cheaper. Imo Knicks will wait till trade deadline. You know who I want. DeM DeR. I believe we can get DeRozan and Rudy. And not sell the house ….
I know you love DeMar DeRozan but I would not want him if I was a Knicks fan. It’d be like having Julius Randle on the wing.
He gets you third Team all League, 25 points a game, but he will not deliver you to the promised land. As in Toronto for 8 years, he will leave you disappointed. So much skill, never complains, tries hard, but he can’t get it done.
Randle is on the wing. When he is on it’s all good. When he is off, he pouts. DeM is the clutch guy we need. He’s another more confident scorer. And he’s a player Randle will respect. DeM makes everyone better. He’s the star that fits our team. Gets it off the system. And plays team D. He is what I consider a perfect fit. It’s all about getting better.
The play the other night where Randle complained and gave up on defense after not getting the ball in the last minute was inexcusable. I lost whatever shred of respect I had for him left.