Julius Randle has been a magnet for criticism during his career, especially when he played in New York. The Timberwolves big man told Yahoo Sports’ Vince Goodwill that he tries to turn it into a positive.
“I’ve always used that as motivation, proving people wrong and stuff like that,” Randle said. “But it became more about proving myself right. That’s been the biggest adjustment and change in my mindset. Not that you don’t see it, pay attention to it. But it’s more about me than anyone else. I mean, I think that’s kind of been the maturity of my approach. I feel like the weight of the world’s off my shoulders because I’m just playing, having fun.”
Donte DiVincenzo, who was traded to Minnesota along with Randle, is impressed with how his teammate handles the negativity.
“To see him carry the load, night in and night out, everybody knows how much stuff he deals with, everybody knows how much flak he [catches], and he doesn’t let it faze him, he doesn’t let it bother him,” DiVincenzo said.
We have more on the Timberwolves:
- Anthony Edwards‘ positivity during the team flight prior to Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals went a long way toward getting the team to push past its 0-2 series deficit, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Edwards lifted the spirits of numerous teammates who were lamenting over the road defeats. “He always comes in a good mood and he’s always ready to go. He was one of the most positive voices after Game 2,” coach Chris Finch said. “The leadership that [Edwards] has shown this season is up by leaps and bounds. It’s just another example of it.”
- Jaden McDaniels fouled out of Game 1 and committed five fouls in Game 2. He only picked up two fouls in Game 3, as he did a better job of avoiding them while trying to help contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “Kept my hands out of his shooting motion, or just kept my hands off him at all. … He’ll use his arms to tangle in yours and my arms are so long, it’s like they be getting caught places I don’t even want them to be,” McDaniels said, per Chris Hine of the Star Tribune (Twitter link).
- Finch confirmed during his pregame press conference on Monday that rookie Terrence Shannon Jr., who scored 15 points in Game 3, would have a role in Game 4, Timberwolves reporter Dane Moore tweets. “I think there’s opportunity for him to have a spot in the rotation right now,” Finch said.
Ant seems to be sleep walking through the first half. Neither Randle or Ant playing much defense.
Need to put Rob Dillingham in at least a little bit. Need someone to break down the defense to open up game for Ant.
Love Rob to death but the dude is a cone on defense and turned the ball over way too much in the limited opportunity at this point he still needs plenty of development
Dillingham is not ready
The few times I Rob play in later part of year was he was just trying to facilitate. I think the need someone to break down Okc and draw some fouls. Like a change of pace. Donte isn’t really a point guard and is struggling to beat the D. Ant can’t seem to be able to drive much.
Even 5 minutes would be a jolt as Wolves seem a little sluggish.
AE The next who ?? next one to go yome…
41 mins, 16 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 5/13 FG …
Randle — 28 mins, 6 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
Lucky to lose by only 2 …..
Minny has no floor general. AE should not be playing the point …..
@KnickAl,
It wouldn’t have been that close if the refs hadn’t refused to call some of the most blatant/egregious moving and/or illegal screens by McDaniels and Gobert I ever saw.
Not only was the 1st screen illegal, but then they were allowed to keep blocking Dort and Caruso giving Ant and McDaniels open buckets.
OKC stayed strong under home cooking pressure.
Did you notice one of the TV broadcasters was cheering for T-wolves and they showed a clip of Gobert fouling Holmgren on a block call that would be easily called? She just praised Gobert ignoring the hand hitting the arm to cause the block shot. T-wolves were just getting home town calls and the same will happen for OKC next game.
ANY Oklahoma fan complaining about the refs should have his keyboard taken away. The refs have BLESSED Shai with his own whistle all the while SWALLOWING the whistle when OKC plays defense.
That is funny because I seen a lot of fouls not called on wolves too. Refs let them play in the playoffs and home teams get more calls go their way.
Traditionally home teams will get calls. Big stars also get calls. I think most teams understand that especially in playoffs. But you have to be consistent. With three refs you should be able to do a good job. People complain about Brunson all the time. He gets hand checked a lot. And it’s supposed to be illegal. Hand checking is only allowed in the post.
The moving picks are getting annoying lol. Even the hand checking. You can’t use your hands outside the paint.
They ste kit consistently called. Bothers me when. They hand chk on perimeter.
Some of the obvious travel calls not be called is annoying too. i feel the NBA needs to go through a long training this off season for Refs. What is a T what is not. What is a flagrant 1 or 2 and what is not. Its the inconsent calls that annoys the fans.
AW and Donte kept them in that game, Ant and Randle(benched late again) were shut down. Think this series is a wrap, doubt Minn bench can carry them on the road. They probably should find more minutes for Shannon too.
This series hopefully cements the idea that Wolves need to dump Randle. Terrible defender and 5 TO to go with 5pts.
Jalen Williams is by far the best player in this series. That is unless flopping is counted and then you can make a case for SGA. lol no one touches you and you flop on a 3pt attempt. Trash can.
No team is ever winning with Randle as their number one or two option.
He will fill the stat sheet but he doesn’t have killer instinct.
And Edwards rather talk than anything else.
First team all overrated…Beal,Randle, Gobert,Bam,Lavine…
As I said before the series started, Thunder in 5
I knew Wolves would lose when I saw Randle doing TV interview 10 minutes before the game. Kind of hard to have the necessary focus when you chatting with big Perk and Stephen A.
Yes that was strangeto do a chat right before tip off.
Julius Randle is a horrible basketball player. He kills his team’s momentum so many times with unnecessary shots, terrible defense and at times he tries to do too much for his own good. Anthony Edwards played the worst game by a superstar I’ve seen in a crucial playoff game since James Harden against Spurs 2017 WCF Semifinals G7. No aggressiveness, even when he passed the ball up, he never tried to get it back. He just looked like he was disinterested out there. Wolves wasted a masterclass by their bench with the way the starters played. This series is over. I had OKC in 6/7 but never anticipated or imagined Edwards/Randle killing their team like I witnessed last night.
I wouldn’t say Randle is a horrible player. He is mostly offensive player and rarely plays good defense. There was no motivation on the court by the stars. T-wolves should let Naz Reid and Randle go in the off season. Resign walker and take the money saved and get a strong PG to replace Conley.
I’d let Randle go before Naz Reid. Randle has a $30.9M player option next year, which he’ll most likely take. Naz has a $15M player option. They need another ball handler to go with Edwards. Dillingham isn’t ready yet with too many turnovers and they need a backup C as well.
Conley is resigned for 1 more year at $10.7M. I doubt anyone is taking that contract on their books.
Naz will not pick up his option being there is such of a lack of big men in FA market. Randle is hard to tell since its a weak FA market its a 50/50 chance he walks for a longer contract.