Julius Randle was among several Timberwolves players involved in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, and the speculation — combined with the disappointment of not making the All-Star team — seemed to weigh on him in recent weeks, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
“Julius is a guy who plays with his heart on his sleeve,” head coach Chris Finch said. “He was kind of not himself recently. … He’s so important for us in so many ways. We just need him to come back to the pack, if you will.”
The veteran power forward had a triple double (18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) in Monday’s victory over Atlanta and followed that up with what Krawczynski calls his best performance of the season in Wednesday’s win over Portland, finishing with 41 points (23 in the fourth quarter) and seven rebounds while being locked in on defense. Randle’s teammates know they need the forward to be at his best to make another deep playoff run.
“It gets everybody going. He can get as many triple-doubles as anybody,” Naz Reid said. “He plays fast, plays strong, spaces the floor, he gets everybody else involved. I think that’s the key to winning, as well, just being super aggressive while also making sure everybody around you comes with you.”
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- While Ayo Dosunmu has quickly made a strong impression with the team’s fans, Krawczynski expects Donte DiVincenzo to remain in Minnesota’s starting lineup. As Krawczynski writes, DiVincenzo isn’t a traditional point guard, but he brings consistent effort, energy and competitiveness, and has been a key member of a starting unit which ranks among the best in the league. The 29-year-old also has outstanding on/off numbers this season, Krawczynski notes.
- Dosunmu has helped unlock transition offense opportunities for Jaden McDaniels by constantly pushing the pace, Krawczynski adds. Finch wants McDaniels to attempt at least 10 shots per game, which has been an issue at times, but Dosunmu could help change that. “It’s been pretty good. He’s coming from Chicago, which plays super fast,” McDaniels said. “I know that some plays, he’s outrunning all of us. He’s helping us run, he’s helping us get better. I just like the energy he brings and the effort.”
- There has been a “collective weight” on the Timberwolves this season that wasn’t present in years past, according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune, who wonders how far the team will need to advance in the postseason to alleviate that pressure.
“We need him to come back to the pack, if you will.”
Nicely done Coach. He had to!
Randle is a drama Queen. Has always felt unappreciated. Grow up man. Start winning and you will all the attention you want. Randle is a worker. To be successful he has to outwork the other players. Unfortunately he is still learning to use his teammates to help him do that. Minny has the depth now. To make a run at West Finals. They all have to be locked in and play as a team.
With Ayo here they are deep now. And if they play as a team not as individuals. They can go far. I would start Ayo at PG. Donte as my third guard. And Reid as my first big off bench. Ayo is a good ball handler. And will keep AE fresher to close gms. This team is ready imo.
he’s done an awful lot of winning, and I really don’t hear much complaining from him. they were a playoff bubble team before the trade that brought him here and have made the wcf twice since. the article made it sound like the idea of having to leave the Wolves was weighing on him, not that he was feeling disrespected/underappreciated.
You see it in his actions. He is not always locked in. He even sulks on the floor at times. Thats where you see it. Like article says. Not making all star team weighed on him. He’s not al all star this yr. Who cares. Just get to West finals. Why is this even a subject. Thats just drama.
He’s already been to the west finals. We wouldn’t have gotten there without him last season. He was our best, most consistent playoff performer.
Minny is a better team than any Knick team Randle was on. As the article says. He was affected by not being an all star. That’s drama no team needs. In NY we know that all too well. TWolves got beat in 5 games in West Finals. And you won’t do much better this year. If Randle is more concerned about things outside the game. Tell why he has been in trade rumors for practically his whole Minny career. Even just now this TD. I am telling what he needs to do. To win there. I am not against him. I just know him better than Minny does.
Randle being concerned about not being an all star will undoubtedly have no effect on how far the Timberwolves go in the playoffs.
He has been the subject of trade rumors because he is a tier below some of the elite players Minnesota could potentially acquire. That’s just common sense.
You really have a hard time understanding don’t you. Let me simplify for you. Randle is a drama queen. And you got no common sense. Trade rumors only add to his drama. What part of that don’t you get. No one cares what you do with him or not. You don’t even know him. I just told you Thibs made him. I have followed him since the draft. And by tge way you talk. You really don’t know who he is ss a pkayer or individual. You should search his history in NY.
That didn’t simplify things at all. If anything you were more cryptic after saying that lmao. I don’t know him? Ok and what are you, his best friend? hahaha.
I’m not sure why you’re so worked up about Randle, but it’s clear he lives rent free in your head. Just because there was a tiny amount of drama in NY doesn’t mean that’s translated to Minnesota (which it clearly hasn’t, you’re just bitter, obviously).
And cool that you’ve followed him since the draft–I saw him play once in high school, live at the Elite 24 game, and watched him play nearly a dozen times at Kentucky, so what’s your point about following him since the draft? Everything about your comment was useless.
Actually the Wolves made the Western Conference finals one with KAT and once with Randle. Before they acquired Brunson though the only halfway decent Knicks since Melo was led by Randle.
Thibs made Randle lol. OK he backed him when nobody wanted him. Randle worked for him and made himself into an all star. NY didn’t give him love or his props. Always in trade rumors. And blamed for loses. He was thin skinned for NY. He’s vetter iff in Minny away from the light. Yet he still wants the attention. He will never win if he stays like that. Just play
So sad they couldn’t dump Randle for GA, maybe this summer they can get rid of Mr. Turnover Machine
I can’t see us actually making a move for Giannis.