Disturbing questions surround Julius Randle after playoffs
MIAMI — There were a few strong moments, just not enough of them, from Julius Randle.
There were more poor, eyebrow-raising moments, old questions that are bound to get raised as the Knicks look to take the next step after they won a playoff series for the first time in a decade.
Randle’s return to the postseason certainly was an experience, one that ended on a sour note Friday night in a series-ending loss to the Heat in which he had as many turnovers, three, as made shots.
The playoffs began with uncertainty over Randle’s health status, and his sprained left ankle was a storyline for much of the postseason.
The playoffs ended with similar questions about Randle’s occasional indifference on defense and inconsistent play.
The Knicks needed a representative effort from him in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Heat, and his 3-for-14, 15-point showing wasn’t close to that in a heartbreaking loss.
Jalen Brunson, who scored 41 points and was heroic in defeat, was stranded on an island.
Julius Randle, battling for a rebound in the Knicks’ Game 6 loss to the Heat, had an uneven and inconsistent playoffs. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
“Obviously disappointed,” Randle said afterward. “Wanted more. Expected more.”
His performance this postseason wasn’t quite as bad as two years ago, when Randle’s struggles were the story of the Knicks’ five-game loss to the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs.
This time, he was surrounded by better talent, in particular an elite point guard in Brunson.
And Randle did help the Knicks win the opening-round series over the Cavaliers, while refusing to use the ankle injury as an excuse for any shortcomings.
On that iffy left ankle, he produced a strong Game 1 against the Cavaliers, a 19-point, 10-rebound, four-assist effort punctuated by a massive offensive rebound in the final seconds.
He reinjured the ankle during Game 5 against Cleveland, and missed the first game against the Heat as a result.
Maybe the conference semifinals would have gone differently had he been available for Game 1, which the Knicks lost at home.
Randle’s entire body of work this postseason, though, left a lot to be desired.
He averaged 16.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shot just 37.4 percent from the field. His 3.5 turnover average was an issue.
In five games against the Heat, Randle had 21 assists and 20 turnovers, a poor ratio.
Julius Randle looks to make a move on Jimmy Butler during the Knicks’ Game 6 season-ending loss. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Earlier, coach Tom Thibodeau benched him in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Cavaliers following an awful third quarter.
After the Knicks fell into a 3-1 hole to the Heat, Randle drew unwanted headlines for saying, “Maybe they want it more.” In typical Randle fashion, though, he responded with a strong Game 5 — 24 points, five rebounds and five assists — as the Knicks kept their season alive.
“Same thing as the season,” the 28-year-old Randle said, when asked to evaluate his postseason. “Some good moments, some moments to learn from. Just got to evaluate and move forward and see what you can do as an individual to help the team move forward.”
That wasn’t the same kind of accountability RJ Barrett showed during an emotional press conference in which he labeled his Game 6 performance as “terrible.”
Or Brunson’s repeated and unwarranted criticism of himself after losses.
Randle, it should be noted, remains a lightning rod among the fan base.
After a viewing party at the Garden, fans were filmed ripping up a Randle poster and stomping on it.
There was a photo that emerged of fans scribbling “trade me” on another Randle poster.
Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that overall, it was a strong season for Randle, who had a major bounce-back after a dismal 2021-22.
He reached the All-Star Game for a second time and was named to the All-NBA third team.
He averaged a career-best 25.1 points and was efficient in doing so, shooting an even 46 percent from the field.
He was a major factor in the Knicks’ surprising 47-35 regular season.
“Julius is still young — he’s going into his prime right now,” Thibodeau said. “So we’re looking forward to what’s coming next.”
Source: New York Post
