- Knicks’ Julius Randle’s wife responds to criticism of postgame kiss USA TODAY
- Julius Randle’s wife, Kendra, responds to Kenyon Martin’s displeasure of kiss after playoff win Fox News
- Kenyon Martin Has Big Problem With Julius Randle’s Post-Game Kiss, Says Knicks Star Needs To Pick Guys Over Wives OutKick
- Kendra Randle responds to Kenyon Martin’s criticism of her husband’s kiss after Knicks’ Game 5 win New York Post
- Angry Knicks fans rip down, stomp on poster of All-Star Julius Randle after playoff exit Fox News
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Tag Archives: Julius
Knicks’ Julius Randle thriving again because of these two factors
This isn’t the Julius Randle of two years ago. It’s more like Julius Randle 2.0.
He may be producing similar numbers to that fantastic season when the bruising yet athletic forward led the Knicks to a surprising fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference, but he is doing so in a different manner.
“The year two years ago obviously he had a great year and a big part of that, I think, was his shooting,” coach Tom Thibodeau said on Tuesday after practice. “It opened up a lot of things for him. But then I think the league sort of caught up and now I think he’s caught up to what they were doing.”
A major part of that change was a different offensive philosophy under Thibodeau predicated on pace and ball movement, and the arrival of new point guard Jalen Brunson. It meant less isolation for Randle and a new focus on playing uptempo.
Randle is rarely bringing the ball up and pounding it into the floor. Instead, he’s getting transition opportunities, shots by moving without the ball and Brunson’s fast start has taken some of the defense’s focus away from Randle. He’s seeing fewer double-teams and getting more open shots.
“His approach has been totally different,” Derrick Rose said. “The way he’s reading the floor is totally different. His passing has been unbelievable, like getting to spots and not forcing shots and understanding that we’re trying to get up a certain amount of 3’s. He’s finding the shooters.”
He’s also made notable adjustments, in particular arriving for training camp leaner and more prepared to get up and down the floor faster. At the start of camp, Randle spoke of his excitement for this new offensive philosophy and teaming up with Brunson, and he has backed up that talk, producing 17 assists and just four turnovers in the preseason. In three regular-season games, he is averaging 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and only 1.7 turnovers.
“I’ll say this: Julius is a tremendous athlete and I know from having coached against him what you don’t want to see is Julius flying up the floor, attacking the rim, playing with speed like he’s playing,” Thibodeau said. “You’d rather defend him stationary with the ball. I think because of that, [since] he knows the different things he’s been through, he wants to play fast, and so I think that’s huge. He can help sell it to the rest of the team when he’s moving the way he’s moving. It gets the whole team moving that way.”
Late in Monday’s victory over the Magic the biggest change for the Knicks was on display. A 14-point lead had been cut to six with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter. In past years, it was obvious where the ball was going — to Randle in isolation. Not in this instance. The Knicks ran a high screen-and-roll with Brunson, and it resulted in a made Brunson jumper in which he also drew a foul that iced the game. The Knicks have become less predictable.
“For [Jalen] to take that pressure off me is huge,” Randle said. He added, in general about his play: “I’m just trying to lose myself in the team. Lean on guys like [Brunson], RJ [Barrett], just play for my team. The only thing that matters is winning.”
Brunson, an ego-less lead guard known for making the right play, has had a major impact on Randle. The two started to develop chemistry even before training camp, both of them spending plenty of time in August and early September at the MSG Training Center. It shows. They have played well together, registering a combined plus-30 rating this season.
Brunson recently had Randle and other teammates over to watch a big Eagles-Cowboys game. Brunson roots for the Eagles and Randle is a Cowboys fan. A recent press conference featuring the two players ended with them being asked who will win the NFC East. They both laughed and talked trash about the other’s team.
The only thing the two stars don’t see eye-to-eye on appears to be their favorite football teams.
Julius Randle-Obi Toppin problem hangs over Knicks’ offseason
Rate it as the most truthful remark Knicks president Leon Rose made about his vision during Sunday’s interview with MSG Network.
Rose supported Julius Randle and his rough season, but later added, “With regard to opportunities that may come along, we’re very flexible.’’
The Knicks will be “very flexible” regarding Randle. His status ranks as the Knicks’ biggest offseason question — along with Rose’s ability to land a legitimate starting point guard in either a trade, draft or free agency.
Obi Toppin’s late emergence as a scorer, 3-point shooter and energizer has opened the eyes of coach Tom Thibodeau, who went as far as comparing him to his all-time favorite player Taj Gibson in regards to the intangibles and the bounce he brings to his teammates.
Trading Randle, if they can get equal value, would open up the starting spot for Toppin next season and perhaps create stronger team morale.
Those things matter to Thibodeau.
In response to Rose’s remark about Randle “not being comfortable” this season, Thibodeau responded, “Well, I don’t know if comfortable, but I think the big thing is, let’s not mistake how talented he is. He didn’t shoot the 3 as well as he did a year ago, but he’s still 20, 10 and five. That’s talent. That’s a lot of talent.’’
However, Thibodeau liked how the Knicks passed the ball when Randle wasn’t on the court in the final five games. Randle shut it down late with a sore quad.
But his enigmatic behavior was an issue much of the season. It began with a “thumbs-down” gesture to the Garden crowd in early January, continued with a media boycott, escalated with an altercation in Los Angeles with a laptop held by an assistant coach and culminated with Randle deciding not to the join his teammates for the national anthem or pregame lineup introduction at road games.
Garden fans chanting Toppin’s name when Randle was on the court had to be a blow to a player who, in fairness, lifted the Knicks to their first playoff berth in eight years a season ago.
“I think we had our ups and downs this year and when you’re that type of player, he’s gonna get criticism,’’ Thibodeau said. “I’m gonna get criticism. That goes with the turf here. So, you deal with it, come back, use it as motivation. I know one thing: Julius will be in the gym all summer.’’
If the Knicks can’t trade Randle for a fair package, Thibodeau may have to explore a small-ball package with Randle at center and Toppin at power forward. Thibodeau, though, hates it from a defensive standpoint.
There will be teams interested in the rugged Randle, whose four-year, $117 million contract extension begins next season at $23.7 million. That’s not an exorbitant number at all. Randle is at the top of all opponent scouting reports and is sensational steamrolling to the hoop when in the right frame of mind.
If the Knicks aren’t getting draft picks and a legitimate starter back, it may not be worth it — unless Randle formally demands a trade. The Mavericks would be an interesting scenario if the Knicks engage Dallas in sign-and-trade talks for free-agent point guard Jalen Brunson. Randle is from Dallas and usually wreaks havoc when he plays in Big D.
“We had new players, it was hard to develop chemistry right off the bat,’’ Thibodeau said. “But Julius is at his best when he’s running the floor, playing fast or attacking the rim. When he did that, he had a number of big games. He’d be the first to tell you that. When he does that and we spray the ball and it moves fast, we’re good. I’m hopeful that we’ve learned from the All Star break on.’’
Thibodeau had been skeptical about Toppin’s defense and 3-point shooting. During the middle of the season, Toppin stopped looking at the basket when he got the ball out deep. He closed the season at 30.6 percent from 3, but 46 percent in the last five games when he started after Randle sat.
The Randle-Toppin conundrum is going to vex Rose, Randle’s former agent, all offseason.
As will the point guard position after the Kemba Walker/Derrick Rose tandem turned into an unmitigated disaster. Rose was done in by an ankle surgery in December and Walker quit in February.
Meanwhile, Brunson, who’s father, Rick, was Leon Rose’s first client as an agent, is expected to be their top point guard target. The draft isn’t well-stocked with play-making point guards. The Knicks (37-45) are the lottery’s 12th seed with a 7.2 percent chance of vaulting to a top-three pick.
All things can be settled in the backcourt if Utah superstar combo guard Donovan Mitchell, the Westchester product, petitions for a trade. The Knicks would likely have to lose RJ Barrett in the exchange, but it could be a franchise changer.
Thibodeau, late Sunday night, didn’t want to get specific on needs.
“Unlike you [the media], I actually have to watch and dig into it,’’ Thibodeau said. “I could say that I have ideas, which I do. Some. But I want to make sure. I want to dig into it deep and formulate the plan for next year.’’
Julius Randle denies seeking trade from Knicks after hearing boos
Julius Randle heard a fair amount of boos during pregame introductions, but the Knicks’ highest-paid player forcefully denied suggestions that he is seeking a trade in the offseason or that he isn’t committed to the organization long term.
“That’s not true, bro. That’s just not true, simple as that, it’s not true at all,” Randle said Wednesday night. “If it didn’t come from me, it ain’t true.”
Randle scored 21 points with seven assists, but the Knicks couldn’t fully erase a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter as their season-best winning streak was halted at four games in a 125-114 loss to the play-in bound Hornets at the Garden.
The loss dropped the Knicks’ tragic number for elimination from play-in contention to one with five games remaining, after the No. 10 Hawks’ blowout victory in Oklahoma City.
“Just keep concentrating on what we’re doing and get better, and then you’re not eliminated until you’re eliminated,” Tom Thibodeau said. “And then when you are, you assess what you want to get done.”
Randle’s intermittent frustration and unhappiness has been evidenced by various instances this season, including a thumbs-down gesture and profane quotes directed at fans and multiple blowups with officials.
This year has been a far cry from the two-way love affair Randle enjoyed with New York one season ago, when he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, earning him a four-year contract extension worth $117 million.
The Post reported Wednesday that there are some around the league who believe that Randle has been acting in a “James Harden type of way,” suggesting that he could attempt to force a trade in the offseason.
Thibodeau was incredulous when asked about a further claim by a local radio host this week — which was couched as an “unconfirmed rumor” — that Randle already had expressed that he wanted out following Monday’s victory over Chicago at the Garden
Asked directly if he believes that Randle “wants to be here,” Thibodeau replied: “Yeah. So as a coach, you coach the players that you have. And you love them all. And I do. If you play for me, I love you. It’s really that simple. The challenge for us is to bring the best out of each other.”
Randle previously had asserted his commitment earlier this season, but he stressed after the game: “My answer ain’t changing, bro.”
“My goal and what I work hard for is to make the city proud and make the fans proud,” he said. “I play for my teammates; I play for my family, and it is as simple as that. It is nothing more than that. From the inside looking out, it is what it is, and I understand that a lot of times you have to do your game, do the talking, but I love this city, my family loves it here and I love being a Knick.”
Randle has been fined over $100,000 by the league this season for various infractions, including for saying “shut the f–k up” in a January press conference to explain his use of a thumbs-down gesture to booing fans at one game at the Garden.
Randle also threw the ball away and walked directly into the locker room following Monday’s win. He scored five points on 1-for-9 shooting in that game, and fans had chanted once again for understudy Obi Toppin.
Randle admitted the boos and chants have been toughest on his 5-year-old son, Kyden, and his family.
“That’s probably where most of my frustration comes from. I have my 5-year-old son that’s there, who is obsessed with the game of basketball, loves the game of basketball and he doesn’t understand what’s going on,” Randle said. “That’s probably my biggest frustration — coming from him.
“But at the same time, you have to understand it comes with the territory. The narrative can always flip. I understand that. I understand it’s New York City. I understand how passionate our fans are. You just kind of have to live with the good and the bad.”
Following the pregame boos, Randle seemingly got the home crowd back on his side by nailing two early 3-pointers, and the Knicks shot 61.9 percent from the floor in trailing 31-29 through one quarter. RJ Barrett finished the first half with 17 points to keep the Knicks within three, 58-55 at intermission
The Knicks trailed by a dozen, 95-83, with 10:31 remaining, but a dunk by Barrett and a converted three-point play by Immanuel Quickley (16 points) pulled them within two with just under six minutes to go. But a windmill slam and a corner 3 by Bridges extended the Charlotte cushion back to 11 in the closing minutes.
“I thought we were a step behind all night, and I thought the ball got where they wanted it to,” Thibodeau said. “We didn’t feel good about the way we were playing defensively all night.”
Knicks’ Julius Randle shed tears over Kenny Payne’s departure
At Friday’s introductory press conference in Louisville, former Knicks assistant coach Kenny Payne said he, Knicks president Leon Rose and senior advisor William Wesley had “cried six, seven times a day’’ over his decision to leave for his alma mater.
Payne left out Julius Randle, the former Kentucky stud whom Payne recruited out of Dallas to be part of the Wildcats’ No. 1-ranked class in 2013.
“Selfishly, it made me sick,’’ Randle said Friday night after the Knicks topped the Wizards, 100-97, at the Garden. “I cried twice, to be honest with you. It made me sick, because I didn’t want him to leave but at the same time I wanted him to go. I never told him that. But he had to.
“What he did for us in general, the Knicks, is incredible — from player development to managing personalities. Personally, it goes a lot deeper, man. You talk about a young kid from Dallas. Me and my mother. I’m a 17-year-old kid. He came in my house. But my mom sending me away, her only boy? He came to my house and told my mom, ‘I got you. You got nothing to worry about.’ He took me in like I was his own kid and really looked after me.”
When coach Tom Thibodeau reminisced about Payne’s nearly two-season stint as Knicks assistant, it was his work with Randle at the forefront.
When Payne came aboard for the 2020-21 season, the 6-foot-8 power forward earned the Most Improved Player Award, became a first-time All-Star and was named Second Team All-NBA. Randle regressed this season, but still is averaging a 20.4 points and 9.9 rebounds.
Wesley, who has strong ties to the Kentucky program, hired Payne even though Thibodeau didn’t know him.
“The relationship, probably with Julius,’’ Thibodeau said of Payne’s contribution. “The main thing was the player development end with Julius, the energy, the love for the game.’’
With Payne gone, assistant coach Darren Erman, who first worked with Thibodeau when they were both assistants in Boston in 2008, will move to the front row of the bench. It had been a point of contention last season, according a source, when Thibodeau’s guys Andy Greer and Erman sat in the second row while Mike Woodson, Johnnie Bryant and Payne were in front.
“We have a lot of young coaches who are really talented and they’ll step in and they’re ready for more,’’ Thibodeau said.
Thibodeau gave kudos to Knicks owner Jim Dolan
“I want to start by thanking [Dolan] for allowing him to go,’’ Thibodeau said. “We’re thrilled for him.’’
Thibodeau started his pregame press conference by giving condolences to the family of Cavaliers scout Tom Barrise, who passed away Friday of cancer. Barrise was Thibodeau’s advance scout in Chicago and a longtime Nets scout who served briefly there as interim coach in 2009.
“Just a great basketball guy,’’ Thibodeau said. “Just sad news.’’
Based in New Jersey, Barrise scouted several Knicks games at the Garden this season for the Cavaliers.
Julius Randle’s career-high 46 points spark Knicks’ win over Kings
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Julius Randle got fined by the NBA on Sunday and got even on Monday.
This time it was the Knicks’ turn to rally from a big deficit and capture a desperately needed victory.
Randle exploded for a career-high 46 points to lead a 44-point third-quarter barrage as the Knicks rallied from 19 points down in the first half to knock out the Kings, 131-115, in a Wild West shootout at Golden1 Center.
“When he plays with that type of intensity, it lifts everyone,’’ Tom Thibodeau said. “He was attacking the basket, shooting the 3, making hustle plays. It was a great all-around game from him.’’
By winning their back-to-back California set against the Clippers and Kings, the Knicks posted their first two-game winning streak since mid-January when they reeled off three straight wins against San Antonio, Dallas and Atlanta.
The Knicks, at 27-38, moved to 4 ½ games behind the Hawks for the 10th seed and final Eastern Conference play-in spot with 17 games to play. They’ve played well since the All-Star break and now have something to show for it.
Suspect from the 3-point line this season, Randle fired in a career-high eight 3-pointers (on 16 attempts) and shot 18-for-31 overall.
“I’m taking the open look and just taking it,’’ Randle said of his 3-point bust-out. “Just playing and not second-guessing and shooting the open shot.’’
It’s been an odd trip for Randle, who received a $50,000 fine from the NBA on Sunday for not participating in the league’s investigation into his Friday skirmish in Phoenix with Cam Johnson.
Asked about the fine, Randle paused and said, “Next question. I’m already in too much trouble.’’
RJ Barrett also had a big second half and finished with 27 points, and Immanuel Quickley also fired in 27. Evan Fournier shook off an 0-for-4 start to pile up 15 points.
The Knicks exploded for a 35-17 start to the second half to erase a 15-point halftime hole. They racked up 83 points in the second half, their most after intermission since 1969. Randle had 32 points in the second half.
“Julius had a lot to do with that,’’ Barrett said. “All of us had a crazy rhythm. It’s fun moving the ball and everyone gets to eat.’’
They were dead in the water in the first half and minus their sparkplug center Mitchell Robinson, who picked up two fouls in the first two minutes, was removed and then was said to have “an illness.’’
Randle hit a 3 in the final minute of the third to give the Knicks a 92-87 lead and they ran away with it in the fourth quarter, keeping in their chief players until the final two minutes.
The Knicks outscored the Kings 44-24 in the third, the most points they’ve scored in any period this season. Randle scored 17 in the quarter and had 30 entering the final period.
The bad news was Cam Reddish was injured. Going up to contest a shot early in the fourth quarter, Reddish got upended by a driving Davion Mitchell and fell badly, hitting his shoulder. Reddish stayed down, holding his head, then was helped off clutching his right shoulder with 11:11 left. Thibodeau said he was still being examined after the game.
The Knicks also got a gutty defensive performance from rookie point guard Miles McBride. Late in the third, McBride stole the ball from Mitchell and got fouled. On the next possession, McBride forced a jump ball.
As good as it would get, the game started badly. The Kings jumped to 7-0 and 12-2 leads. Robinson picked up two fouls in the opening 1:40, including one on a 3-point play from Sabonis, who later got himself ejected for arguing and bumping a referee.
Robinson was removed and rookie backup center Jericho Sims picked up three fouls. Instead of going back to Robinson, Thibodeau put in the veteran Taj Gibson for the first time since the All-Star break.
Without Robinson, the Knicks’ defense allowed the Kings much of everything. De’Aaron Fox went to the basket with impunity, scoring on four easy layups.
The Kings got up as many as 20 points in the second quarter and led 63-48 at intermission before it all crashed and burned.
“We knew Sacramento was a good team but they’re known to give up leads,’’ Quickley said.
“We knew it would be challenging coming into the game because of the back-to-back and their speed,’’ Thibodeau said. “Fox’s speed is a great test for you and we got into a hole early. But we never quit and that was the best thing. We kept fighting, fighting. And then Julius got going and it was pretty terrific what he did all-around.’’
“We were getting our legs and were a little tired after the back to back,’’ Barrett added. “We needed these two wins.’’
Julius Randle ejected for altercation with Cameron Johnson
Julius Randle was ejected from the Knicks’ game against the Suns.
With 2:30 left in the third quarter, Randle and the Suns’ Cameron Johnson collided as Randle attempted to box Johnson out on Evan Fournier’s three-point shot. After the shot, Randle stormed into Johnson’s chest. After referee Dedric Taylor attempted to break the two up, Randle stormed back, making contact with the Taylor, and shoved Johnson.
Randle and Johnson were issued double technicals for their initial altercation. For his second act – storming back at Johnson, making contact with the ref and shoving Johnson – Randle was issued a second technical for an unsportsmanlike act, which led to his ejection.
The Knicks were winning 86-76 at the time of Randle’s ejection.
Julius Randle got into computer incident with Knicks assistant
SALT LAKE CITY – Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said the computer altercation between Julius Randle and assistant coach/video coordinator Scott King against the Lakers on Saturday has been “resolved’’ and “taken care of.’’
The incident against the Lakers was caught on video by a fan and posted on social media where it caused a stir because of Randle’s recent emotional behavior.
During a timeout, King came up to Randle in the huddle with his laptop and Randle slapped at the screen and started jawing angrily at him.
Assistant coaches Kenny Payne and Johnnie Bryant separated the two. King was likely showing him a defensive lapse against the Lakers in a game the Knicks ultimately lost in overtime after blowing a 21-point lead.
“When you have competitive people, you’re gonna have stuff like that,’’ Thibodeau said. “That’s normal. Every team has it. It’s competitive people, heat of the moment. They’re good. They’ve got a great relationship. Everyone is trying to win. So, it’s all part of it.’’
It is unusual for a coach to bring the laptop into the NBA huddle to show video. Usually a coach will just tell the player tidbits. Thibodeau said the computers, though, are taking over.
In addition, the way Randle carried on for several seconds illustrated his recent temper that has been seen with referees. He picked up two technicals vs. Memphis last week leading to an automatic ejection in the final seconds. Randle also staged a recent media boycott and the NBA fined the Knicks $25,000. Randle did not talk to beat writers after the morning shootaround in Utah on Monday.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and Randle reacted combatively when this reporter asked him Friday his reaction to rumors the Knicks are open to a deal.
Asked if it was unusual for a computer to be brought to Randle like that, Thibodeau said, “(Computers), that’s the modern NBA. Hey look, the technology has been great. To be able to look at plays — we see it more in football because there’s a break in play — but when guys come out or timeouts, you always have that interaction. And often times, the player wants to see it. It might be how he’s being defended. It’s might be a situation that occurred. It’s very helpful. It was heat of the moment. It’s normal stuff.
“There’s a lot of interactions over the course of the season. There’s heat of the moment. There’s competition. There’s competitive people involved. And then there’s great respect for Julius, the coaches, so it’s normal. You fix it. Immediately, it was taken care of.’’
Randle failed to earn his second All-Star berth last week and has looked off with his body language during losses. The Post reported Thibodeau has had trouble getting Randle to play with the same selflessness he showed last season.
There’s been other videos on social media showing Randle not helping up teammates who have fallen to the ground. Against the Clippers two weeks ago, Randle strolled away from the huddle to talk to his wife Kendra sitting behind the baseline.
Charles Barkley stunned by Julius Randle’s ‘shut the f–k up’ to Knicks fans
Charles Barkley was confused after seeing Julius Randle give a thumbs-down gesture to Knicks fans during Thursday’s win against the Celtics.
“I never understand why players think you’re supposed get cheered when you’re playing bad,” Barkley said while discussing the Randle’s “thumbs down” he gave to fans in the fourth quarter of the 108-105 win at Madison Square Garden.
“No, you’re going to get booed when you’re playing bad and you’re going to get cheered when you win,” Barkley said, before hashing up the Javier Baez situation when the Mets star gave a thumbs-down to fans during the team’s rough stretch in August.
“This is the way this thing works. We ain’t doctors, we ain’t lawyers. If you play good, people cheer you. If you play bad, people boo you. That’s the deal you make with fans,” Barkley said.
Knicks fans started booing Randle on his home court after a slow start in Thursday’s game against Boston. With less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Randle scored a tough basket and gave a “thumbs down” gesture to the fans while running back on defense.
After the game, when asked what the gesture was for, Randle said, “To shut the f–k up.”
The day prior, Randle said he “doesn’t give a f–k what anybody has to say, to be honest,” while discussing recent criticism from fans and media.
On Thursday, Shaquille O’Neal gave Randle some tough love, like he has since the Knicks star became the face of the franchise.
“In a city like New York, if you’re the man on the team, gotta expect it. Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” O’Neal said. “You’re the man. I expect you to play good every night.”
Ernie Johnson noted that Randle could “do no wrong” during his All-Star year last season, when he led the turnaround in New York and helped push the Knicks to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13. The power forward was rewarded with a $117 million extension this offseason.
Kenny Smith led the conversation off and said Randle “shouldn’t engage with fans” because “he’s too good a player.”
Randle finished with 22 points and eight rebounds on 8-of-20 shooting.
He’ll need to channel last year’s surge if the Knicks want to make a postseason run. Right now, they’re fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament, sitting in the tenth spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks play the Celtics again Saturday in Boston.
RJ Barrett and Julius Randle propel Knicks past Pacers
Julius Randle was back from COVID-19 protocols and RJ Barrett was back to being an efficient force.
That Batman and Robin tandem of a season ago exploded on the undermanned Pacers as they combined for 62 points in a 104-94 victory Tuesday at the Garden.
It was the 30-30 club and felt like retro night from the 2020-21 campaign.
Barrett scored 32 points — 24 in the first half — while Randle punished the Pacers all night with his physicality, going 12-for-20 and racking up 30 points. He also had 16 rebounds.
Barrett was 12 of 20 from the field and hit six of his eight free throws. The pair hit just two 3-pointers each, showing a relentless spirit in attacking the basket.
“The big thing is for RJ, it was incredible for him to start the game,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “With both guys, it’s them attacking the rim. The game will tell you what to do. If we settle for shots, it’s going to cause problems. If we’re attacking the rim, it makes us different.”
The Knicks were 0-2 when Randle was out with COVID-19 after taking a lot of heat in the media and on social media that he wasn’t living up to his superstar form of a season ago.
Interestingly, Randle did not talk to the media after the game. He had treatment and left in a sign he could be ticked off at the recent negative coverage.
“For Julius to do what he did today was just remarkable — to come off safety protocols, travel, get here and play,’’ Thibodeau said. “We had no idea what he’d be like. Unbelievable effort. Unbelievable all the things he did … physicality was huge for us. His rebounding was the difference in the game.’’
Randle isolated in Oklahoma, then was permitted to drive to Dallas, his hometown, before flying in Monday after testing negative. He spent New Year’s Eve at home.
Thibodeau said he was unsure if Randle would play Tuesday until a very late-night call from him on Monday.
“I had no idea,’’ Thibodeau said. “Then I talked to [him] last night, he told me how great he felt. I’m like ‘OK, that’s good news.’ It came at a good time. We were working on how we were going to match up with them. A late-night call. One of the best late-night calls I ever had.”
In a sign of the distorted times, even as Randle was rolling in the second half, the fans chanted Barrett’s name when Randle, their lone All-Star, stepped to the free-throw line. Last season they chanted “MVP’’ anytime Randle shot free throws.
Barrett heard chants much of the evening as the Knicks (18-20) were able to survive a scoreless night from free-agent signee Evan Fournier as he missed all four of his shots in 22 minutes.
“It’s cool,’’ Barrett said. “Definitely in the Garden, hearing the Garden chanting your name is a lot of fun.’’
Obi Toppin, whom many fans wish would cut into Randle’s minutes, scored two points in nine minutes after starting the past two games at power forward.
Barrett erupted for 17 points in the game’s first seven minutes and had 24 by halftime. Despite his relentless attacks on the basket and fancy, spinning finishes, the Knicks couldn’t even come out of the first half with the lead.
“I was just trying to be aggressive,’’ Barrett said. “When you get in the paint, you either finish or kick out if the defense collapses.’’
Barrett credited Randle for his rebounding “and the intensity he had. He’s always ready.’’
It was hardly an easy win, though. Sparked by their emergency starting guard Kiefer Sykes and his 16 points, the Pacers were even with the Knicks at 55-55 at intermission. The Knicks no longer have any players in COVID protocols. The Pacers have eight.
Undrafted in 2015, Sykes had 12 points in his NBA career in just three previous games. His anonymous career has been spent in the G-League, Turkey, Italy and Australia.
And Sykes became a sterling shotmaker, drilling 4 of 8 3-pointers and finishing with 20 points.
In the revolving door at point guard, Thibodeau started Alec Burks instead of rookie Miles McBride who had started the previous two.
With Randle back, Barrett took ownership of the game, driving relentlessly, drawing fouls and also hitting his first two 3-pointers.
Throwing in all his moves, Barrett finished 8 of 12 and made 6 of 7 free throws in his best half of his young career as the Knicks went on a 16-0 run to erase an 18-10 deficit.
Barrett had a big second season but has regressed in Year 3. But this could be the start of something for both players.