jskinny35 wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:Chandler wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:So, here’s the thing. Randle has a career year last year and earned a contract. He did it by increasing his 3pt percentage to 41%. 24pts. 8 rebs. 6 assists. 41% from 3. 80% from the line. He crushed it. Nothing makes me believe he is any different player. Only problem is that he is shooting 30% from 3. And getting to the line less.Somewhere along the line, he decided he is a 3pt specialist. He stopped putting pressure on the defense and the result is the worst eFG since he turned 21.
The right Julius Randle is still in there somewhere, but maybe he realizes he is more like the 30% 3pt shooter that he actually is and less like the 41% shooter that he is in an empty gym. Take those threes when they are given to him, but stop thinking that 3 comes off the dribble. His footwork is off on 3s anyway.
I’d prefer to see him get to the line 6 times than jack 6 threes a game. His eFG will improve as will his confidence. He’s still got the all star. Just needs to re-calibrate his game.
A lot of guys shot way better last year. I don’t think they suddenly got that much better as shooters so much as they were taking better shots and avoiding bad ones. Ie julius always shot 40% for the types of shots he hit last year
They were moving the ball more and getting better looks and shooting with confidence because their feet were set and they had sufficiently open looks.
This year the ball is stickier and they’re all playing tight as a drum as the losses mount
And I wouldn’t under estimate the loss of Theo pinson keeping things light
I am actually pro-Randle. I just think he is better spotting up from three than taking them off the dribble. I think he is a really good defender. I like when he puts the ball on the floor and attacks the rim. I like his pick and pop. If he really requested a trade, well, I am disappointed. I don't think De'Aaron Fox today makes us better than Randle. I think Fox is a subpar defender by all accounts. I think the Knicks need more guys like Randle that identify as two way players. That's why I like Jerami Grant and Myles Turner. Losing makes people crazy. I wouldn't give up on Randle so much as try and find ways to maximize what he is good at.
Randle is a 2 way player? I don't think we have any of those on the Bricks right now but maybe RJ will develop into one...
If you look at the starting unit, Robinson and Randle are the only players with even average Defensive Ratings. A far cry from their 20-21 rating, but Barrett, Walker and Fournier rank among the worst in the league all up around 115 currently while while Randle is sitting at 111 and Robinson is a very good 106.
I don’t really blame Barrett as he is taking the toughest assignments on the wing every night (See him vs Ja Morant?) while Kemba gets so babysit the non ball handler 3pt shooter. And Fournier pokes at the ball without stating in front of his man.
So, I’ll give Barrett a + anyway. But Randle is a good defender when he isn’t sulking.
