Dont get the feeling that Randle could break down his defenders at the 3 like LJ did in his prime. Wouldnt object as a fan to see Thibs try it.

BigDaddyG wrote:

TLover wrote:I know this is a different era of basketball but Randle has the same build as Mase & LJ. He has a similar handle to Mase and similar jumper to LJ. Defense is about positioning and effort which Randle has in him.

The big lineup is intriguing:

SG: Barrett
SF: Randle
PF: Toppin

The main thing is the defense. Mase and LJ could play some 3 back in the day because because defenders could hand check and be more physical. Today they wouldn't last a game. Could Randle spot some minutes at the 3 from time to time? Sure, but it's heavily matchup dependent.

Mase and the PT forward thing was not an absolute success but he could hang on Defense and he created issues for the opponents. The 3p shot and the subsequent spacing was not as it is today. His job was to also make sure Ewing got fed. LJ in his prime was explosive like Barkley was. He was the total package. With Spree, he could play the 4.

Why not Randle? It might be attempted. Or he plays the 4 in PHX?

Philc1 wrote:That was before the defensive 3 seconds and other rules were implemented to make nba games into glorified three point shooting contests. LJ and Mace would both strictly be power forwards in todays run and gun nba

He k, Xavier McDaniel would probably be a 4 if he played today.

EwingsGlass wrote:
I was thinking this. He looks quite a bit leaner. Hope that gets him moving without the ball. I want to love Randle again, just need a reason.

Exactly. Thibs was clear in his end of season presser that if Randle can push the fast break after getting a rebound the Knicks offense will be a lot better. Does anyone remember if he was doing this in 20-21? Thibs was perplexed in that presser- he's still in love with Randle but Thibs had no explanation for why Julius didn't run more.

Randle has been top ten in total defensive rebounds the last two seasons and, with the exception of Giannis and Westbrook (in 20-21), has the best end to end speed. We'very seen Obi pushing the pace but Randle is a much better rebounder (25 vs 17 DRB%). Getting Randles minutes down probably makes sense in this case. It's tough to do that for 36 minutes a night.

Kemet wrote:Mason would be a super star in today new NBA .. Mason never needed to hand check opponents (except MJ) on defense, Mason body and long arms were to wide to go around. Mason's ball handle made him a SF on offense, and his big-body and hops made him a PF on defense.

Randle being drafted by the mismanagement Lakers at the time, should've been playing at the SF position his first five seasons in the NBA. Randle was not NBA ready to play the PF position in the NBA in his rookie or 2nd season in the NBA.
Today Randle is a poor PF, and a poor SF. Randle's defense are weak when defending big men, and Randle's ball-handle only work well when he go bully ball on weak defenders.
Randle's biggest problem in the NBA, will be how well he co-exist alongside of RJ Barrett in their 4th season as the Knicks starters ???

Obi Toppin's 2nd offseason .. I'm hoping Obi are picking-up a few more (Amare) offensive moves, plus weight-training for a few more defensive boards, plus keep boxing opponents out of the paint in the upcoming season.
A moving Toppin should become a decent part of the Knicks scoring offense in the upcoming season, having Brunson, D.Rose, and Quickley in the back court rotation.

Mason couldn’t shoot from outside tho. And when he posted up he always was prone to getting blocked. He couldn’t even shoot free throws competently until he was taught the one handed foul shot technique

I love the guy and he is one of my favorite players ever but people are hyperventilating about Mitch, a rim protecting Center, not shooting can you imagine a forward in today’s nba?

My concern about Toppin is he’s becoming like Mason except without the defense but more dunking ability