Getty Julius Randle, New York Knicks
It’s been quite a fall from grace for Julius Randle this season, and his relationship with the New York Knicks fanbase has been stretched to breaking point.
Randle was a revelation for the Knicks last season, quickly becoming the teams’ offensive focal point, both as a scorer and facilitator. But this time around, fresh off signing a four-year $117 million extension, the former Los Angeles Lakers forward has struggled to replicate his performance levels.
Now, after a season of struggles, it would seem that Randle is preparing for a swift exit from New York, and has already begun to disassociate himself from the team on social media. According to multiple eagle-eyed fans, Randle has unfollowed all of his teammates and removed the majority of pictures with him in a Knicks uniform from his social media pages.
Julius Randle has unfollowed every Knicks player on Instagram and has deleted all of his Knicks pictures except for one with RJ Barrett for slam magazine. Coincidence? I think not.. #NewYorkForever
With such cryptic social media activity, it’s fair to say that fans are starting to suspect Randle is eyeing a route out of New York, but with his contract extension due to kick in, and a budding partnership forming with Obi Toppin, that may not be the best career decision.
Randle Was All-Star Last Season
We’ve all seen what a healthy and motivated Randle looks like, and the impact he can have on a team’s chances of success. For most of last season, the six-foot-eight forward was unguardable and often found himself being labeled as the best player on the floor.
Everything seemed to be falling into place for the Kentucky product, as he earned himself his first All-Star selection, and was spearheading the Knicks’ return to the post-season. Randle gave the fanbase reason to dream of a brighter future and was earning rave plaudits from all areas of the NBA media world.
Over 73 games in the 2020-21 NBA season, Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those averages have slipped across the board this season, as both Randle and the Knicks have struggled to build upon their strong showing, with Randle averaging 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, per Basketball-Reference.
It’s not just Randle’s dip in production that has fans worried either, the hulking forward has often looked disinterested as the team has stuttered throughout the season, and hasn’t appeared engaged with his teammates like he was last year.
Knicks Fans Falling Out of Love With Randle
A quick search on social media, and it becomes apparent how Knicks fans feel about their star player. A major part of the narrative surrounding the 27-year-old is to do with his unwillingness to sacrifice for the team, with a lot of fans branding Randle as selfish.
Julius Randle is a selfish player, simple as that. He cares only about himself and not for the team. The techs, the pouting, and the attitude has made him liability to an already struggling Knicks. I liked JU but now he gotta go. @MarshallGreen_ whatchu think man?
But dive a little deeper and you can see that some fans have some sympathy towards their star player, noting that Randle has carried large expectations on his shoulders this season, and sometimes it takes time to adjust to those expectations.
Everybody talking about Julius Randle attitude, and I agree he’s letting the pressure of being that guy for the Knicks get to him. Last season he had good numbers and was a Allstar, this season he’s been struggling and RJ Barrett has stepped up tremendously. #NBATwitter
Unfortunately, though, the large majority of the fanbase has taken issue with Randle and placed their team’s poor season directly at his feet.
My reason why the Knicks didn’t live up to expectations this year.
1: Julius Randle
2: Julius Randle
3: Julius Randle
250: Tom Thibodeau
“Julius Randle had it all in the city. EVERYTHING. With that comes expectations. He set those expectations for what he did last season as a leader and hard worker. We embraced everything about him. Something changed, now #Knicks fans are toxic for keeping the expectations. Got it,” @Csquared12211 wrote on Twitter.
“Balled out when expectations were low when the expectations rose, he crumbles…Julius Randle people and so many ballers are like that,” @YawMintYM Tweeted.
No matter what happens beyond this off-season, the Knicks and Randle have seen the best and worse of each other, and while it seems unthinkable, there’s still a route back towards a happy marriage for both parties – if they want it.
Julius Randle is the best offensive big man the Knicks have had since Patrick Ewing. And like Ewing, he is the most maligned by the media. Trying to pin the bulk of the blame on Randall for this year’s disappointing season is less than fair to say the least. Sure, his campaign wasn’t as good as the year before. Big deal. That’s why it was his career best year. But if everybody stops overreacting, they will realize he is still the same player with the same special skill set, including most importantly the ability to make his teammates better. His ability to facilitate and initiate is special. You can’t trade for another frontcourt player with the potential to be 2nd Team all-nba without mortgaging the future. Seeing as the Knicks have already paid him to be what he is, their best player with the ball in his hand, the future is now. Media and fans need to turn the page on this season, acknowledge all that went wrong like injuries, Kemba, drop-off in defensive intensity, Etc. and give Randall another chance to step up and show what he can do. And if you look strictly at his numbers, his rebounds and assist wer virtually the same. His scoring tailed off, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the growth of RJ Barrett and the desire to spread the ball around. Conversely, if Randall averaged 24 + the Knicks lost in the first round again, then everyone would be complaining how the ball always sticks with him like they did with Melo. Simply stated, Anthony was the Knicks best offensive player since Ewing as attested by his scoring title. Randall is a much better passer and rebounder. He is a true triple double threat on any given night. There aren’t many guys in the league like that. Basketball is a team sport and as proven most every year in the playoffs, you need a big 3 to win. Randall and Barrett look like two. If the Knicks don’t press the panic button and pick up that other dynamic player, next year could look very different.