Julius Randle Provides 'Desperate Need' for Knicks

Julius Randle is an important piece for the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 14, 2024

Jan 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) looks to post up against Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

While the New York Knicks were one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals without Julius Randle, that doesn't change the fact that the team needed him in the playoffs.

Perhaps the Knicks would have made it further with Randle aboard, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for the season in late January.

As he finishes the final stages of his recovery process, Randle is set to return to the Knicks to fill a massive need.

“He provides something that Knicks desperately need – a bigger guy that can go get his own shot. Because their wings now are mainly going to be mostly spot-up type guys. Obviously, everything revolves around (Jalen) Brunson, so he (Randle) represents that big wing that can win matchups, he can beat bigger guys off the dribble, he can post up smaller guys,” ESPN analyst Tim Legler said on NBA Today.

Brunson will be the core of the Knicks' offense, but every team needs multiple ways to score in today's NBA, and that's what Randle provides. If Brunson isn't on the floor, Randle should be there as well, and he's one of the best power forwards in the game when it comes to shot creation.

When Brunson and Randle are both on the floor together, it gives the opponent a "pick your poison" dilemma. Do you give Brunson more attention so he can't set the table for the offense, or do you put yourself in a position where you deny Randle a chance on a one-on-one situation where you're unlikely to get the result you want?

Either scenario will be tough for opposing defenses to stop, and that's why having Randle on the floor makes the Knicks a far more dangerous team compared to when he's on the sidelines.

Make sure you bookmark New York Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published Sep 14, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.