Knicks' Julius Randle: NBA All-Star Game Starter?

Julius Randle's recovery from a slow start to this New York Knicks season could land him a spot in the Eastern Conference's starting five at the NBA All-Star Game.

Julius Randle has been a near-certainty for the New York Knicks' starting five since he joined the team in 2019: in that span, Randle has missed only 18 games and only four other players have earned more starts. 

It's worth asking if Randle could work his way into another starting five, namely that of the Eastern Conference squad at the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. 

This year's exhibition in Indianapolis will revert to an East-vs.-West format after six fantasy draft-style set-ups. Though Randle faces stiff competition, his recent play has proven worthy of recognition when the league gathers at Gainbridge Arena in February. 

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A third All-Star bid for Randle seemed ludicrous after the first six games of the season, which saw Randle shoot just over 27 percent from the field, dead-last among those averaging at least 10 points a game. Randle is averaging 25.3 points and 9.2 rebounds in the 20 games since then and he has scored at least 20 in each of his last 12 showings. 

The Knicks have not had a starter at the All-Star since 2016, when Carmelo Anthony was in the East's five in Toronto. This time around, the only problem is that the modern East is filled with All-Star caliber forwards, the best of which would be Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

With the league-best numbers that Antetokounmpo is averaging so far this season, he is almost guaranteed to start. Randle's tough competition could be division rival Tatum, whose numbers are very similar in the early going. All-Star voting began on Tuesday and will run through Saturday, Jan. 20.

All That Jazz! Knicks' Randle Named to NBA All-Star Game

Randle's next chance to make a case for the All-Star Game comes on Saturday afternoon when the Knicks face the Milwaukee Bucks (12:30 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV).