Julius Randle, Knicks (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
As the NBA nears its season mid-point, the New York Knicks find themselves in a position they have not experienced in several seasons. They currently have a player in Julius Randle, who is in serious consideration for the annual All-Star honors.
Julius Randle has elevated his game to heights no one thought he was capable of, except the Knicks
Julius Randle’s game has reached new highs in the 2021 season. Currently, the former lottery pick is posting ridiculous per-game averages of 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He is also accomplishing these feats while shooting 48% from the field and an incredible 41% from beyond the three-point line (on 4.5 attempts per game).
For the sake of content, these numbers place him 21st in the league in scoring, 10th in rebounding, and 26th in assists.
Seemingly overnight, Randle has established himself as one of the most well-rounded talents in the league. His 6’8”, 250lb frame has always allowed him to thrive around contact. However, he now boasts the skillset to dominate a game with his outside shooting, passing, and rebounding.
Randle also had one of his most impressive outings in the midst of All-Star voting. The rising star posted a 44-point outburst on 14 of 22 shooting during a February win against the Atlanta Hawks. He also chipped in nine rebounds and five assists in the contest.
Statistically speaking, Randle has definitely earned a spot in a crowded Eastern Conference All-Star field. Has Randle done enough in other aspects to make the cut? What does his competition look like in the East?
Here are three reasons why Julius Randle deserves a spot in the All-Star game this season.
New York Knicks</a> find themselves in a position they have not experienced in several seasons. They currently have a player in Julius Randle, who is in serious consideration for the annual All-Star honors.</p>
<h2>Julius Randle has elevated his game to heights no one thought he was capable of, except the Knicks</h2>
<p>Julius Randle’s game has reached new highs in the 2021 season. Currently, the former lottery pick is posting <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/randlju01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">ridiculous per-game averages</a> of 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He is also accomplishing these feats while shooting 48% from the field and an incredible 41% from beyond the three-point line (on 4.5 attempts per game).</p>
<p>For the sake of content, these numbers place him 21st in the league in scoring, 10th in rebounding, and 26th in assists.</p>
<p>Seemingly overnight, Randle has established himself as one of the most well-rounded talents in the league. His 6’8”, 250lb frame has always allowed him to thrive around contact. However, he now boasts the skillset to dominate a game with his outside shooting, passing, and rebounding.</p>
<p>Randle also had one of his most impressive outings in the midst of All-Star voting. The rising star posted a 44-point outburst on 14 of 22 shooting during a February win against the Atlanta Hawks. He also chipped in nine rebounds and five assists in the contest.</p>
<p>Statistically speaking, Randle has definitely earned a spot in a crowded Eastern Conference All-Star field. Has Randle done enough in other aspects to make the cut? What does his competition look like in the East?</p>
<p>Here are three reasons why Julius Randle deserves a spot in the All-Star game this season.</p>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason #1: His Impact on the Knicks </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-115371 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1298213275.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298213275.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298213275-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Julius Randle, New York Knicks (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Julius Randle’s impact on the Knicks as a team is maybe as Knicks’ recent legend, Carmelo Anthony</h2>
<p>Julius Randle’s emergence as the go-to guy in NYC has also resulted in team success during the young season. After failing to post a winning record or earn a postseason spot since 2012-2013, the Knicks currently find themselves with a promising 14-16 record. If the season ended today, they would have earned the 6th seed in the postseason and be headed toward a first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.</p>
<p>Here at Daily Knicks, we believe that Julius Randle is a <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/19/julius-randle-part-of-knicks-long-term/">core piece on the roster, and should be further built around</a> over the next few seasons.</p>
<p>If the former Kentucky superstar continues his dominance, the young roster may very well find themselves in the postseason for the first time since the Carmelo Anthony era.</p>
<p>This has also given the franchise its first legitimate shot at a star player since the Kristaps Porzingis experiment failed. After several seasons of relying on fringe talents like Enes Kanter, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Marcus Morris for significant contributions, the team may have found a player capable of carrying a significant load.</p>
<p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://dailyknicks.com/2020/11/30/knicks-2020-offseason-reveals-pursuit-stars/">The plan at the beginning of the season</a> seemed to be to build up their young core while seeking a star via the 2021 NBA Draft. This, combined with current top prospects like RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, and Kevin Knox, represented the most likely chance at filling the star void. If one of these players developed into an All-Star, the team would have a legitimate building block. If two or more hit, they would have a young core with the potential to propel them to a new era of contention.</p>
<p>However, the recent star turn by Randle may have escalated the process by several seasons. While his ceiling seems to fall short of an MVP level, he has clearly established himself as a star. His emergence gives the Knicks another young building block.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason #2: The Field of Potential All-Stars </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-115370 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1184736462.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1184736462.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1184736462-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Knicks (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The All-Star field is as good as it’s ever been, so how does the Knicks’ Julius Randle fit into the mix?</h2>
<p>At first glance, Julius Randle is clearly worthy of serious All-Star consideration. However, the conversation becomes much more nuanced when one considers the other Eastern Conference stars jostling for position.</p>
<p>Superstars Joel Embid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Kyrie Irving <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://www.nba.com/news/2021-nba-all-star-game-starters-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have already been announced as starters</a>. Other stars like James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Ben Simmons also feel like locks to make the roster.</p>
<p>This fills nine of the three spots. It also leaves just three spaces for players like Randle, Kris Middleton, Bam Adebayo, Zach LaVine, Gordon Hayward, Trae Young, Domantas Sabonis, Jerami Grant, and Jimmy Butler. Each of these players (and more) have had excellent seasons and is worthy of consideration as well.</p>
<p>As is generally the case during the selection period, the climb toward an appearance in the NBA’s trademark star event is steep. Knicks fans all affirm Randle’s excellent production this season. However, fan bases across the country are also affirming the merit of their own representatives.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d eliminate Young and Grant due to their team’s poor records. I’d also leave off Butler due to missed games due to injuries. Adebayo, a first-time All-Star in 2020, has been rock solid again this season. However, the poor start by his Miami Heat team leaves his spot in question. Voters may recognize Miami’s struggle with injuries and COVID-related absences. But I’d lean toward him being the first player on the outside looking in.</p>
<p>I also give the nod to Sabonis and Randle for two of the final three spots. The last goes to Middleton. Each of these three players boasts a combination of excellent play and good team production. Each has accumulated phenomenal counting stats while leading their respective franchises to a spot in the postseason field.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason #3: The Comeback Story </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-115400 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2154,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F458030648.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2154" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/458030648.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/458030648-768x517.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Julius Randle, Knicks (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Julius Randle’s Comeback story is truly one for the ages</h2>
<p>I want to be careful not to overemphasize this final point. This is the NBA. The highest level of professional basketball on the planet. Every player has worked incredibly hard to earn their spot on a roster.</p>
<p>However, in terms of comeback stories, Julius Randle has faced an astonishingly uphill climb. The former lottery pick always seemed destined for this type of career stardom. In 2013, he was a High School All-American. In 2014, he burst onto the scene at the University of Kentucky, averaging 15 points, 10.4 rebounds, per game. He also broke the school record for double-doubles in a season with 24 (a record previously held by superstars Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins).</p>
<p>He was then selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 7th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was expected to be a potential centerpiece of the league’s biggest franchise.</p>
<p>Tragically, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/21/knicks-3-reasons-julius-randle-all-star/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNi9xcWFx4o%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Julius Randle suffered a broken tibia</a> just 14 minutes into his first game in Los Angeles. He would miss the remainder of his rookie season.</p>
<p>Randle spent the next three seasons attempting to right this career path. Over time, he established himself as the nightly double-double threat he was at Kentucky. His time with the Lakers ended when the team renounced the power forward when the New Orleans Pelicans offered him a two-year contract.</p>
<p>Randle played just one season in the Big Easy, before opting out of his deal to sign with his third franchise in six years: the New York Knicks.</p>
<p>In the NBA world, being a young player who suffers a major injury before bouncing between multiple teams is generally the path toward mediocrity. In Randle’s case, it has resulted in a breakout campaign.</p>
<p>After many thought his role in New York would be as a placeholder and potential trade chip, the rising star has overcome every hurdle on his path toward career redemption. In the process, he has set himself (and the Knicks franchise by extension), up for even more future success.</p>
<p>Julius Randle has earned his All-Star opportunity based on hard work and merit. However, his uphill battle further displays his dedication to his craft. Hopefully, this will culminate with All-Star honors when the reserve roster is announced on February 23rd.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Do you think Randle has earned a spot in the All-Star team?</strong></em></p>
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