The New York Knicks have started to look like the team that made the playoffs in 2021, having won three straight and forward Julius Randle having himself a nice season.
Randle is coming off of a 33-point performance where he shot 4-10 from outside the arc in the Knicks’ latest blowout victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Randle has now scored at least 33 points in consecutive games in what has been a hot stretch of games for the big man.
Over his last six games, Randle is averaging 27/9/4 with a 58.9% true shooting clip and a plus/minus of +64.
He has been undoubtedly the leader of this Knicks team this season, which seemed to start when he arranged a team dinner for the Knicks early in the season.
Randle is now once again playing at an elite level amongst players in his position, which deserves to have more recognition.
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Julius Randle has regained his shooting touch
One of the keys to Randle’s bounce-back performance this season has been his regained efficiency from beyond the arc.
After shooting an astonishing 41.1% from 3 in 2021, Randle regressed back to his typical standards last season and shot a below-average 30.8% from 3.
This season he’s brought back some of that 2021 mojo, as he is shooting 34.1% from 3 this season, which is leading the Knicks.
Something that is notable about this very solid clip is his high volume of shot attempts. Randle is averaging 6.9 3PA/game this season, which is not only a team-high but a personal career-high for him as well.
He has also been incredibly efficient off of catch-and-shoot opportunities from long distance, shooting 35.4% in that department. Playing alongside Jalen Brunson has given Randle more room to work with less pressure, allowing him to create his own shot more easily.
Julius Randle continues to be a dominant force down low and at the free-throw line
With Randle regaining his outside shot, he has rebuilt himself as a pure offensive threat, as he continues to dominate the restricted area on offense.
Randle is shooting 55.4% on 2PT field goals this season, averaging roughly 9.2 2PA/game.
He has consistently used his powerful 6’8”, 250 lbs frame to bully defenders in the low post, which has helped him get many and-one opportunities.
Randle has taken advantage of those and-one opportunities during his recent hot stretch, as he is shooting 85.7% from the charity stripe in his last six games, a mark that is 21st in the NBA during that span.
He has now upped his season total from the line to 79.1%, nearly a four-point advantage from last season.
Randle has been a key piece for the Knicks this season, thanks to bouncing back in a big way. He will look to continue this hot stretch of games when the Knicks take on the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
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