New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is grateful for the dose of tough love he received from an NBA Hall-of-Famer at a critical time in his career.
When speaking to Knicks greats Carmelo Anthony on his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Randle recalled a message Magic Johnson gave him while he was a member of Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers (h/t Geoff Magliocchetti of Fan Nation’s All Knicks):
“I get to my fourth year, we get to training camp and I remember going into that summer, Magic had taken over,” Randle recounted. “I’m used to Magic smiling, you know what I mean, shaking everybody’s hand. I went into that meeting, and I see a different Magic.”
“I see why he was a leader. He challenged me, he was like ‘Bro, you’ve got to go, get into the best shape possible.’ So I did all that. I was in the best shape. I come back, I’m ready.”
Knicks: Julius Randle’s physical frame has allowed him to excel as an NBA star
The three-time All-Star has been able to use his weight to his advantage since entering the league. The 6-8, 250-pound power forward is one of the most effective interior scorers in the NBA, as he drops his shoulder to get to the basket and muscles his way under the basket for authoritative finishes in traffic and off of offensive rebounds.
Yet, the fast pace of today’s game necessitates optimal body conditioning. Many heavier players including Randle have embraced transforming their bodies in recent years.
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Magic Johnson’s advice to Randle helped him take his game to new heights
Not only could Johnson, who stands at 6-foot-9, relate to Randle, but he also orchestrated the high-octane “Showtime” Lakers offense in one of the fastest eras ever. Consequently, Randle applied Johnson’s words, which allowed him to play all 82 games for the first time in his four-year career up until that point. He also had a career year statistically, headlined by his 16.1 points per contest. Randle did so while starting in 24 fewer games from the prior season and in 2.1 fewer minutes of nightly action.
That campaign served as a launchpad for the Kentucky product. He became an All-Star candidate every season since, before capturing his first nod in his second run with the Knicks in 2020-21.
The Knicks have reaped the benefits of Randle’s mature physique. Compared to when he first entered the league, the 29-year-old now sports a chiseled and refined frame. There have been no concerns with Randle’s weight, and the Knicks expect him to come back from his dislocated shoulder in peak condition for a 2025 championship run, should they keep him around.