The Knicks need a quick turnaround from Julius Randle to salvage their series with the Hawks, but coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t worried about his star forward, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Randle averaged 24.1 points per game during the regular season, but has been limited to 15, 15, and 14 points as Atlanta has taken a 2-1 series lead.
“Just be Julius. I don’t want him overthinking it,’’ Thibodeau said. “Let the game come to you. Sometimes you’re going to get your shots, sometimes you got to make the play. That’s what he’s done extremely well all year long. He’s our engine, he’s a fighter, he’s tough, he’s smart. He’ll figure it out.’’
The Hawks have frustrated Randle with changing coverages, a variety of defenders, and frequent double and triple teams. He hasn’t been able to get comfortable in the point forward role he has played all season, and the Knicks don’t have a dependable guard to run their offense.
“It’s been a team effort,’’ said Hawks guard Kevin Huerter. “He’s the head of the snake. When the team is playing at its best, he’s playing at its best. He’s making shots and creating for everyone else. We wanted to make it as tough as we could on him. We’ve thrown different guys at him. Defensively, it’s feel like every possession someone else gets a crack at him. We’re just trying to show help when we can and force him into tough shots.’’
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Derrick Rose is expected to remain the starting point guard for Game 4, Berman states in a separate story. Rose scored 30 points in 38 minutes Friday as former starter Elfrid Payton wasn’t used at all. Thibodeau admits it was difficult to break the news of the demotion to Payton. “You always have to do what you feel is best for your team,’’ he said. “Sometimes it’s matchups. Elfrid’s a critical part of the team. He’s had a very good year for us. It’s just also, like, what we’re looking at, and what we think gives us our best chance right now.”
- Thibodeau made another lineup change in Game 3, Berman adds, starting Taj Gibson at center in place of Nerlens Noel, who has been dealing with an ankle that he “tweaked” in the series opener. Noel excelled in the reserve role, with 12 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. “It doesn’t matter, whatever Thibs wants me to do — come off the bench, play five minutes,” Gibson said. “Doesn’t matter. We got to find a way to come out with a ‘W.’”
- The Knicks need more production from RJ Barrett, points out Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Barrett is shooting 13 of 38 in the first three games and is regularly missing open jumpers. “I see it,” he said. “I’m open. I just got to make it.”
Thibs, your playoff record isn’t exactly stellar and I hope you figure it out as well. Gotta get the R Train in situations that he can use his skill set to break down ATL.
His postseason record isn’t Stellar because he takes a marginal team and puts them in the best position to succeed during the regular season. Come playoff time thibs just doesn’t have the personnel to make it to the finals or Conference Finals. I mean Julius Randle is your star? Seriously?
Just because Tom Thibodeau helped Julius Randall’s game reach the Pinnacle of what it possibly could be, doesn’t mean Julius Randle is suddenly a stud player. He’s still Julius Randle. He Still A 6-8 power forward trying to score among the trees down low. Not going to happen.
In the playoffs there’s no half-effort defense. It’s lockdown time. Julius Randle is just being Julius Randle right now. He’s going to have some bad games.. don’t be so shocked.
You don’t seem to be very familiar with Randle’s game, especially this season, if you think he’s ‘trying to score among the trees down low’. He’s a jump shooter and post-up/pull up player. He’s not fighting down low. He’s getting the ball on the perimeter/three point line and going to work.
rct, Yes and that’s what makes Tom Thibodeau a great coach. Play Julius Randle to his strengths. But then there’s people that say he needs to go down low and I’m saying that’s not what Julius Randle can do.
Perhaps during the regular season he scored 1/3 or 1/2 his points around the basket but in the playoffs that is taken away generally. Thus Randall has regular season success but it’s not translated every single game in the playoffs.. he’s going to have his bad games. Don’t be so shocked. Get it?
You seem to be having an argument with no one. No one is saying Randle won’t have bad games, certainly not me or the original person you responded to. No one is ‘shocked’ that he’s struggled a few games this series.
Also, 71% of Randle’s shots were jump shots this year. He’s not a ‘down low’ kind of guy.
To rct’s point, Randle has been essentially a point forward this season. He’s not going to be amongst the trees, he’s the Knicks’ best playmaker.
Even if he’s not hitting shots, he needs to at least be making plays for others. So far he’s struggled with both.
Sorry, seriously not trying to argue :) I just think Tom Thibodeau is a great coach and has done wonders this year. In the playoffs he just needs a few more guys to get it done.
Thibs only played 8 guys and has been outcoached by himself running the same plays with a poor rotation the all serie.
Spike Lee would be as big as Shaq if he eats Pizza at Papa Johns？
Yes.
The bar is pretty low if Knicks fans are excited about this mediocre team.
C-Daddy… this team was supposed to be the worst team in the league. Of course they mediocre. Any fan base would be excited if there team was in the playoffs that was not projected to be there.
I realize that, but this seems to be their ceiling as currently constructed. I’d rather be in the running for the first overall pick than an easy out in the playoffs.
no its not, you have a bunch of guys on one-year contracts you have a new regime running the organization this is not the ceiling this is hopefully the beginning of something good. thats all i ask as a fan brother. keep it up and build something for long-term.
this city and this team needs positive minded. not wanting to make the playoffs and tank for the number one pick is such a loser mentality. this team saw so much losing, don’t u think its time to turn the page on being bad?? stop with the loser mentality, its done nothing for philly so far. i said so far, don’t be killing for what they doing this year, so far so good.
Dude take up another sport. And look up the word Rebuilding.
3 players if resign with Knicks
Prediction
Derrick Rose 3 years 36 million team option
Burks 2 years $28m team option
Bullock 2 years 20 team option
and Sillyman… with all the prediction you make about this team signing players the league needs to expand there rosters to 35 players. stop already your takes are nonsense.
Hawks have played zone against Randle. Truth is they should have been called for illegal D a few times. Yet they call it on. Knicks. Eyyy Hawks kicked their arss. Ok it happens. But how many times I gotta say it. Pick up full court. They use clock and have less time for offense. Huerter . Gallinari, Bogdanovic and Young are their shooters. Do I have to FedEx Thibs to let him know. Wake up. Those guys ain’t going to the basket. Young does but looks to pass always. Thibs has been totally Out coached. I’ve e said it since gm 1. Rose starting is a bad sign for Knicks. And I love Rose. I know we’re not losing in NY. But it’s time to listen to me. Start Frank and play Young full court. Keep Rose under 30 mins. And Play Toppin more at the 5. Mitch is the guy we miss. A rim protector changes this series. But no crying. Hawks have stepped up. It’s time for us to do it. Just win next gm. This goes 7 no freaking way they are winning in Garden. Just get the next one . RJ is one who has to wake up. Randle had a bad gm and still had almost a triple double . We do t win unless whole team plays well. All season that’s who we are. Wake up Thibs.
Thibs has played a 8 guys rotation and won’t change a thing … Agree about Franck but too late and now i have big doubts about building around Randle on a max and even wishing Russ to come
You know ……… I don’t wanna be that doubting Tom (no pun intended). But Randle hasn’t exactly answered critics who wondered if this season’s production was sustainable.
Really after 4 playoff gms. Look Thibs has not helped him. And he’s not that kind of talent that can take over gm. But he’s still an all star . We’ve known all yr Knicks needed another offensive player. Hawks are deeper plain and simple. This is still a rebuild so we all need to chill out. No one feels this more than I do. Knicks are not losing at home. We’ve always played best when we are counted out. Just one gm at a time. Yogi Berra time …..
Fingers crossed Al. They have to dig deep and get it done. Everyone on their A-game, including coach !!
Yeah bro. After FOUR games. Not 1,2,or 3. Heavy is the head that wears the crown my friend. You lead a team to the 4 seed these are the expectations.
We didn’t praise him all year as an All NBA guy for this. I’ve been the biggest Randle guy on this board. But I’m also going to hold him accountable when appropriate.
Randle played better, esp from a playmaking angle. I think he can still be a little more aggressive going to the hole, esp when Gallo gets switched on him.
Having said that it would help a lot if he and others would hit longballs. The way the game’s being called these days there’s only so much you can do defensively if no one’s hitting shots on our end.
Shooting should be A,B and C on the agenda this offseason …
You just gotta hope Thibs doesn’t go for another round of the “old school tough” players
They got those already, and they got the system in place on D but you wont win much w/out shooting these days when it matters
Rather see a Dougie McD than another brute down low , rather see a guard that can shoot than a guy like Schroeder or Lonzo up top
Fournier, Dinwiddie ….
Gary – I think Knick fans (me included) are a little on edge these days. Your larger point is one I agree with. Seen this dance before. A team overachieves though coaching. Coach is praised by fans and media. But alongside the praise comes unrealistic expectations by the same fans and media. If its seen for what it is, the job Thibs did this year can prove to be a building block at least as valuable as a high lottery pick. If it’s seen as something else, it can morph into the rope to hang him and this rebuild.
On Randle, I don’t necessarily think his game is inherently more vulnerable to playoff level defense than some others. I lean toward him not responding well to the situation, and, of course, a lack of team alternatives that cause us to force feed it.
You communicate my thoughts better than I do !! Let me copy and paste this and put it above and erase my stupid stuff :)
It’s one yr bro. I agree we all need to chill. But we do have to address the deficiencies. Another scorer and a starting PG.
Just like every team Al. Aside from the team that wins it all (and even them the next season,) we’ve all got needs and holes to fill. That’s what makes this fun. Fingers crossed for your Knicks. Would be nice to show strong and go from there.
Yeah I get you but DXC makes a good point. Thibs first yr. That 4th seed has given bigger expectations. I know this we work as team we can compete with Hawks. Just one gm lol. Garden is not letting them lose at home. One gm just one gm is all we need. Dude RJ come on we need you man.
Play kevin knox
Like I’ve been saying we need a point guard LEADER to move forward. How far would we go if Young was our point guard?
Signed life long knick fan.
When the hell is Bernard King gonna start scoring?