After another poor shooting night, Julius Randle expressed confidence that he and the Knicks will turn things around in the first-round series against Atlanta, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Randle missed 13 of 15 field-goal attempts in Game 3 on Friday.
“We just got to adjust, just got to adjust and we will,’’ he said. “It’s on me. I just got to find a way to read the outlets quicker.’’
Impending free agent Derrick Rose was the main source of offense after being inserted into the lineup in place of slumping Elfrid Payton. Rose believes the team has been frustrated by its lack of offensive execution.
“When we’re not making shots, we still have to play with that sense of urgency,’’ Rose said.
We have more on the New York teams:
- RJ Barrett has also been in an offensive funk in the series, Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post notes. The Knicks shooting guard is averaging 11.3 PPG and shooting 32.6% from the field during the series. “I’m getting a lot of wide-open shots,” he said. “I need to make them.”
- James Harden saw a silver lining in the Nets’ Game 3 loss to Boston on Friday, according to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic. Harden believes the team had been lulled into a false sense of security after winning the first two games at home. “This probably was good for us,” Harden said. “Especially after our last game when we played so well. This was a good reminder for us that things aren’t going to be so easy.”
- The Nets slowly worked Blake Griffin into their mix after signing him this season and general manager Sean Marks said the team has been pleasantly surprised how much he has left in the tank, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne writes. “We knew what we were getting in terms of veteran and high-IQ player,” Marks said. “So it was about being able to maximize what he’s got left, career-wise. And from the first day we got him, we could see, ‘OK, there’s some more there.'” With the superstars carrying the team in the playoffs, Griffin is averaging a modest 5.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 3.0 APG in the first-round series against Boston.
The Brooklyn Nets allowed Tristan Thompson to look like Shaquille O’Neal back in his Miami Heat days. They better figure out how to play these Celtics more physically, or else we’ll be back here for a Game 6. Blake Griffin at the 5 ain’t the answer we need to advance
They need to give DeAndre Jordan a chance to put a body on him. I didn’t think the Nets would lose that much with Green out of the lineup, but Griffin and Claxton were abused on the boards by Claxton. I put this one on Nash. At the very least, he could have put DJ in coming out of the locker room to start the second half to see if he could change the tide at all. Some coaches’ adherence to a rotation is mindboggling when you see it just isn’t working.
They need to give DeAndre Jordan a chance to put a body on him. I didn’t think the Nets would lose that much with Green out of the lineup, but Griffin and Claxton were abused on the boards by Thompson, I mean. I put this one on Nash. At the very least, he could have put DJ in coming out of the locker room to start the second half to see if he could change the tide at all. Some coaches’ adherence to a rotation is mindboggling when you see it just isn’t working.
Green’s career was revitalized last season with Harden in Houston.
I think the Nets might be concerned with the Bucks frontcourt. Brook Lopez is going to be a problem and he will be hyped to face his former team.
Randle can’t handle the spot light. He looks AWFUL in the series
Knicks fan and I fully agree. I hope he turns it around but he looks terrible.
Nets’ fan here and I fully disagree. Randle is an improved player, yet you’re seeing there’s levels to being a Star in the NBA. Nate McMillan is a very good coach and he had one week to study how Thibodeau operates. They’ve figured out how to neutralize Randle and unfortunately for the knix, they go as far as he can take them. Has everything to do with preparation, nothing to do with the spotlight
Knicks fan here and Randle has been terrible. 24% from the floor thru 3 games — there’s no defense that’ll cause that type of dropoff. This is on Randle.
there’s no defense that’ll cause that type of drop-off??… Lol what does that even mean? That’s precisely what good defense does
It’s actually fairly easy to understand bro. Also you could just watch the games — Randle is clearly shook. Not taking advantage of mismatches, missing wide open shots, just being timid overall.
Atlanta’s played well. But acting like they’ve become an all-time defensive squad is a little absurd.
Its funny that you think it would take an all time great defensive team to shut down these Knicks. DRose (even now after the injuries) is a great offensive player & has killed the Hawks his whole career. I expected Rose to do #s. Other than that you got Randle & nobody else that we’re that worried about. Nate McMillan gets talked about a small fraction of what Thibs does but Nate is a great defensive coach & unlike during the regular season Nate now has great defensive options to throw at Julius. In his 1st playoff series, being the focus of a defense that’s had over a week to get ready for him & honestly lacking as far as decision making, ball handing & shot making compared to most #1 options i sorta expected Julius to struggle. Feel free to blame his body language if it makes u feel better lol but u really should be blaming John/Dre/Nate fr
Randle is by no means an all-time great but in fairness he was an All-NBA level guy this year. Shooting 25% in a game happens. Doing it three straight games is just a flat out failure to adjust IMO.
But hey maybe you’re right. Maybe Atlanta is an all-time great defensive team. I guess if they end up winning this series we can test your hypothesis in the next round against Embiid. If he shoots 30% from the floor I’ll be the first one to congratulate you.
Lol bro I never called Atl an all time great defense but you have twice now so maybe some minds are being changed lol.. but yea I gotta admit that a failure to adjust is definitely going on but I mean at the end of the day yall are just gettin beat by a better team. I vividly remember Joe Johnson going thru postseason stretches like this as a young player when he was being the focus of talented, prepared postseason defense for the 1st time & being doubled and often triple teamed but it served to improve him as a player and I’m sure same will happen to Julius
Ha, maybe I’m the real Hawks fan here after all lol
I think most agreed Atlanta was the more talented squad, but IMO stars get their’s regardless in this league. Randle has some time left to prove he’s on that level. But if he doesn’t soon we’ll be discussing Trae vs Simmons instead. We’ll see.
Ok fan boy. You wongm3 and looked good. And Hawks D is the difference. Gm 1 could of easily gone the other way. If they guarded Young at end like they did in gm 2. So enjoy it while it lasts. Today you take off that uni and wash it after the gm ok. RJ and Randle are not going like this all series. Thibs is getting g out coached. Hawks team D has stepped up. We are also not shooting g well as a team. Offense is not our strength. We get offense from work, RJ, Randle. Reason Rise is scoring g us cause you don’t key on him like you do RJ n Randle. Only 3 gms and we still won one playing bad. Today things change.
I highly doubt we’ll hold Embiid to 30% lol but ofc he’s a good deal better than Julius. He’s also a good deal more experienced and surrounded by better players. All of that matters. That being said, the Hawks will DEFINITELY defend Embiid better than DC currently is. But with Philly I think we’d focus just as much on locking down on Tobias & their shooters as we would Embiid, except when Clint is outta the game
@buttholesurfer69… Butler for MIA has been as bad as JR for NYK… so are you sayin’ Butler is just a terrible player?
Yeah they’re both terrible players man, both gonna be in the G league next season w/ DSJ and Jeremy Lin
If Trae Young were struggling the way Randle is then Thibs (& to a lesser extent the NY guards) would be getting showered with praise right now. Why isn’t Nate McMillan, John Collins or Dre Hunter getting any credit at all for locking down JuJu???
If the Knicks lose the series, it falls on the doorstep of Randle and also Barrett. Their play has been awful except for Randle in the second half of game two. Randle made as many field goals as Toppin last night. He’s been doubled a lot this year but for some reason, can’t seem to handle the Hawks and their soft double (soft as in the second defender hangs out more in Randle’s sight and passing lanes rather than charging at him; not knocking the Hawks defense, which has been good). Needs to make adjustments and hit open shots.
Also bad is the body language of Randle and Barrett. No energy or aggression and they look half-asleep out there or apathetic. Randle in particular is supposed to be a leader and he looks disinterested or overwhelmed by the moment.
Knicks aren’t that good. They are the least talented team in the playoffs IMO. They play hard and are well-coached, but that only goes so far.
Thibs poor coaching is not helping the Knicks
WHEN the Knicks lose this series it will be bc the Hawks are a much better team, which they obviously are. Weird that people are missing this obvious point
No doubt Hawks are more talented but here’s another obvious point — no defense on the planet will make a guy who shot 45/41 during the year shoot 24/30 in the playoffs
Not to mention Randle murdered the Hawks in the reg season.
If Hawks win it’ll be a testament to Randle choking in the moment as much as Trae & co’s superior talent.
there’s definitely a defense on the planet that would make that happen lol the defense that literally just did it.. Julius was great vs Atl in the reg season true but Dre & John were injured for those games & they’re the 1s locking Julius down. Plus Nate had over a week to prepare. It was obv that we’d try to take away Randle & thats exactly whats happened. Its a perfect example of great coaching meeting great execution
Keep in mind it’s 2-1 not 3-0. Knicks win tomorrow and it’s best 2 out of 3 with home court. That being said Hawks have outplayed the Knicks and NY is clearly out of rhythm. I think either RJ or Randle needs to find a groove, then both will. Let’s not forget Capella underneath as well limiting their ability to drive.
Knicks got very little chance of winning tmrw. Hawks are 18-2 at home in the last 20. That’s dominance. You’re right about Clint being a huge part of Julius struggling. Tbh i think NYs best chance is someone like IQ, Bullock or Burks gettin hot more than waiting on Randle & RJ to put up #s. From now on Julius need to focus on being a distributor and averaging 12asts for the rest of the series. Ima be honest its no hope for RJ vs Dre tho. Dre just better than RJ
@buttholesurfer69… Jimmy Butler says hello… he shot 30/27… killin’ MIA in the process, right?
Is this comment arguing that Jimmy Butler shooting 30% from the floor wasn’t detrimental to Miami this postseason? I’m not sure what you’re arguing tbh.
Totally agree on Randle’s body language. A lot of head down and looking around like he’s not shooting 6/23 and 2/15 from the floor. Very surprising and very disappointing given the season he just had.
Last year offseason
Heat and Knicks strategy got F from me
You are not getting any top talents if you can offer one year contracts
In offseason
Knicks and Heat should be hunting
Cam Payne
Forbes
Portis
Caruso
Lonzo
John Collins
Let’s say Payne market value is 2 years $30 million
You pay 2 years $40 million
Kill it
Unless NY is willing to give up Obi plus multiple 1sts i don’t see any way they could get John (even then Atl would still probably keep him). Hawks have no reason to let him go anytime. If not for his foul trouble in gm2 this would be a sweep
Ok fanatics. Hawks are keying on Randle. That’s what you do when he avg 37 against you. Knicks talent is not on the offensive side. Most their offense comes from working the gm. Using the bench for sparks. All year lols. Have we already forgot their overachieving this yr. Still Randle and Knicks have not handled Hawks adjustments well. It’s not one guy. It’s whole team keying on Randle. They are just waiting for him to make his move. Knicks offense does not have enough motion to make them pay. Plus they are missing shots. And Thibs is panicking. Look at the facts —
Knicks need Randle and RJ to be at least good. Not there yet. But Terrible really. Give Hawks credit we win tmrw and it’s tied up. Relax and chill tfo.
Randle stats- gm1 loss by 2 pts. 15 pts, 12 reb, 2ast.
They shot 44.6% FG, 33% 3PT, 73.3% FT.
They had nerves and it showed. If we D up Young like they did in second gm we win. I all ready posted this.
gm2 win by 9. Randle stats – 15 pts, 12 reb. 4ast.
Knicks shot 38% FG, that’s terrible.
Randles, That’s a decent line.
gm3 lose by 11. Randle stats – 14 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast.
Knicks shot 35.8% FG. That’s terrible. Knicks not shooting and Hawks playing better D. OK, Thibs WAKE up please.
RJ is pressing and playing bad. Randle is ok just not adjusting well. Thibs is not helping him. He should let Obi1 play more . Knicks win tmrw and it’s a whole new series. Biggest thing is Sit Payton play Frank. Rose can not play 35 mins a night. It’s the wrong move. Play Burkes more at PG with RJ. I’m the biggest Thibs guy here. He is not Handling this well. Hawks D is working. They have taken Knicks two biggest offensive weapons out. Knicks and Thibs not handling it well. Randle will have a big gm, at least one. Can’t go down 3-1. We should of won gm1. You understand why I said they chocked it NOW. Young is a good player. Not freakin MJ so let’s wake up and shut him down. Put Frank on him from beginning, full court. Eat clock.
What did I say about playing Harden full court. You saw Celtics doing that. Huh you feeling me now. All about tmrw. Wake up Thibs. You are getting out coached.
You’re right about Thibs, he’s getting outcoached by Nate more than anybody has ever outcoached him in his career. Hawks are just a better team and its obviously. If not for ridiculous foul trouble on John in gm2 this is probably a sweep. Starting Frank won’t matter tho. He’s the best defensive pg yall have & he would still get cooked by Trae. Dre Hunter is a guy that hasn’t even played much since January & he’s basically been dominant defensively & has completely outplayed his counterpart in RJ. Hawks do not lose at home bro, 18-2 in our last 20 in Atl. Rose is only positive at all but really his inability to contain Trae at all sorta wrecks what Thibs wants to do defensively & makin it muddy & low scoring is the only way NY will win another gm this season
You need to stop being a Homer fan. And look at the facts. Hawks do have deeper talent. Talent is not always the best team. Knicks proved that all YEAR. Not for 2 gms. Dude fans in Garden did affect Knicks. Still it was a winnable gm. 2 pts lol. Knicks win by working both ways. Young aint Curry or even Cousy. Knicks have been light on him. He will still get his 20. But he should be paid more attention. Knicks offense isn’t great but it’s not this bad either. I expect the Real Knicks to show up today. Use our depth and Thibs stay true and not panick. Honestly I think the Hawks coming in are probably favs. But Knicks can win this series. And the low scoring is a good sign for us. Unfortunately for us Hawks have played the better D. We’ll see today. Only thing you are sweeping is your house.
Cannot agree more about Thibs he has to wake the F UP !!!
Al, you know as well as I do star players make the necessary adjustments in the playoffs. When PG13 was shooting against the side of the backboard last year no one was saying “Denver took him out.” That was on him.
Likewise, if Randle wants to be considered amongst the stars in this league he needs to step up. Hunter is no Kawhi and Collins is historically not even a good defender. 6/23 and 2/15 won’t cut it.
Randle is a guy who made a case this season that he was in that convo. Right now it’s looking like maybe he’s not. And if he isn’t our season will be over sooner than later.
Surfer…You guys just have no damn shooting tbh …it makes defending Randle so so much easier-
Court shrinks in the playoffs every year, if there are no threats outside its going to be hard for anyone to make bread in the paint or at the elbow … This Knicks team would be a bad shooting team in the 90’s. Nowadays its almost unheard of –
Really need to get 2 shooters next year, this should eliminate Schroeder and Lonzo (not that their bad players )….but yall need 2 new good to great shooters in your top 8 of the rotation *Along w a Rose re-ink ….almost have to wonder if a stretch 4/5 for the bench is needed as well…lotta cash to spend spend it wisely ! –
I agree with what Sankara said earlier, I think if yll win a game or 2 or 3 this series it will more likely be a guy like Bullock or IQ making some shots and thus opening up floor for Randle to eat a little as well
Al’s right in the regards we have to remember this Knicks team greatly overachieved this year , meanwhile ATL is at its healthiest and playing its best ball of the year….. But hey early start game, maybe its a mucked up groggy game which benefits NYK….one at a time one at a time
Almost think you need to go into the trade market here in the offseason as I dont think free agency will have all the {right} ingredients to cook the dish to perfection
Don’t need 3 1st , this team is almost young to a fault (*outside Taj/Rose) as is considering your now a playoff team on the rise. If Randles staying (I assume he is) OBi might be better served as a trade piece as well
Indeed, I don’t disagree with the overall premise of Sankara, Al, or you—I only disagree with the extent of it as it pertains to Jules.
Knicks lack of shooting, Hunter playing, Nate outcoaching Thibs—I agree all have been significant factors.
My sole counter is that it’s still on the best player to find ways to get make things happen. Shot isn’t going? Ok, then get to the line and involve other guys. Randle isn’t even doing that—he’s been to the line 14 times in 3 games and he’s averaging 3.3 apg.
We’ll see this afternoon though, maybe he and Thibs can figure something out.
Adjustments come from team first . Yes Randle has to step up. Coach and team has to back him. Look he is having g nerves issues to me. He’s missed open looks. But that should go away already. Hawks are D ‘ing up. They gave whole team ready to switch and always send a guy late when he drives. This is why I said gm one. He should post more. Especially you get a smaller player on switch. Clear out one side post him and abuse him. But Hawks immediately double all the time. They are keying on our top options. Randle n RJ. That’s on Thibs. You can’t attack basket when whole team is waiting for you to do that. Change it up. Start by posting Randle. They double you got ole threes. Other guys have to step up. Also less dribbling and more passing. You can’t attack good D by dribbling. We need to pick them up full court and post Randle. Like to see Toppin get mi s at 5 and do more motion offense. Only three gms. Give Hawks credit their D has stepped up. Today is a new day. RJ n Randle need to wake up
Agree on nerves and on the post-ups and mismatches.
Only thing I’ll add is I’d like to see them let Randle initiate the offense a little more. Rose has been great, but Randle is still our best playmaker at the end of the day. Running the PnR with him as ball handler should improve our ability to generate open threes at least.
Saw the Knicks when they sored 13 in qtr2. Then I had to decide whether to turn to ABC for a different game. Any game, get me out of here.
You cannot start Rose, and taking away Payton reduces Randle. I wish somebody would give Burks a steady job.
This is a great point. As much as I’ve scorned Payton this season the answer starting PG is not Rose.
Staggering Rose and Randle worked well bc Randle excelled this year as playmaker. Now They’ve been running everything through Rose making Randle an off ball threat which hasn’t done him
any favors.