With the Knicks going through rough times, leadership is essential. However, Julius Randle‘s personality doesn’t lend itself to that role, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Randle, who was signed to a $106MM+ extension, doesn’t fit the mold of a vocal leader and can occasionally be a loner in the locker room, according to Berman.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Khris Middleton suffered a hyperextended left knee on Monday but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is optimistic the injury isn’t significant, Tim Bontemps of ESPN tweets. “We’ll know more (Tuesday), but I think there’s some hope that it’s not serious,” he said. “But you’ve got to weigh it and give it time.”
- Celtics president Brad Stevens needs to shake up the roster, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer opines. Rather than dealing one of his stars, Stevens needs to improve the supporting cast by moving veterans such as Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson and Al Horford or young players such as Robert Williams and Romeo Langford, according to O’Connor, who adds that shooting and play-making should be the top priorities in any potential deal.
- Hawks swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic, sidelined since late November by a right ankle sprain, has progressed to individual on-court workouts, Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Bogdanovic underwent an MRI shortly after spraining the ankle and the team at that time said he’d miss at least two weeks of action.
- Magic center Mohamed Bamba suffered a right ankle sprain on Sunday, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel reports. It’s unclear how much time Bamba might miss due to the injury, which occurred during the third quarter of the team’s game against the Lakers.
Not a bad idea to switch up the supporting cast for the Celtics.
Just some random names I’d be looking to bring in would be Davis Bertans, TJ Warren, Thad Young, Myles Turner, Christian Wood, Malik Beasley and Ben Simmons.
Bertans and that contract is horrible.
Bertans is having a down season and yes that deal isn’t good but he dropped a cool 21 points today going 8/13 from the field and 5/9 from deep.
He’s a career 40% from 3, 39th best all time, 11th best out of current players.
He’s a still a decent player just having a bad year so far. I’d rather him than JRich
Again…Bertans contract is horrible.
Much rather have great defender & 2 way player Josh Richardson.
JRIch sucks and has sucked ever since his 1 good season in Miami.
Bertans is one of the better three point shooters in the league and one of the best big man shooters. If not the best big man shooter. To bad he doesn’t offer much else
Randle is playing more like he was two yrs ago. Than like he was last yr. It’s not just his stats down. More bad decisions. He’s become a ball stopper. And even his D is down. Last yr Thibs talked about pushing the ball more. For next yr therefore getting a starting PG. Well he didn’t use Kemba right. Randle didn’t want him to handle the ball. And Kembas D did not help matters.
So Thibs gives in to Randle. And here we are still looking for a PG to run the team.
I’ve had it with Randle and him thinking he’s Magic. And Mitch being out of shape and not controlling the middle. Thibs better wake up and get control. We took a big step forward last yr. And now we are taking two steps backwards.
Grant or Turner makes us better. Neither would take a lot from us. In fact We got enough assets to get both. And NO I don’t want to give up RJ or Fournier.
Knick fans are loud complainers and their team always loses. Nothing new here. They’ll probably go 30 years without making the finals.
Pointing out flaws. And giving answers on who can help. Is complaining ????
I must know too much.
I wasn’t talking about you. I know how to use the reply button.
Stevens did a bad job giving those contracts to Smart and Williams, now they cant be moved for + value. Mayba trading them for Powell or McCollum. Bertans for Williams also work, two bad long contracts.
Bertans for Williams? What?
Rob Williams gives the Celtics a jumping jack who blocks shots and dunks ally oops. That’s a talent I can’t remember at the Celts. I’d be totally shocked if TimeLord is traded!
He is not a good rebounder. Can his body hold up to starters minutes (32 mpg)?
Randle ain’t a leader, ain’t a top player ok but he got the bag so Knicks FO should trade him …
Williams is not going anywhere for the Celtics unless a center comes back. They should have kept Moses Brown. Give Freedom his freedom. I could drive past him.
So how many of this year’s Olympians are now injured? Middleton was an accident waiting to happen playing in both the Finals and Olympics. He should have been on minutes restriction for half of the season. Water under the bridge…
Would a minutes restriction prevent a hyper extended knee?
Imagine writing an article saying a team needs to prioritize shooting when the team’s leading three point shooter from the previous season is getting DNPs.. the Celts need to upgrade Smart and fire Udoka
Knicks never should of signed Randle to extension when they did. That deal kills the Knicks chances of getting a #1 option with not much space cap left. The Knicks probably did it because players still don’t want to come to NY.
Berman’s skills don’t lend themselves to basketball analysis or much of anything else. Randle’s current issues are real but they have NOTHING to do with his leadership skills. Berman can’t write about basketball, so this is what he puts out there. I’m hardly Randle’s biggest fan, but the premise of this article is nonsense.
Randle’s not vocal, so what? A bunch of the league’s best players aren’t vocal. Randle wasn’t vocal last year either, but it didn’t stop his teammates volunteering their praise for his leadership – yes, specifically, leadership. They don’t know who their leaders are, or Berman doesn’t – take your pick.