Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has admitted to associates that he hasn’t been able to get Julius Randle to exhibit the same selflessness he had last season, an NBA source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. Randle’s downturn has been a major reason why the team has fallen into the race for the play-in tournament after finishing fourth in the East a year ago.
Many observers believe the $117MM extension that Randle signed during the offseason has changed his approach to the game, as he now feels that he has to take on a greater part of the scoring load to justify the contract. Berman also cites incidents where Randle has looked disinterested — he didn’t join a team huddle in a game last week and he has walked away from teammates who have been knocked to the ground rather than helping them up.
The Knicks are willing to consider everything heading into the deadline, sources tell Berman, even a deal involving Randle, who emerged as a team leader last season while capturing Most Improved Player honors. Berman suggests that Randle’s regression, along with his battles with fans and media, may convince team president Leon Rose that he’s no longer suited for a leadership role.
There’s more from New York:
- The Kings‘ De’Aaron Fox may be a natural target for the Knicks, who have been searching for a point guard for years, Berman adds in the same piece. New York general manager Scott Perry drafted Fox when he worked in Sacramento, but Berman says it’s no longer clear how much influence Perry has in the organization. He doesn’t accompany the team on the road, and the only executive currently making road trips is William Wesley, who Berman said has surpassed Perry in the team’s power structure.
- Derrick Rose needs to be active at the trade deadline to have any hope of turning this season around, argues Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. Vaccaro considers RJ Barrett, Rose, and Quentin Grimes to be the team’s untouchable players, along with Cam Reddish, only because the Knicks just gave up a first-round pick to acquire him. Everyone else, Vaccaro adds, should be available in the right deal.
- Ryan Arcidiacono‘s 10-day contract expired over the weekend, Berman tweets. The Knicks will keep the roster spot open for now, which could be an advantage heading into the deadline. Arcidiacono didn’t see any game action during his time with the team.
The Knicks shouldn’t question moving grimes, rose or reddish if it gets them a deal they like. There’s no way those guys should be “untouchable”
Reddish can only be moved 1-for-1 until 60 days after his original trade. Prob not upgrading on his upside in a 1-for-1 flip at this stage.
Randle’s regression may convince the FO to deal him (although I doubt it), but Randle has no battle with Knick fans (that’s evident in the arena anyway) and whatever battle he has with the media (Berman and his ilk) would only please this FO, which has its own. It might help the latter if Berman (after 3 years) would stop noting (like its a positive) that Perry drafted, traded for or otherwise had a relationship with a player at a prior stop. It’s irrelevant or, considering his track record, a negative.
In-arena attendance is not 100% Knicks fans. No idea what that ratio would be, but it probably starts at 75:25 and ticks closer to 60:40 with real data. In my experience there, couple seasons season tix, many 1-off games, with seats in diff parts of the building…feels like the interaction with folks is damn near 50:50 Knicks fans:out-of-country tourists/domestic tourists/non-sports fans just there with someone else/fans of opposing team.
What you can see watching the games is that it appears the in-arena celebration of Randle’s successes are not where they used to be. There was a definitive shift from Randle to Barrett before RJ went on that heater in January.
I remember one time Randle was going to the line for 2 and there was a “R-J BARRETT” chant going. Last week, it was an “OBI, OBI, OBI” chant with Randle at the line.
Maybe you’re right and it’s not as potent as it was right after the thumbs down. But there’s still something there.
Most don’t come to the arena often, I imagine. But how does Berman (or anyone) say that this group of fans is in a “battle” with Randle.
The MSG crowd, collectively, may not be as sophisticated about the game as they once were, but here’s what still true as much as ever: they know the game, care about it way too much and want the players to care that much as well. Give them that (effort and focused play), they cheer it. Give them the opposite, they’ll boo it. Key word is “it”. Either way, it’s nothing personal. Chants can turn on a dime; you know why? Because it’s nothing personal.
Ok from that perspective I think we’re on the same page. It’s nothing personal with Randle, we cheer effort & heart, we boo a perceived lack of either.
But it sure seems like Randle is taking it personally via his on-court behavior.
I guess I’m viewing that as some pseudo “battle”. He seems to want to continue receiving what he was getting last year, without last year’s performances on his part.
Maybe battle is the wrong word then.. because that implies it’s something he can win with the current state of things (his up & down effort levels). It’s not. He’s the only variable. Fans are a constant.
…ok, it’s not a battle. We agree lol. Carry on.
Fox is a needle mover.
Knicks have no assets to acquire him.
Now all top-20 teams are targeting needle mover.
It is about assets.
Let’s say Clippers want LaVert, but they don’t have good assets.
Sell our vets in Burks, Noel and Kemba, and give real PT for the kids. McBride, Quickley, Grimes, Reddish can all be real good players in a couple yrs
I’ve been ready for Toppin to start. But he needs a real PG to bring out the best in him. Fox is starting to look good to me. Randle is not a leader, never was. Frankly I don’t think he can handle NY. He needs a small market.
Fox is more attainable if we take Bagley or Buddy. Since they want to get rid of both. I’m good with Bagley coming. Give them Mitch they need a center.
Knicks definitely doing something by TD. I just pray it’s not a panic move. Fox pushing the ball can work with Knicks. But you gotta move Randle the ball stopper.
I dont think Fox is a great fit. Not a consistent shooter nor playmaker. Knicks need a PG who can avg 7+ ast