Post by Tom Izzo on Jan 30, 2021 8:30:35 GMT
Many of you knew this was coming. At the beginning of the season, those in the Discord chat were subject to my memeing regarding Randle being the GOAT. However, the memeing quickly turned into legitimate praise as Randle continued his elevated play. Of course, my praise was regularly met with resistance. However, I feel the time has come. We are 20 games in, or 28% of the regular season.
I understand because lolKnicks and lolRandle are so popular, I have to make this a detailed argument and I am prepared to defend my proposed rating. The evidence follows:
Individual Stats
Julius Randle is putting up very impressive numbers at 22.5 PPG/11.3 RPG/6.0 APG. Most impressive for Randle is his nearly doubling of his assist per game numbers while increasing his efficiency. He has become a point-forward for the Knicks where the offense facilitates through him and he's impressed in that role. The stats are impressive on their own of course, but his improvement from last year is really remarkable.
He's made these strides while also keeping his TO% relatively flat: 14.3% in 2019-2020 compared to 14.8% in 2020-2021.
So he's not only improved his playmaking, but he's increased his efficiency and shooting overall as you can tell. But specifically in regards to his playmaking, his current assist rate actually ranks as the eighth-highest single-season rate for any player with a center designation since the 1976 NBA-ABA merger.
If that stat isn't impressive enough, the group Randle currently belongs to may surprise you: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle, and Domantas Sabonis. Those are the only players in the NBA currently averaging at least 20 points per game, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. In fact, of these 4 players, Randle ranks second in rebounds, second in assists, and third in points.
The case for him to be an All-Star this year is strong and the campaign is already very active. If he keeps up this production, I believe he will be an All-Star reserve this season and it would be wholly deserved.
Team Stats
Raise your hand if you are surprised to find out that the #1 defense in the NBA is actually the New York Knicks? That's right.
Allowing only 102.7 PPG, an opponent FG% of 42.6%, and an opponent 3PT% of 31.3%, the Knicks rank #1 in the NBA in all three categories.
The Knicks also sit in the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference right now at 9-11 with an average point differential of only -1.1. So, they're competing well but losing close contests, on average.
I bring these stats up to highlight that the Knicks, while not toward the top of the Eastern Conference, are clearly an improved team that is competing night in and night out, and Randle is leading the way for them. He's their point leader, rebound leader, and assist leader.
Look, I get it. People don't like Julius Randle. But the numbers and his play are clearly elevated and it's hard to discount that. He has a case to be an All-Star this year. I'm not saying that will or will not happen - I am just saying he has a case. Looking at the evidence, I believe it is clear he is due for an upgrade based on his performance this season. NBA2k21 happens to agree. Thus,
Current: 82
Proposed: 86
I understand because lolKnicks and lolRandle are so popular, I have to make this a detailed argument and I am prepared to defend my proposed rating. The evidence follows:
Individual Stats
Julius Randle is putting up very impressive numbers at 22.5 PPG/11.3 RPG/6.0 APG. Most impressive for Randle is his nearly doubling of his assist per game numbers while increasing his efficiency. He has become a point-forward for the Knicks where the offense facilitates through him and he's impressed in that role. The stats are impressive on their own of course, but his improvement from last year is really remarkable.
Stats | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 |
TS% | 53.7% | 57.3% |
FT% | 73.3% | 81.4% |
3PT% | 27.7% | 35.6% |
AST% | 15.8% | 28.6% |
Net Rating | -5.9 | +1.4 |
He's made these strides while also keeping his TO% relatively flat: 14.3% in 2019-2020 compared to 14.8% in 2020-2021.
So he's not only improved his playmaking, but he's increased his efficiency and shooting overall as you can tell. But specifically in regards to his playmaking, his current assist rate actually ranks as the eighth-highest single-season rate for any player with a center designation since the 1976 NBA-ABA merger.
If that stat isn't impressive enough, the group Randle currently belongs to may surprise you: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle, and Domantas Sabonis. Those are the only players in the NBA currently averaging at least 20 points per game, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. In fact, of these 4 players, Randle ranks second in rebounds, second in assists, and third in points.
The case for him to be an All-Star this year is strong and the campaign is already very active. If he keeps up this production, I believe he will be an All-Star reserve this season and it would be wholly deserved.
Team Stats
Raise your hand if you are surprised to find out that the #1 defense in the NBA is actually the New York Knicks? That's right.
Allowing only 102.7 PPG, an opponent FG% of 42.6%, and an opponent 3PT% of 31.3%, the Knicks rank #1 in the NBA in all three categories.
The Knicks also sit in the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference right now at 9-11 with an average point differential of only -1.1. So, they're competing well but losing close contests, on average.
I bring these stats up to highlight that the Knicks, while not toward the top of the Eastern Conference, are clearly an improved team that is competing night in and night out, and Randle is leading the way for them. He's their point leader, rebound leader, and assist leader.
Look, I get it. People don't like Julius Randle. But the numbers and his play are clearly elevated and it's hard to discount that. He has a case to be an All-Star this year. I'm not saying that will or will not happen - I am just saying he has a case. Looking at the evidence, I believe it is clear he is due for an upgrade based on his performance this season. NBA2k21 happens to agree. Thus,
Current: 82
Proposed: 86