Julius Randle in New York making the most of his playing opportunities

Oftentimes in life, success comes when people make the most of an opportunity when they get a bigger place in the workplace.

That’s the trans-simple, straightforward, metaphorical version of how Julius Randle puts up All-Star capital numbers as we approach the quarter-mark of New York Knicks ’incredible season, which according to Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts.

Entering Sunday’s game at Moda Center, the 26-year-old is receiving an average of 22.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game on shooting 47.9% off the field and a 33.8% mark from three still needs some polishing. All three count stats are top positions for the 6-foot-8 Randle, now more than successful in his 6th full season in the league.

“I don’t know what has changed,” Stotts said before Sunday’s tournament, the first from Portland since Monday after a two-game home series with Memphis was postponed due to concerns about a health and safety protocol with the Grizzlies. “The ball is in the hands.”

Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks play through Randle a lot, Stotts said, but despite that the University of Kentucky’s result is a 27.2% use rate at 36th highest in the NBA, a ticking below his 27.6 mark last season under David Fizdale and Mike Miller with New York and below his 27.8. rank in his one-year stint with Alvin Gentry’s New Orleans Pelicans. But Randle’s 29.3% assist rate surpasses his 19.3% career high set by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016-2017 season and ran 25th in the league, a shadow under 29.5% at Kyrie Irving.

“Randle has really come into his own as a scorer, playmaker, rebounder,” Stotts said. “It looks like he’s really shifted into the role as the main focus of the offense. ”

After being selected by the Lakers with the 7th overall selection of the 2014 NBA draft, Randle suffered an end-of-season leg injury in the first regular season game of his career. He played 14 minutes in total.

He was basically starting his next two seasons with Los Angeles, gaining an average of double in 2015-2016 on a weird and very bad team alongside the late Kobe Bryant in his last season, with Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams also play key roles. After Kobe retired, Randle averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 boards and 3.6 rebounds in the game as LA struggled again.

At just 23, Randle started fewer games in 2017-2018 as the Lakers embraced a younger heart led by Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma. LA let Randle go as they signed LeBron James and signed a one-year, $ 8.6 million deal with New Orleans to try to build its value. And it worked. He averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, earning a three-year, $ 60 million contract with the Knicks with an unqualified third year.

Randle almost averaged 20 and 10 with New York last year, but it didn’t really help RJ Barrett’s 3rd overall selection develop as a rookie and usually hindered range while he played. played poor defense while the Knicks struggled.

“His early years as a young player with the Lakers, a different New Orleans experience for him,” Stotts said. “But certainly as flexible as a great mobile man can play indoors and outdoors, I think everyone saw that early in their careers. ”

Randle has commented on trying to improve every year of his career, but it’s much better to be at the right place on the court, running the floor with determination while he opens gaps and drives lines for his teammates with a timely, purposeful pass. Without his jump to All-Star rank this year, the Knicks would not be near their 8-9 optimistic start.

“I always thought he was a skilled player for his size. He can handle, he can get to the basket, he can drive all the way, ”said Stotts. “I think many times with players, just finding and finding an important opportunity. ”

It’s definitely important this season for Randle, who has been an incredible release as one of the best players in the pandemic season.