KEY POINTS

  • Julius Randle and Larry Bird hold something in common in NBA history
  • Randle hints at working on another part of his game
  • The Knicks are looking to improve on last season’s playoff achievement

Julius Randle of the New York Knicks knows that there is no way to go up even if pundits feel he has improved by leaps and bounds.

However, that will not stop the 26-year-old from continuing to work on his game.

Although the Knicks failed to go deep in last year’s NBA playoffs, it was a better performance for the franchise compared to the past years.

As far as Randle is concerned, the 2020-21 season ended perfectly.

“It was two things. One, just to see hard work pays off, but it was also very motivating and it ended perfectly, in a sense, because it motivated me to want more, to push myself even more, and that’s what I did,” Randle said in an interview with Uproxx.

With the breakthrough, Randle knows that more work needs to be done. After showing improved shooting, the seventh overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft hints that he is working on more improvements–something fans can only see once the 2021-22 season starts.

“You always have things that you expect in the offseason to yourself. Regardless, and that’s to be in amazing shape coming into camp,” Randle stated. “Obviously I’m not gonna tell you the secrets, [laughs], I’ll just let you see it. But ultimately, I think I’ll be a much better player and our team will be much better for sure."

Randle’s improved shooting was notable and this showed in his 2020-21 season performance.

Also, not all may have noticed that he achieved a feat that only retired NBA player and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird accomplished.

Randle and Bird are the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, according to Henry Liao of Sports Bytes PH.

Julius Randle
Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball Getty Images | Julio Aguilar

Aside from that, Randle and Bird are the only players to post a three-point field goal percentage of .400 or better in the same campaign.

The University of Kentucky product normed 24.1 points, 10.2 boards, and 6 feeds in 71 games. Furthermore, he shot .411 (160-for-338) from beyond the arc with the Knicks.

Given his progress, it will be interesting what else Randle has to improve on and show for the coming NBA season.

Regardless, it seems evident that he is rising in the NBA ranks after starting his professional career on a sour note with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014.

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