Julius Randle Has Finally Streamlined His Game

For years, it was common to see Julius Randle take questionable shots. Whether it was him leaning too heavily to one side, or fading away unnecessarily, Randle was good for at least a few “No, no, no!” shots every single game.

This season has seen Randle mature in his shot-selection, and quite substantially. He’s cut down on the awkward leaners, minimized his in-between game, and has now become a more refined scorer.

Let’s explore how he’s achieved that.

Two seasons ago, 16.7% of Randle’s offense was made up by the long two-pointer, which is beyond 16 feet and to the beginning of the three-point line. 20.1% of his offense came from 10-16 feet. As such, almost 37% of his shots were from mid-range.

That would have been fine if he’d been DeMar DeRozan, but Randle’s efficiency from those areas (41.4% from the long two, and 43.4% from between 10-16 feet) simply didn’t justify the volume he was using.

Fast forward two seasons, and Randle has scaled back. Way back. Just 5.7% of his offense now comes from the long two, and 10.8% from 10-16 feet. He’s gone from using over a third of his shooting possessions in those areas, to just 16.5% on the year.

He’s replaced those shots by making interior attempts a bigger emphasis, a process that started last season, and replacing the long two with three-pointers.

Randle is now taking 39.6% of his shots from within ten feet, and 43.9% of his shots from behind the long line. Essentially, Randle has begun playing Moreyball.

From an efficiency perspective, he’s still got some work to do. He’s hitting just 34% from the outside, which is below league average, and his 65% from within three feet could stand to see a bump, considering his strength and overall physicality.

However, Randle has found a way to make up for that. He’s drawing fouls at the highest rate since becoming a Knick, attempting 7.2 per game, and sporting a FTr of 40.4, marking the first time he’s been over that mark, while also taking as many three-pointers as he does.

While the execution is still lacking, Randle has found the right recipe. He’ll need to polish his efficiency in most areas, including from the line, if he is to turn the corner and become one of the league’s better efficiency players.

His 24.4 points per game is a career-high, and his role has clearly changed after the signing of point guard Jalen Brunson, who is now tasked with running the offense. That role used to be had by Randle, who over the two prior seasons dished out 5.6 assists, while trying to balance playmaking with his scoring responsibilities. Now, with Brunson on the floor, Randle has been able to lean into the role of scorer at a much higher clip.

The Knicks are 22-19 on the year, and their season still seems to be in purgatory. One five-game streak in either direction could turn them into a playoff team, or have them in the lottery. The line is razor-sharp this season, and as such, it’d behoove New York to find a more sustainable offensive footing.

Of their Big Three, consisting of Randle, Brunson, and RJ Barrett, only Randle sports a TS% higher than the league average of 57.7, and does so barely at 58.0%.

That has to change for the second half of the season, if the Knicks wish to cement themselves as a clear-cut playoff team, that has aspirations of making a deep run.

With Randle being the biggest, and most versatile, offensive weapon in their arsenal, onus is on him to increase his efficiency, and let Brunson and Barrett play off of him.

At least, finally, he’s on the right track to do just that.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.