Julius Randle Is An All-Star And Everything Is Right With The World
I don't usually get too high or low about players on my team making All-Star games because so often it seems to be a popularity contest outside of the no-brainers and watching people lose their fucking minds about whether or not their favorite players can play an exhibition game is lowkey hilarious. But as someone who has watched Julius Randle put this Knicks team on his back in the first competitive season in almost a decade, I was praying he got the privilege to go to what will no doubt be the lamest NBA All-Star Weekend ever. Not only because he deserves it as the leader of the team but because of how much better he has gotten. Last season, every time Randle got the ball and started up his spin cycle, it felt like sticking your hand in a grab bag where you would either pick out a cupcake, a rattlesnake, or a bear trap. Now whenever he has the rock, I feel a calmness take over me, which is a very alarming feeling for a Knicks fan to feel. I mean look at these stats.
Last year, Randle made a 19 and 9 game seem like a trip to the dentist. Now he is throwing up stats not seen since Larry Legend as the big, agile lefty at the gym that would give anyone the business. That could be thanks to his teammates and coaching staff being better (Shout out Kentucky for allowing Kenny Payne to come to New York at the cost of their program). Regardless of why it's all clicking, Julius earned his All-Star spot along with hopefully a nice bonus and what should be a warm reception from the 2000 or so people attending MSG tonight for the first time in almost a year. Also all this happening on the same day this came out was pretty sweet.
