Kemba, Fournier and Burks on the Block

Despite Obi Toppin's strong play of late (averaging 15.5 points on 67% shooting), the sophomore saw only sporadic minutes off the bench vs. the Bucks on Friday.

The Knicks were pulverized by the best player on the planet, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and his Bucks Friday night in Milwaukee, 123-108. It was 

New York's sixth loss in their last seven games and the 'Bockers now find themselves in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, a full game behind the surging Hawks, who are currently riding a six-game winning streak. When the Knicks beat Atlanta just two weeks ago, back on January 15th, they were a full 4.5 games ahead of the Hawks.

The Knicks hung close to Bucks for the first three quarters before the reigning NBA Finals MVP took over. Giannis finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two triples, and one steal. It was a virtuoso performance. What stands out when watching Antetokounmpo isn't just the ungodly combination of size and athleticism; it is the tenacity and aggression with which he plays every second he's on the floor. I remain amazed that Giannis, who now has two MVP awards and a Larry O'Brien trophy on his resume, still competes for every inch like a guy on a 10-day contract. 

I was texting with a buddy last night, and he pointed out how Antetokounmpo is, in many ways, the antithesis of the 2022 version of Julius Randle. 

Julius struggled once again Friday night, tallying just nine points (on 4-of-9 shooting), 11 rebounds and three assists (vs. four turnovers). Over the Knicks' last five games, he's averaging 13.2 points and as many turnovers (4.4) as assists (4.4). He's shooting an atrocious 38.7% from the floor, 25% from deep and 68.4% from the charity stripe. 

Incredibly, it's the first time Randle has averaged fewer than 14 points while shooting below 40% from the floor and 25% from downtown over a five-game span since his first full year in the NBA, back in 2015-16, when he was a member of the Lakers. (He's the first Knicks with fewer than 70 points and more than 20 turnovers in a five-game span since Bron Davins in 2012)

Speaking with reporters before Friday's game, Randle stated he "wouldn't change" his decision to sign a max contract over the summer. "I still want to be a part of it. I still want to see this thing through. I still want to be a part of helping trying to bring a championship to the Knicks," Randle said. "So, I'm not going to be happy and be all about it when things are good and just because it's not necessarily going the way I want it to or the team wants it to run and hide."

He later added he plans on "working every day, trying to be an infectious leader with my spirit and my energy and just try to be positive." The problem is actions speak louder than words. His lack of effort has been more damning than his lack of production. 

This play, in particular, when Randle sees Obi Toppin fall to the floor but refuses to help him up, was the exact opposite of what Randle was preaching mere hours earlier. 

Watch Kemba, who was yanked from the starting lineup and benched for ten straight games earlier this season, rush to help up his teammate while Randle turns his back on Obi and walks away. 

Obviously, during this recent slump, Randle hasn't merely regressed from his All-NBA level of play last season. He looks lost on the floor, lacking the confidence that drove him mere months ago. 

During the 166 minutes Randle has been on the floor during this current five-game stretch, the Knicks have been outscored by 89 points. No other Knicks has a plus/minus below -63. Meanwhile, the Knicks have outscored their opponents by 53 points in the 77 minutes Obi Toppin has been on the court.