Knicks Inching Closer To Rock Bottom?

Julius Randle's regression has gone from ominous to alarming.

Game Recap: Heat Smack the Knicks, 110-96
As I noted last week, fans and pundits that claimed last week's loss to the Pelicans (in which little-known Jose Alvarado lit up MSG) represented rock bottom for the Knicks were likely in for a rude awakening.

Well, Wednesday's blowout in Miami was really tough to watch, and the Knicks now head to Milwaukee to face the reigning champion Bucks. Then after two games at home (one of them against the red-hot Grizzlies), New York embarks on a grueling five-game West Coast road trip. So, yeah, things can (and probably will) get worse over before they get better.

The loss to Miami last night was emblematic of the team's struggles all season, namely New York falling behind by a considerable deficit early after the starters came out with little shockingly little intensity. The reserves entered the contest and brought a spark, making the score respectable at halftime, only to see the Knicks' first unit get absolutely buried in the third quarter.   

And, once again, Julius Randle deserves a hefty dose of criticism. Randle shot just 5-of-12 shots en route to 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and four turnovers. The Knicks were outscored by a whopping 34 points in the 27 minutes Randle was on the floor. And despite the team being fined $25,000 last week by the NBA for failing to have the team's highest-paid player speak to reporters, Randle dodged post-game questions once again Wednesday evening. 

Randle's regression has gone from ominous to alarming. Over the 16 games the Knicks have played since Christmas Day, Randle is averaging 15.9 points and 3.4 turnovers while shooting a putrid 37.4% from the floor and 23.3% from downtown. 

Keep in mind that over the final 15 games of the 2021-22 regular season, Randle averaged more than six assists and 27.7 points and converted 45% of his FG attempts and 43% of his long balls. Again, nobody expected him to match or exceed his career-highs this season, but seeing just how far he's fallen is astonishing. 

Randle has been, quite literally, the least efficient high-usage player in the league this season. He's the only player in the NBA attempting more than 15 shots a night while also shooting below 42% from the floor and below 31% from behind the arc.