Thibs Needs To Send A Strong Message By Benching Julius Randle

Missing shots is frustrating but forgivable. Walking away from a fallen teammate is inexcusable. As is failing to box out or hustle back on defense time and time again.

Thibs Needs To Send A Strong Message By Benching Julius Randle 

Earlier this morning, I wrote about the Knicks' loss to the Bucks. I noted how Julius Randle once again struggled. 

Over the NY's last five games, he's averaging 13.2 points and as many turnovers (4.4) as assists (4.4) while shooting 38.7% from the floor, 25% from deep and 68.4% from the charity stripe. (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 season in the NBA, back in 2015-16, when he was a member of the Lakers).

And, as I've pointed out frequently in this space, it's not just Randle's regression on the offensive end that has enraged Knicks fans. Even most diehards assumed his career-high shooting percentages would come back down to earth. It's been the stunning lack of effort and intensity Randle has consistently carried to the court this season that has been so bewildering.

One play in particular from Friday's loss to the Bucks, in which Randle turned his back on a teammate who had fallen to the floor, has been making the rounds on social media today. 

However, this afternoon I went back and watched the entire fourth quarter and, frankly, it was stunning. Randle should be ashamed of his performance. 

This is a player who inked a four-year, $117 million contract extension last summer. He's "earning" approximately $247,500 per game this season. He owes his employers a minimal amount of effort for that sizable sum. More importantly, for the Knicks to be successful both now and in the future, he owes his teammates at least a modicum of effort.

Okay, before I continue with my opinion, let's go to the videotape.

So, here's the deal. The Knicks hung tough with the Bucks for most of the evening. Heading into the fourth quarter, New York was only down five points. And on the first possession of that final frame, RJ Barrett nailed a three-pointer, cutting Milwaukee's lead to two (93-91). Randle was not on the floor to start the final frame. He checked back in with nine minutes left in regulation. 

At the 8:30 mark, Randle jogs back down the court after Obi Toppin missed a shot. After Bobby Portis sprints past him, Randle stands around in the paint and watches Grayson Allen sink a 3PT off a Giannis offensive rebound.  

On the very next possession, you'll see Randle is once again the last person back on defense. He jogs into the picture just in time to foul Khris Middleton on a 3-point attempt. And then complains to the ref.

Here is the Knicks' first offensive possession after Middleton's free throws. Randle slumps his shoulders as Fournier loses control of his dribble and doesn't dap Toppin after Obi earns a trip to the charity stripe.

The following clip is where the most egregious crime is committed. Randle harmlessly watches as Middleton works his way underneath for a contested layup. Because he has no interest in helping RJ Barrett, Rande is not in position to grab the rebound. In an effort to save the ball, Toppin falls to the ground. Randle looks at Obi on the floor, then seems to take a step toward him, only to turn his back on Toppin. Please notice how Barrett and Kemba Walker, who was yanked from the starting lineup and benched for ten straight games earlier this season, rush to help up Toppin to his feet.

From this angle, on the ESPN broadcast, you can see Randle doesn't even acknowledge Obi. Keep in mind, before Friday's loss, Randle told reporters, "you find out about the character of the guys on your team," when the squad is struggling, adding he would "be an infectious leader with my spirit and my energy and just try to be positive."

Actions speak louder than words. 

As if that wasn't bad enough, this is the very next play. Literally, right after. Randle stares off into the distance, not watching the ball or his man, as Pat Connaughton streaks to the basket and feeds Grayson for an easy bucket. 

Next possession here: take a wild guess who is the last Knick back on defense… 

A little under five minutes left in the game now. Randle is sorta wandering aimlessly. Fournier helps off Donte DiVincenzo. Randle, his feet rooted on the floor, doesn't help the helper.

The horror show is almost over, I promise. 

Next trip down, Randle doesn't feel it necessary to box out Connaughton. Are you sensing a theme yet? 

Under four minutes left now. Randle dies on a screen off an inbound play, allowing Middleton to get a good look. Middleton misses, yet Randle stands there and allows Connaughton to grab the loose ball. Yikes. 

Sadly, I could go on – this is just a five-minute span! – but I think you get the idea. A max-level player put this performance on tape in an actual NBA game. Completely unacceptable.

I thought it was awful watching it live last night, but when I started rewatching the fourth quarter, I thought, "how bad could it have been." 

Focusing on Randle made it incredibly uncomfortable. He unequivocally checked out of that game and quit on his team. 

The question now becomes, what's next?

What happens when Thibs and his staff re-watch the film of that final quarter. Will they make Randle apologize to his teammates? It would be somewhat excusable if it were just one incident or even one game, but this is a pattern we've seen far too often all season. 

This sequence took place two days before Christmas:

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer

This is the type of stuff we’ve seen far too often from Randle this season… Wants a foul call. Doesn’t hustle back on defense. Lazily jogs back up the floor. Because he late getting back, he’s forced into a mismatch. Then plays horrible individual defense as a cherry on top

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer

On the Wizards' next possession, Randle is standing flat-footed in no man's land. Gives Kuzma plenty of room to knock down another back-breaking trey.

At what point does Tom Thibodeau finally put his foot down?

It's the head coach's job to hold players accountable. Poor play and unfavorable plus/minus data were the reasons attributed to Thibs unceremoniously banishing Kemba to the end of the bench for a few weeks. 

Well, over the Knicks' past five games, NY has been outscored by 89 points during the 166 minutes Randle has been on the floor. (No other Knicks has a plus/minus below -63.) Meanwhile, the Knicks have outscored their opponents by 53 points in the 77 minutes Toppin has been on the court during this same stretch.

Thibs has preached individual responsibility since the day he arrived in NYC. He vowed he would demand players earn playing time, but that principle hasn't been applied to Randle yet this season. The head coach has tirelessly defended his former All-Star. 

During the press conference introducing Thibodeau as the new head coach of the Knicks in July of 2020, team president Leon Rose told reporters that one of the primary reasons Thibs was hired was because he pledged to hold players accountable. "Going through the process and really evaluating all aspects of everything, and realizing Tom was the perfect candidate for this job from the standpoint of, that he's going to demand accountability, he's going to have development, and he's going to create a winning culture," Rose said. 

If Rose and Thibs claim they are determined to build a winning culture, you can't have your most important player turning his back on a teammate. You can't have your highest-paid player seemingly believing boxing out is beneath him. 

ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, who is very close with Thibodeau, was on the call for the Knicks-Heat game on Wednesday and excoriated Randle during the National TV broadcast. "You've gotta look at the best player, and you've just gotta see, through action and body language, an absolute and unquenched desire to win," Van Gundy said. "You've got to have that."

Friday's matchup with Milwaukee was New York's 50th game this season. How much longer will the organization allow this to continue? Keep in mind, the Knicks are a relatively young team. RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, IQ, Deuce McBride, Cam Reddish, Quentin Grimes and Micthell Robinson are all 23 years of age or younger. 

What lesson do the kids on the team learn if Randle acts unprofessionally but continues to garner praise from his head coach and is rewarded with all the playing time he can handle. 

It's time for Thibodeau to send a strong message to Randle and the rest of the team by slashing his minutes dramatically or benching the team's high scorer for at least one game.

Missing shots or committing mental mistakes (such as giving up an easy bucket because you close out too hard) is frustrating but forgivable. Walking away from a fallen teammate is inexcusable. As is failing to box out or hustle back on defense time and time again. 

Time for Thibs to make a statement and confirm such conduct will not be tolerated.