While Randle deserves so much credit, the coaching staff also deserve some for his overall game. Coach Tom Thibodeau put Randle in a position to succeed, trusting him to lead the team not only on the pitch but also off the pitch.
Assistant manager Kenny Payne has also been a key reason for Randle’s success this season. Payne has been a familiar face since he was an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky and was known for developing great men. Payne is part of Randle’s pre-match ritual and helps him improve, which ultimately makes the whole team better.
When the Knicks enlisted Obi Toppin, many wondered how the two would work and fit together, and create some kind of tension. Right now, Toppin himself would say he’s grateful to have Randle as a mentor to him as a beginner. Toppin not only learns to improve every day from Randle, but he also learns to be a pro off the pitch.
Randle against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday had the best game of his career, scoring 44 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, while also taking down seven three-pointers, and helped the Knicks maintain sixth place in the eastern conference while a team that is also competing for the playoffs is fighting.
The last time a Knicks player scored more than 40 points in a game was Trey Burke in the 2017-2018 season.
That game against the Hawks basically showed what Randle has been doing successfully all season, but in one game. He scored but he picked his points. He rebounded well and made key passes, such as assisting RJ Barrett at the end of the fourth quarter to close the game.
Randle obviously isn’t a perfect player and he’s not the first option on a league team, but that still doesn’t negate how impactful he has been all season. He proved the doubters wrong and he has a chance to be an All-Star this season.