Julius Randle had his worst shooting night of the season on Thursday, finishing the night just 3-for-11 from the floor while missing his only two 3-point attempts.
But Randle was still a focal point in a huge win for New York, putting a further emphasis on the evolution of Randle's game into a complete player benefitting from the enhanced weapons around him.
Sure, Randle has just 29 points in his last two games after averaging 28.7 points per game through the first three games this year, but even with a season-low 13 points on Thursday, he was able to dish out nine assists, tying his season high, and grabbed a season-high 12 defensive boards to help the Knicks knock off previously unbeaten Chicago on the road.
For Randle, even after the best season of his career, the point totals don't matter. His focus is on the outcome for New York.
"That's what it's about," Randle said. "I don't have to force anything. I know my guys will be in their spots, and I just make plays. That's what it's all about. If shots aren't falling, I don't have to keep forcing it or keep going to it. Last game I scored 30 and tonight that's not the case. I'm just gonna drive, create, and make the right plays, and when it's time for me to be aggressive, I'll be aggressive."
Randle was once again hounded with double teams on Thursday, which neutralized him in last year's playoff loss to the Hawks. But this time around, with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier both lighting it up from downtown to start the season, as well as Mitchell Robinson healthy and holding a field goal percentage of nearly 83 percent, Randle has options to keep the offense moving, even when his shots aren't falling.
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The added help around him has helped alleviate the pressure of carrying the offense on his own.
"I don't feel like I have to," Randle said. "We have guys who can make plays, who can knock own shots, and we practice it all the time, guys being in their spots and in the right area. I know where guys are gonna be if they send double teams.
"I'm not hunting assists, I'm just trying to make the right play and finish the game off."
Randle was one assist shy of a triple-double on Thursday night, and even with his shooting struggles, which translated to the free throw line when he missed two foul shots in the final seconds of play, the Knicks were able to find a way to finish the job, which is all that matters to their typical scoring leader.
"A win is a win," Randle said. "That's all that matters at the end of the day. Coach always says find a way to win. I'll knock them down next time, but just happy to get a win."
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