The Julius Randle Thread

[TimberKat]

there is not enough ball handling required for that lineup...I just don't see Naz/Rudy/Randle working together.

I don't see Randle/Naz/Gobert in the same line up for significant minutes. Our point guard play is most crucial and best indicator for W/L. I don't remember a single game that we won when Conley, Dilly, DDV all have a bad game or MIA.

I agree about the importance of PG play. The question is how much of a difference is point Randle compared to Point DDV? DDV would still play 25-28 minutes. The bigger issue is whether we can play big if we need to, and whether we can survive a playoff series without Mike or Dilly?

So Randle was much better the last couple games, historically speaking, his passes late and to standing guys only (not guys cutting or just moved to an open spot). I would think maybe 20 mins top but you certainly could argue 15 from Randle and 15 from point Ant and point DDV 18. I think the big line up will also have trouble defending 3pt shooters, so still will go with 20 min top.

[shrink]

Julius Randle has missed a triple double by a single assist in the last two consecutive games

[Domejandro]

Nine straight wins with Julius Randle playing.

[TheZachAttack]

I really like how Randle has been playing. The Timberwolves since 1/23 have played 28 games and are 6th in points per possession on offense and 9th in defensive rating on the defensive end (6th for the season). We are also one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the league. To me, this pretty much alone justifies the thinking in the KAT trade. Based on our peripherals, we should be a 41-24 team this season. We are getting somewhat unlucky and have also just been really bad at closing out games.

That's something we've struggled with in the past and I think if last years team plays 10 seasons and this years team plays 10 seasons this years team wins more games than last years team more often than not. I also think our team is better suited for the playoffs because our offensive has some elite parts and is more versatile with more perimeter scoring options. The Knicks have also gotten the full KAT experience and are starting to call for him moving to the 4 and frustrated by his passivity, defense, and the stray voltage.

I'm at the point where I am fine with Randle opting back in, though I think for me the last question is really can Randle/Gobert/McDaniels play together? If not, one of them has to go or one of them is going to have to have a smaller bench role (I personally hope Gobert).

The one remaining thing that I don't fully understand with Randle is that he's a physical player, likes to play bully ball and take contact, but somehow he is so oblivious to players swiping at the ball and so loose with the ball when he catches it. I swear he gets 3 turnovers a game just from this. If he could somehow clean this up I'm pretty happy with what he brings to the table. KAT's numbers might be better and KAT may be a better player over the course of a game. But I also feel like KAT's good when he picks his spots throughout the game, but really struggles when you need him on a single possession to do something and that's where the stray voltage comes out.

I like Randle's versatility and the way he can self create for himself and others even if the efficiency is only "decent".

[Loaf_of_bread]

This guy has to be the most polarizing, inconsistent player ever to wear a timberwolves jersey.

Watching his effort level closely, imo, you can spot out halfway through the first quarter if he decided to show up or not on the given night.

If you don’t feel like showing up, ok, sit on the bench the rest of the night. And, we will try the next game.

Finch has been way too lax with this guys overall effort level and demeanor he carries on the court.

Guy shows up, he is all nba, doesn't show up, and is unplayable.

[TimberKat]

This guy has to be the most polarizing, inconsistent player ever to wear a timberwolves jersey.

Watching his effort level closely, imo, you can spot out halfway through the first quarter if he decided to show up or not on the given night.

If you don’t feel like showing up, ok, sit on the bench the rest of the night. And, we will try the next game.

Finch has been way too lax with this guys overall effort level and demeanor he carries on the court.

Guy shows up, he is all nba, doesn't show up, and is unplayable.

Is it really efforts or just style? There is no question he has the I don't care style to his game. He is also definitely not playing at the level has was right before and after his injury.

[Loaf_of_bread]

This guy has to be the most polarizing, inconsistent player ever to wear a timberwolves jersey.

Watching his effort level closely, imo, you can spot out halfway through the first quarter if he decided to show up or not on the given night.

If you don’t feel like showing up, ok, sit on the bench the rest of the night. And, we will try the next game.

Finch has been way too lax with this guys overall effort level and demeanor he carries on the court.

Guy shows up, he is all nba, doesn't show up, and is unplayable.

Is it really efforts or just style? There is no question he has the I don't care style to his game. He is also definitely not playing at the level has was right before and after his injury.

Yes, i understand where you are coming from. I almost look at it as some games he plays with a golf ball stuffed up his ass and prances around as if he isn't sure if it hurts or he enjoys it.

[Klomp]

44-25 with Julius, 5-8 without him

[TimberKat]

44-25 with Julius, 5-8 without him

That is not accurate, we were also without Gobert/Ant in those 5-8. Also need to take opponent strength into consideration.

[Klomp]

44-25 with Julius, 5-8 without him

That is not accurate, we were also without Gobert/Ant in those 5-8. Also need to take opponent strength into consideration.

It is accurate. It's just not a stat you want to hear. I never said other players weren't missing or that the strength of schedule was the same, because that does not make those numbers not true.

[winforlose]

44-25 with Julius, 5-8 without him

lol. Funny how you leave out that most of those 13 had more than just Julius out. DDV got hurt before him. Rudy was out some of that time as well (including 5 of those losses.) Ant missed one or two, and Naz left injured during the Washington game which was one of the losses. Also looking at the 25 losses how many of those were specifically on Randle. I know the Toronto one was. The infamous I won’t pass to a wide open Rudy right at the basket. You love to post stats that while statistically accurate are very misleading.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Loaf_of_bread]

I do think Julius and his wife's statements of liking minnesota, and wanting to be here long term are genuine.

It's just a massive risk. Julius was very inconsistent in NYC. He may have settled into a role as being a 2nd/3rd option, but a long-term extension is quite scary.

Him and Naz are playing better together, but I wouldn't keep Julius if that lost naz. Will be interesting to see what connelly decides, and what ends up going down with Julius in the offseason.

[Klomp]

Him and Naz are playing better together, but I wouldn't keep Julius if that lost naz. Will be interesting to see what connelly decides, and what ends up going down with Julius in the offseason.

Personally, "Julius and no Naz" is third on my ranking of likeliest outcomes.

1. Both Julius and Naz
2. Naz and not Julius
3. Julius and not Naz
4. Neither Julius or Naz

[Loaf_of_bread]

Him and Naz are playing better together, but I wouldn't keep Julius if that lost naz. Will be interesting to see what connelly decides, and what ends up going down with Julius in the offseason.

Personally, "Julius and no Naz" is third on my ranking of likeliest outcomes.

1. Both Julius and Naz
2. Naz and not Julius
3. Julius and not Naz
4. Neither Julius or Naz

Is option 1 even possible staying under the apron?

Also suspect naz would leave if it meant long term plans were 6th man.

[Klomp]

Him and Naz are playing better together, but I wouldn't keep Julius if that lost naz. Will be interesting to see what connelly decides, and what ends up going down with Julius in the offseason.

Personally, "Julius and no Naz" is third on my ranking of likeliest outcomes.

1. Both Julius and Naz
2. Naz and not Julius
3. Julius and not Naz
4. Neither Julius or Naz

Is option 1 even possible staying under the apron?

Also suspect naz would leave if it meant long term plans were 6th man.

There's nothing that says we have to stay under the apron. I know it's a common assumption, but not a foregone conclusion.

And I think Naz could value continuity with Ant and Jaden, and knowing he won't get this kind of treatment from the fans anywhere else. Maybe a 5% chance of that.He is a folk hero. A cult icon. If he were getting 15-20 minutes with no path to more, sure I think that leaving would be a strong possibility. But he's getting 28 mpg and the two guys ahead of him are 32 and 30 years old, respectively.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Personally, "Julius and no Naz" is third on my ranking of likeliest outcomes.

1. Both Julius and Naz
2. Naz and not Julius
3. Julius and not Naz
4. Neither Julius or Naz

Is option 1 even possible staying under the apron?

Also suspect naz would leave if it meant long term plans were 6th man.

There's nothing that says we have to stay under the apron. I know it's a common assumption, but not a foregone conclusion.

And I think Naz could value continuity with Ant and Jaden, and knowing he won't get this kind of treatment from the fans anywhere else. Maybe a 5% chance of that.He is a folk hero. A cult icon. If he were getting 15-20 minutes with no path to more, sure I think that leaving would be a strong possibility. But he's getting 28 mpg and the two guys ahead of him are 32 and 30 years old, respectively.

I get it and agree.. But, you just don't know what exactly is going on in Naz's head..

His agent could present to him a contract of 150m vs. 175m, and he may not care about minnesota. To an average person, yes, it doesn't make an sense.. but, sometimes there is a strange aspect of pride/self-worth involved with these guys.. which i think is fair and agree with it.

I think we pay Naz no matter what.. completely disagree with thinking he should take a hometown discount.

[shrink]

Is option 1 even possible staying under the apron?

Also suspect naz would leave if it meant long term plans were 6th man.

There's nothing that says we have to stay under the apron. I know it's a common assumption, but not a foregone conclusion.

And I think Naz could value continuity with Ant and Jaden, and knowing he won't get this kind of treatment from the fans anywhere else. Maybe a 5% chance of that.He is a folk hero. A cult icon. If he were getting 15-20 minutes with no path to more, sure I think that leaving would be a strong possibility. But he's getting 28 mpg and the two guys ahead of him are 32 and 30 years old, respectively.

Randle obviously needs a big playoffs to help his next contract, and remove the notion that he regresses in the playoffs (he was hurt in previous ones). But the other factor here is that the deeper MIN goes in the playoffs, the more they look like a true contender, the more likely it is for most ownerships to roll it back, and try again with another year of growth and continuity.

We don’t know how much our new ownership will pay, but the deeper we go, the more likely keeping Naz and Randle should become.

[Klomp]

Is option 1 even possible staying under the apron?

Also suspect naz would leave if it meant long term plans were 6th man.

There's nothing that says we have to stay under the apron. I know it's a common assumption, but not a foregone conclusion.

And I think Naz could value continuity with Ant and Jaden, and knowing he won't get this kind of treatment from the fans anywhere else. Maybe a 5% chance of that.He is a folk hero. A cult icon. If he were getting 15-20 minutes with no path to more, sure I think that leaving would be a strong possibility. But he's getting 28 mpg and the two guys ahead of him are 32 and 30 years old, respectively.

Randle obviously needs a big playoffs to help his next contract, and remove the notion that he regresses in the playoffs (he was hurt in previous ones). But the other factor here is that the deeper MIN goes in the playoffs, the more they look like a true contender, the more likely it is for most ownerships to roll it back, and try again with another year of growth and continuity.

We don’t know how much our new ownership will pay, but the deeper we go, the more likely keeping Naz and Randle should become.

Would also add to that the fact that the deeper the team goes, the more money the owners make during the playoff run.