Julius Randle hasn’t overcome those setbacks
As much as the supporting cast has struggled, perhaps the biggest issue for the Knicks is that they have an imposter playing the role of their No. 1 options. And this is not a knock on Julius Randle. He’s a really good player that’s going to get some all-star consideration. He’s just not a pure No. 1 option.
And that’s what the Knicks are trying to force him into being. He hasn’t been able to overcome the setbacks of the supporting cast to carry the Knicks over the last 11 games, even though he’s still averaging respectable numbers.
He hasn’t taken his game to the next level this season and, in fact, has taken a bit of a step back himself when it comes to his offensive efficiency numbers.
The Knicks could probably get away with a struggling supporting cast if they had a true No. 1 on their team. Right now, that’s something they simply don’t have and that’s perhaps the biggest reason why their struggles have been magnified even more over the last 11 games.