Really solid article from Katz on Randle letting them fly this year
A lot of good details, but this sticks out:
> Late in the spring of 2022, Bryant traveled to Randle’s hometown of Dallas to check in. The coach told Randle he had to “look at (himself) in the mirror” after the season he had just churned out. He mentioned the defensive problems and body-language concerns. But Bryant also set a more tangible goal for the upcoming year: > Don’t just shoot 3s better; *shoot 3s more.* > **A lot more.**
> Bryant told Randle that he should set a career-high in 3-point attempts in 2022-23. If he did it the right way, swishing would come, too. > “I kinda just took that honor,” Randle said. “He’s made the game really easy and simplified it for me.” > *Bryant worked with Randle on becoming more decisive. Randle hesitated too much in 2021-22, Bryant said. When you have a good look, go up with it, the coach told him. He guided Randle through film sessions, pointing out times when Randle received passes and held onto the ball for seconds before making a move or dribbling into an unnecessarily long 2-pointer, basketball’s least-efficient shot.* > If Randle had daylight, the Knicks wanted him to make good use of it. > “It makes the game easy,” Randle said. “Sometimes, it’s the easiest shot that you’re gonna get, rather than putting the ball on the ground and trying to take a contested (shot). … Just let it go.”
AlphakirA
I never thought I’d ever pay for news articles but Fred and Co are always worth reading. It never feels life fluff.
Joezepey
This advice from Bryant tracks with what I’ve seen in games. When Randle is making his 3s, we usually have a double digit lead. When Randle is missing his 3s or not taking them, we’re either tied or a little behind.
Chr1s78987x
Johnnie Bryant is actually a genius for this stuff
WhoTookPlasticJesus
As always, The Athletic is one of only two subscriptions I pay for (the other is Defector) and Katz is the main reason for that. If you use the link in [this tweet](https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA/status/1626695734048468992) I think you get a year for a dollar a month or something.
Some bits that stood out for me:
> Brunson’s presence takes the playmaking burden off of Randle, who can now stroll to his spots without the ball, instead of having to fight there with it. Randle and Thibodeau have both credited Brunson — who had an All-Star case, himself — as a key cog in Randle’s return to glory.
> On the first day of training camp, Fournier predicted something like this.
> The guard had received a question about New York’s most-anticipated flaw. The Knicks’ starting lineup housed four players who were at their best inside the 3-point arc. Fournier was the one conventional shooter.
> So, how could they possibly make this work? How could a group of ragtag drivers vault into the top half of the league in offense?
> “From just the back of my mind right now, I would say Julius will probably have to shoot more 3s than he’s ever done,” Fournier said. “Especially as a stretch four that can do a little bit of everything, it’s gonna open up a lot of things.”
> Randle almost always begins games with a 3-pointer. Over his last 52 matches, his first shot has come from behind the arc 39 times. That’s 75 percent. In fact, Randle is far more aggressive in first quarters, in general. He shoots more in the first than he does in any other period. He averages the fifth-most first-quarter points in the NBA.
> It’s strategic.
> “Often times if the guy gets going, now you’re going to get more double teams,” Thibodeau said. “The double teams will come quicker.”
> Defenders will also think twice about helping off Randle if he’s already drained one or two 3s. And at this point, if whoever is guarding Randle does shuffle into the lane on a Brunson drive, he must know a spot-up 3 is only seconds away.
Street-Truth97
randle with full confidence 3’s hit different than 99% of NBA players. dude is maybe the most emotional/irrational confidence player i’ve ever watched.
vtoe
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
velocissimo
You could just always tell Johnnie Bryant a real one
emilyizaak
I read this in full which is saying a lot about the quality of the piece. I’m obsessed with Randle and Brunson as a duo so obviously loved that section.
Living_Internet_2970
I hope no one steals Bryant from us. From everything I’ve read he’s that dude. Told Randle in the off-season to get his attitude corrected. Love Bryant
OperationMiddle772
Sure to break Evan Fournier Knicks 3pt record
robobetaprey
“Thibodeau commonly refers to “the value of shots,” explaining that he wants as many 3s, layups, dunks and free throws as possible. The Knicks now own one of the more analytically-friendly shot profiles.”
Yet how many times have I read on this sub that the game has passed Thibs by and he can’t coach a modern offense.
12 Comments
Really solid article from Katz on Randle letting them fly this year
A lot of good details, but this sticks out:
> Late in the spring of 2022, Bryant traveled to Randle’s hometown of Dallas to check in. The coach told Randle he had to “look at (himself) in the mirror” after the season he had just churned out. He mentioned the defensive problems and body-language concerns. But Bryant also set a more tangible goal for the upcoming year:
> Don’t just shoot 3s better; *shoot 3s more.*
> **A lot more.**
> Bryant told Randle that he should set a career-high in 3-point attempts in 2022-23. If he did it the right way, swishing would come, too.
> “I kinda just took that honor,” Randle said. “He’s made the game really easy and simplified it for me.”
> *Bryant worked with Randle on becoming more decisive. Randle hesitated too much in 2021-22, Bryant said. When you have a good look, go up with it, the coach told him. He guided Randle through film sessions, pointing out times when Randle received passes and held onto the ball for seconds before making a move or dribbling into an unnecessarily long 2-pointer, basketball’s least-efficient shot.*
> If Randle had daylight, the Knicks wanted him to make good use of it.
> “It makes the game easy,” Randle said. “Sometimes, it’s the easiest shot that you’re gonna get, rather than putting the ball on the ground and trying to take a contested (shot). … Just let it go.”
I never thought I’d ever pay for news articles but Fred and Co are always worth reading. It never feels life fluff.
This advice from Bryant tracks with what I’ve seen in games. When Randle is making his 3s, we usually have a double digit lead. When Randle is missing his 3s or not taking them, we’re either tied or a little behind.
Johnnie Bryant is actually a genius for this stuff
As always, The Athletic is one of only two subscriptions I pay for (the other is Defector) and Katz is the main reason for that. If you use the link in [this tweet](https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA/status/1626695734048468992) I think you get a year for a dollar a month or something.
Some bits that stood out for me:
> Brunson’s presence takes the playmaking burden off of Randle, who can now stroll to his spots without the ball, instead of having to fight there with it. Randle and Thibodeau have both credited Brunson — who had an All-Star case, himself — as a key cog in Randle’s return to glory.
> On the first day of training camp, Fournier predicted something like this.
> The guard had received a question about New York’s most-anticipated flaw. The Knicks’ starting lineup housed four players who were at their best inside the 3-point arc. Fournier was the one conventional shooter.
> So, how could they possibly make this work? How could a group of ragtag drivers vault into the top half of the league in offense?
> “From just the back of my mind right now, I would say Julius will probably have to shoot more 3s than he’s ever done,” Fournier said. “Especially as a stretch four that can do a little bit of everything, it’s gonna open up a lot of things.”
> Randle almost always begins games with a 3-pointer. Over his last 52 matches, his first shot has come from behind the arc 39 times. That’s 75 percent. In fact, Randle is far more aggressive in first quarters, in general. He shoots more in the first than he does in any other period. He averages the fifth-most first-quarter points in the NBA.
> It’s strategic.
> “Often times if the guy gets going, now you’re going to get more double teams,” Thibodeau said. “The double teams will come quicker.”
> Defenders will also think twice about helping off Randle if he’s already drained one or two 3s. And at this point, if whoever is guarding Randle does shuffle into the lane on a Brunson drive, he must know a spot-up 3 is only seconds away.
randle with full confidence 3’s hit different than 99% of NBA players. dude is maybe the most emotional/irrational confidence player i’ve ever watched.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
You could just always tell Johnnie Bryant a real one
I read this in full which is saying a lot about the quality of the piece. I’m obsessed with Randle and Brunson as a duo so obviously loved that section.
I hope no one steals Bryant from us. From everything I’ve read he’s that dude. Told Randle in the off-season to get his attitude corrected. Love Bryant
Sure to break Evan Fournier Knicks 3pt record
“Thibodeau commonly refers to “the value of shots,” explaining that he wants as many 3s, layups, dunks and free throws as possible. The Knicks now own one of the more analytically-friendly shot profiles.”
Yet how many times have I read on this sub that the game has passed Thibs by and he can’t coach a modern offense.