The New York Knicks are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 12-14 record. There is no doubt that this has been disappointing for the team and their fans. Many expected them to build on their playoffs appearance from last season.
Aside from the on-court problems that the Knicks have, it seems as though leadership from Julius Randle is something to worry about. An article by Marc Berman of the New York Post stated that Randle can “occasionally be a loner in the locker room” and that “he is not a born leader”.
One source believes locker-room leadership has started to become an issue. Randle is not a born leader, self-admittedly the quiet type, as is Derrick Rose.
Other leadership candidates would be hard-pressed to be the team’s motivational speaker: Kemba Walker, banished from the rotation; Evan Fournier, the struggling French newcomer not known as an orator; Taj Gibson currently out of the playing mix.
It’s up to Randle to lift this group out of the doldrums and one source said the forward can occasionally be a loner in the locker room. Randle, for certain, is moody with the media.
“I think we’re all trying to get it turned around,’’ Randle said when asked about the leadership. “We’re working at it and trying to get a better focus of what we’re trying to do.’’
It’s not necessarily fair to Julius Randle to say his leadership is a problem. After all, they got to the playoffs last season based on his stellar performances, and he’s the engine of their entire offense. However, it is fair to say that his on-court performances have to be better as well.
The New York Knicks have a lot of room to improve. Julius Randle has previously stated that he wants to win a championship with the Knicks, but it’s clear that the Knicks are nowhere near that level. They won’t get there this year, but perhaps they get there in the future.
