New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale has a funny analogy when discussing Julius Randle’s big performance in Monday’s win.
On Monday, the New York Knicks picked up their second win in their last three games. They’re now 4-10 after ousting the 11th-place Cleveland Cavaliers 123-105 at Madison Square Garden.
Julius Randle, who’s struggled much of this season, had the killer instinct for New York. In 32 minutes on the floor, the veteran forward dropped a game-high 30 points, snatched seven boards, and dished out four assists.
He additionally racked up two steals and one block. Randle did this all on 71% shooting from the field (12-for-17) and 60% from behind the arc (3-for-5).
After the game, head coach David Fizdale had a clever analogy for Randle’s dominant outing.
"He kept burning his hand on the stove, and not learning his lesson. You burn it enough, and you're like, 'I gotta make this change'…it's gonna help his evolution"
— David Fizdale on Julius Randle pic.twitter.com/KWtZFGzpXo
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 19, 2019
“When he sees what’s happening and sees three people unloading up to him, he kept burning his hand on the stove and not learning his lesson. Now I think, if you burn it enough, you’re like ‘okay, I gotta make this change,’ the second-year Knicks head coach said. “So, he’s letting it come to him while staying aggressive and just making easier basketball plays.
“There was one play tonight, he could’ve went against a guy at the elbow, he had a size advantage and RJ [Barrett] was open in the slot. Without hesitation, he just shot it to him and RJ got the three. Just little stuff like that, as he continues to do that, it’s gonna help his evolution.”
Through 14 games, Randle is averaging 16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 44.7% shooting from the field and 24% from downtown. He and the Knicks have a tough string of games coming up, as their next 11 matchups will be against playoff teams from last year.
This difficult part of their schedule will begin Wednesday night when the Knicks take on the 76ers in Philadelphia at 7:00 p.m. ET.
