Imago
Oct 30, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) in the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Oct 30, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) in the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks have had their fair share of struggles this season. After making a playoff berth last season, they haven’t got off to the best of starts. With a record of 13-17, their campaign has been rather underwhelming. So, when Charles Barkley spoke about the Knicks, he struggled to name their second-best player. He doesn’t think they have great talent at their disposal.
“You can only win so many games on hard work”
Charles Barkley breaks down the issues with the Knicks with @TermineRadio and @Jumpshot8#NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/hWHkLeUGmB
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) December 19, 2021
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The team emerged as the dark horses last season. With Julius Randle emerging as an All-Star, they got into the playoffs. Hence, this season they have new faces like Kemba Walker in hopes to make a deep run. However, that didn’t work out for them as Walker was taken out of the rotations.
Do Knicks have no talent?
The NBA legend had a disappointing response when he was asked about the Knicks. Barkley doesn’t believe the team is better than last season. Moreover, he struggled to name another better player in their team. While he admitted Julius Randle is great, he feels the plans with Walker haven’t worked out. Barkley feels that they don’t have the best talent on their roster.
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He said: “You can only win so many games on hard work. The Kemba thing clearly has not worked. So you really can’t say they got better than last year. But they just play hard, but they don’t have great talent. Randle is a heck of a player, but like, who’s the second best player on that team?”
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 30, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) argues after being called for a technical foul by referee Mark Lindsay (29) during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Barrett is one player who Barkley felt should step up. The forward is averaging 15 points on 40% shooting which are both down since last season. The Knicks have failed to find a stable player behind Randle to deliver. There have been glimpses of RJ Barrett and Evan Fournier coming up, but they haven’t been consistent. Sometimes, Derrick Rose and Alec Burks contribute as well.
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However, the main truth is that the Knicks need a player to rely on behind Julius Randle. The All-Star forward is doing his job for New York. Without much help, there isn’t much that Randle can do alone. Do you think we will see Barrett step up once he returns? Let us know in the comments below.
