Twenty points and 10 rebounds. Eight made shots on 13 attempts. Four made 3s on six tries. Only one turnover — albeit in a blowout preseason loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. This is the definition of the improved efficiency Julius Randle alluded to during training camp in Charleston, S.C. in early October. And if the limited sample size is an indication of the level of play to expect from the three-time All-Star this season, another jump in production for the Knicks star could be in store. Randle, who was one of just four NBA players to average 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists last season — the other three being league MVPs — wants to build off his performance in the preseason finale. “For me it’s continuing to be more efficient, pick my spots and the shots I’m trying to get to,” he said after practice in Tarrytown on Saturday. “When I collapse the defense and I get to a certain area off my reads, whether it’s shot or pass, so just continuing to build off that.” It’s one of the things head coach Tom Thibodeau adores most about his star forward: Randle is perpetually seeking improvement, and the proof is in his stats each season. “That’s what makes him who he is,” Thibodeau said on Saturday. “He’s never satisfied. And so, if you look at his career, each year he’s gotten better. So just continue to grow.“ Randle played sparingly in the first two preseason games then sat the third in Boston as the front leg of a back-to-back. He played 29 minutes, closer to his normal share, in the finale against the Wizards, but Randle’s performance was sullied by an overall poor team effort that led to a blowout loss at home. Thibodeau sees the progress, albeit in limited exhibition play. “I think there’s a lot of subtleties to his game, and he’s worked incredibly hard on his shooting,” he said of Randle. “And I think the explosion to the rim. Like no one wants to see Julius Randle going downhill at the rim. I know having coached against him, but I think adding the three-point shot has been huge for him. Drawing fouls has been huge for him. And then getting easy baskets.” Thibodeau noted two areas Randle is seeking improvement this season. “He’s a great athlete,” he said. “So, running the floor. Moving without the ball. I think you add those things in it, that makes the game easier for him.” What has assuredly improved for Randle is his 3-point shooting. Randle finished the preseason shooting 7 of 13 — 53.8% — from downtown. A number of those made 3s were with a hand in his face, and he laughed when asked about the contested nature of some of his shot attempts. For reference, he shot 34% from 3 last season, which is about in line with his career averages. “I mean I try to get the easiest shot possible, but at this point in my career, all those shots are just repetition,” Randle said. “So just continuing to get my reps in, continuing to clean up my footwork, and continuing to try to find ways to get easier baskets, too.” His efficient night against the Wizards also came as he continued to battle through offseason arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. “Yeah I’m still [doing maintenance]. This is still a process,” he said on Saturday. “I’m not gonna lie and say I’m all the way back to 100 percent or whatever it is, but I feel good enough, confident enough and I’m continuing to get stronger day by day, week by week. “If there’s one thing this rehab process taught me, it’s to take everything one day at a time. That’s just what I continue to do and I continue to see improvements day by day.” On one possession against the Wizards, Randle pump-faked to get his defender, Deni Avdija, out of position before getting downhill and posterizing Washington’s backup big man, Mike Muscala at the rim. In the same quarter, he hit back-to-back 3s over Avdija’s outstretched arm. Avdija is considered one of the NBA’s better perimeter defenders who has size to combat Randle’s skill set. Thibodeau said continuing to identify easy shots versus tough contested looks will help Randle take another leap in his game. He’s confident both Randle and Jalen Brunson will improve because of what he sees behind the scenes. “I think the great players in this league add something every year. So, not to be satisfied and to understand the commitment that goes into that which [Brunson has] done in his whole career,” Thibodeau said. “So I don’t expect that to change. And that’s what I love about [Brunson] and Julius, they are both incredibly hard workers. They don’t miss practice. They don’t miss games, and that’s why they continue to get better. “ ©2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
