Julius Randle is shooting 27 percent from the field through the first five games of the season.
Jalen Brunson is shooting 38 percent.
The Knicks as a team are at a league-low 40 percent.
What’s the issue?
“Spacing,” Randle said after the Knicks missed 25 of 30 three-point attempts in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. “Everything is just pretty packed in. We’re working really hard for everything. ... We’re just looking at a lot of bodies out there whenever we’re catching the ball. ... so we’ve just got to figure out a way to open it up a little bit.”
The Knicks' starters last season had some of the best offensive numbers in the league. New York finished the season ranked third in offensive efficiency, thanks in large part to the cohesion between Brunson, Randle, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and Mitchell Robinson.
New York has the same starting lineup this season. But through five games, the offense has been a big issue. They enter play Thursday ranked 27th in offensive efficiency.
Randle in particular has had a rough start, missing 23 of his first 31 three-point attempts. He went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc against Cleveland.
Afterward, Tom Thibodeau suggested that the refs missed some calls when Randle got hit. Randle cited the lack of rhythm and spacing on the floor when asked if he alters anything about his shooting routine during rough stretches.
“It’s just a rhythm thing. We’re not getting anything easy. I feel like we’re just working hard for everything right now,” he said. “So we’ve got to find a way to try to make the game a little bit easier for each other.”
Another issue for New York? The club ranks 27th in free-throw percentage and 18th in turnover rate – an area where they excelled last season.
No one in the locker room seems to be pressing at the moment. Randle is confident that his shots will start to fall. He trusts that his in-season and offseason work will eventually yield results.
His teammates do as well.
“I don’t doubt Julius at all,” Immanuel Quickley said. “If you look at what he’s done since he’s been here – two All-NBAs, two All-Stars, near 60 points in a game. He works – he’s probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around. So I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
MITCHELL CREDITS MATES
Donovan Mitchell credited Dean Wade and Georges Niang for their defense on Randle Wednesday night. He cited Randle’s free-throws as an indication of their success. Randle shot 10 free throws in the Knicks’ win on Tuesday in Cleveland. He didn’t attempt a free throw on Wednesday.
After his press conference, I asked Mitchell about the Mets’ managerial situation. He said he thought New York would have hired Craig Counsell and if it were up to him, he’d hire Carlos Beltran.