Julius is playing with joy, energy and purpose. JALEN, our shiny new BELL COW, making things, if not easy, EASIER for our bell cow pro temps.
Still, what would a Knick game be without a Randle Brain Fart or two.
Responding to an Obvious AND Uncalled Foul by laying the lumber on his transgressor on the next possession downcourt was petulant and indulgent.
K
And as Clyde pointed out at crunch time, trying to save that ball going out of bounds instead of simply boxing out his man, was playing hard but not smart.
K
Still, he has been playing with more pace and force. Missed his treys last night, but only took two. He has been bully boying his way to the paint, and creating space for that little lean away ten foot turnaround.
Both JR & RJ were more deferential to Jalen ruddering the ship last night, so their assists totals were not as dramatic as in past games, but Julius had 6 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and only ONE TURNOVER. Progress. RJ had 4 turnovers, missed all five of his treys, clanging on midrangers and shots off the bounce, but driving hard, and hit ALL FOUR FREE THROWS, including those two at crunch time. And had 8 boards.
Our defense has a long ways to go, least ways, we are very much in October Mode.
But good ball movement, not hoisting up so many damn threes [well, 11-for-30 last night counts as moderation based on last year], and hitting our foul shots [19-22].
Julius looks HAPPY, as thanks to Jalen, he is no longer tasked with running the offense, but being a part of the offense.
JR & RJ have significant work to do, but they are competing and finding ways to influence winning, as Thibs preaches, even then their shots are not falling.
JALEN IS ALLOWING EVERYONE TO EXHALE
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