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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-2022 season: 30-21

By Corey Rausch

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives around Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives around Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players: 22. Julius Randle

Previous Rank: NA

The Most Improved Player in the league last year, Julius Randle went from a journeyman to the face of one of the most well-known sports franchises in the world. He erupted statistically under first-year head coach Tom Thibodeau and now enters the season with expectations of a different sort. Last season was the feel-good story of seeing the New York Knicks grab homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a young group that not much was expected of. Now, Randle is looked at to help them take the next step.

From a number’s perspective, Randle’s growth in his seventh season is rather extraordinary. As the league leader in minutes per game (37.6), Randle posted a line of 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He knocked down 41.1 percent of his 5.5 3-point attempts per game. For perspective, his previous high in attempts was 3.6 per game and the average was nearly seven full percentage points better than his previous high. With greater opportunity, his efficiency blossomed, and Randle was rewarded with the aforementioned award, his first All-Star and All-NBA nods and a lucrative contract extension.

His time in the postseason was rather forgettable (35.6 effective field goal percentage while averaged 18.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists) so sustainability will be the priority in year two under Thibodeau. After a year like last year, now is not the time to doubt Randle’s work ethic and desire to get better.