New York Knicks: Predicting the team’s leader in every statistical category

Julius Randle rebounds like crazy for the New York Knicks in a return to form.

Now that Brunson is in town to facilitate the basketball, Julius Randle is in the perfect position to focus on the defense and rebounding that propelled New York two seasons ago. The 27-year-old forward is a shoo-in to lead the team in boards, as he’s done for all three of his seasons in NYC. Energetic, athletic and physical on the interior, Randle has genuinely become one of the game’s most dominant rebounders.

Although newly re-signed center Mitchell Robinson will give him a run for his money on the offensive glass, Randle will clean up on the defensive end. Doing so gives him a chance to push the pace in transition and even handle the ball himself for stints. Those aren’t opportunities he’ll look to sacrifice since Randle loves to operate with the ball in his hands.

Consider the context of the previous two players discussed: Barrett is going to be more of a scorer and Brunson is going to be more of a lead ball-handler. Unlike in the last few seasons, Randle doesn’t need to do everything for this team anymore. The multifaceted forward is at his best when asserting himself within the flow of the game instead of forcing shots. In turn, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Randle average a double-double for the third time in his career.

Randle doesn’t need to make an All-NBA team again to play like the best version of himself, and if he can return to that level, the New York Knicks are heading back to the postseason.