The column idea about Julius Randle’s return to the court was meant to highlight the need for fans to temper their expectations and be understanding if Randle struggled due to his dislocated shoulder. Randle re-injured his shoulder during a contact session, leading to a season-ending surgery. Knicks coach, Tom Thibodeau, had previously provided misleading information about Randle’s recovery, raising questions about the team’s credibility in injury updates.
Randle admitted that his shoulder wasn’t stable and had been a challenge since the setback. Thibodeau had initially denied any setback in Randle’s recovery, but later acknowledged that losing the power forward for the season was his default position. Anunoby’s injury was also a concern, with Thibodeau claiming that he had been cleared for contact. The Knicks faced a credibility issue with their injury information, reflecting on the need for transparency in such cases.
The Knicks have faced the consequences of playing Randle at less than 100% in the playoffs last year. Fans were disappointed in his performance, leading to an embarrassing incident where a Randle poster was torn down and stomped on. Randle was inefficient during that time due to injuries, prompting blame on him for the team’s second-round exit. It was clear that Randle’s health was crucial to the team’s success, as shown in the Miami series last year.
Randle’s injury this season impacted the team’s performance, reducing their potential without a healthy All-Star player. Anunoby, who has already undergone surgery, is a 3-and-D player that can impact winning without needing the ball constantly. With Randle sidelined, the Knicks still have the potential to be dangerous with players like Jalen Brunson leading the team. Anunoby’s return will further enhance their lineup and performance on the court.
The Knicks may not be championship contenders this season, especially after Randle’s injury. However, they can still be a competitive team with the right players stepping up. The hope is that Anunoby’s return will contribute positively to the team’s performance, even if the Knicks may not be forthcoming about his status. Overall, the Knicks are facing challenges with injuries and credibility issues, but they still have the potential to make an impact in the league.
