Julius Randle is in. Jalen Brunson is out.
The Knicks had two All-Star candidates but only Randle got the nod when the East reserves were announced Thursday, which is probably the fairest outcome given the team’s middle-of-the-conference record.
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As expected, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Boston’s Jaylen Brown joined Randle on the East reserves. The other selections – Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan – were Brunson’s real competition.
Julius Randle makes NBA All-Star team for second time in three years as member of the Knicks. (Steven Senne/AP)
The East starters, which were chosen based on votes from fans, media and players, are Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The reserves are picked by the coaches.
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This is the second All-Star selection in three seasons for Randle, who was averaging 24.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists before Thursday’s game against the Heat. It’s affirmation of the 28-year-old’s revival after he bombed last season as the Knicks plummeted out of the playoffs.
“A lot was made of last season,” Tom Thibodeau said. “Last season he was challenged in a different way because of what he had done the previous season and we had injuries to our point guards last year. So he had to do a lot. People were locked in pretty good to him. I think getting Jalen (in free agency) has freed him up. And he’s done a good job of diversifying his game. He’s taking really good shots. That’s helped us.”
Randle’s inclusion on the All-Star team earns him a $1.2 million bonus.
Brunson, who left Luka Doncic in Dallas for $104 million and a lead guard opportunity in New York, is enjoying his best season while averaging 22.8 points and 6.2 assists. But Brunson, who missed Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat with a non-COVID-related illness, wasn’t the only East player who could lament a snub.
Miami’s Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia’s James Harden, Toronto’s Pascal Siakam, and Atlanta’s Trae Young were also left off the East reserves.
The Western Conference reserves are Memphis’ Ja Morant, OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen and the Clippers’ Paul George.
RJ STILL ‘CRITICAL’ TO KNICKS AFTER BENCHING
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Two days after benching RJ Barrett for the final 12 minutes of an overtime loss to the Lakers, Thibodeau justified the decision as “putting the team first” but suggested it won’t be repeated often.
“We know he’s a critical part of our team. We need him to play well,” Thibodeau said. “But we’re always going to put the team first and we thought the group that was out there gave us the best shot. Most of the times he’s finishing the game, so just get out there and play. I don’t worry about missed shots as much as just help in any way you can.”
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Barrett declined to speak to the media after the crunch-time benching, even asking teammate Cam Reddish to reaffirm to team PR that it wouldn’t be wise to talk. The inference was Barrett would say something inflammatory if he spoke.
Instead of Barrett, Thibodeau used a lineup including Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley against the Lakers.
REDDISH DRAMA
Reddish hasn’t played in two months and a report suggested that a complaint about his role may be the issue with Thibodeau..
According to SNY, Reddish lodged the complaint to an assistant coach while he was still in the rotation. That assistant relayed the complaint to Thibodeau, who sort of denied the entire thing Thursday.
“Nah, that stuff is – Cam and I are fine, so I don’t know where that’s coming from,” Thibodeau said. “But I have an idea.”