PHOENIX — Julius Randle’s stated goal before the season, as he outlined during training camp in Charleston, S.C., was to be a more efficient offensive player.
It looked like a silly objective when Randle started the campaign on a terrible stretch.
But now it’s easy to see the vision.
In the six games before the Knicks’ 139-122 win over the Suns on Friday night, Randle shot over 60 percent while getting into the paint and taking fewer 3-pointers (four per game in that stretch).
It’s a variation from his strategy last season, when Randle hoisted a career-high 8.3 treys per game.
“Just playing to my strengths and understanding spots on the court where I can get high-percentage shots where I can either get a high-percentage shot or they double me and I can kick out and play-make for my teammates,” Randle said before finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. “So I understand who I am as a player. While I can shoot the ball and make a ton of 3s, I understand who I am as a player, what my strengths are.”
It’s a throwback to the bully-ball Randle from his stint with the Pelicans, although the Knicks don’t want him to ditch the long-distance shots that helped him earn a second All-Star appearance last season.
“You can look back at who I was as a player before I got here. A lot of it was taking it to the basket, attacking the rim,” Randle said. “As the years have gone on, I’ve added more to my game and gotten better as a player. While I can do those other things, it’s still who I am as a player.”
Despite his recent surge, Randle’s shooting percentage before Friday (45.3 percent) was still slightly lower than last season.
That’s because he shot 27.1 percent in this campaign’s opening six games, the worst start for a player with a minimum of 90 attempts since 1959.
Kevin Durant brought a lopsided history into Friday’s matchup against Randle.
Durant, who finished with 29 points and six assists and 36 minutes, won 14 of the 15 previous matchups and averaged 29.9 points, including a 53-point explosion with the Nets in 2022.
The only time Randle had beaten Durant prior to Friday was in 2016, when he was with the Lakers and scored 20 points with 14 rebounds.
“He’s KD. He’s tough,” Randle said. “He’s put a lot of work in in this league. It’s one thing to be great, but the longevity and amount of talent has been great. It’s a whole ’nother thing.
“So, I got nothing but respect for him and I love battling against him.”
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