Steve Kerr was gracious in defeat last night, as his Golden State Warriors crashed out of the postseason at the hands of the high-flying Minnesota Timberwolves. One of the key reasons the Timberwolves are heading to the Conference Finals is a player who deserves to be held among the elite power forwards in the NBA.
It’s time to give Julius Randle his flowers; he was utterly dominant and unstoppable, earning praise from the Warriors’ coach. Randle is also developing a special partnership with Anthony Edwards. He should start getting more attention around the league as a true offensive force.
Steve Kerr Admits Warriors ‘Couldn’t Stop’ Star Julius Randle
Steve Kerr: "Julius Randle was incredible. What a series. I think he has taken a leap. We couldn't stop him" pic.twitter.com/CBWHQ6ESUT
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
“Randle was incredible, what a series!” exclaimed Kerr. Randle followed a 24-point-triple-double in game three with 31 points on 11-21 shooting in game four, then finished the series off with 29 points on a crazy efficient 13-18 shooting. Randle seems to have found a home in Minnesota, paired up alongside Anthony Edwards.
Randle Gets The Praise He Deserves
Kerr could well be right here; it does appear he’s taken the next step in his career. Randle needed to work on his postseason play because his past regular seasons can only be described as dominant.
At times, his achievements as a New York Knick were overlooked because he struggled in the postseason, also because Jalen Brunson surpassed him as the face of the entire city alongside Aaron Judge, thanks to his heroics. However, Randle’s five seasons in NY turned the previously moribund franchise around with multiple All-NBA years. He put the franchise on his back until they acquired Brunson.
For instance, in 2020-21, his 24 points, 10.2 rebounds, and six assists earned him the NBA’s Most Improved Player and All-NBA second-team honors, garnering MVP considerations.
In 2022-23, he had a better year statistically and also got awarded All-NBA status. Last season, he was his most efficient, playing beside Brunson and OG Anunoby. He averaged 47% shooting – his highest as a Knick. It’s fair to wonder what he would have achieved in last year’s playoffs had he not dislocated his shoulder just weeks before the end of the season.
Yet, his poor postseasons were an issue that plagued him in New York, where he shot just 29.8% from the field in 2021 and 37% in 2023. He’s definitely fixed that with this year’s tremendous postseason performances as a Timberwolf, averaging 50.9% from the field and 23.9 points per game.
Randle Thriving Beside Edwards
Since being acquired by the Timberwolves via trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, he’s been fabulous this postseason. Kerr quickly offered praise: “I remember playing here earlier in the season. It looked a tough fit. They didn’t have the spacing. They missed Towns. Fast-forward to now. He was 13-18 tonight, and we couldn’t stop him.”
Spacing takes time, and Randle needed time to adjust to a new style of playing and to get used to working beside the athletic scoring beast that is Edwards. It took time in practice, as much as half a season, but they’ve really clicked and have legitimately become title contenders.
The chemistry between these two is through the roof right now as they combined for 61 points in game four—the first Timberwolves duo to average 25 points or more in a series. The sky is the limit for the duo, who clearly love playing beside each other. Randle described Edwards as the “brightest star in the room.”
The Timberwolves await the winner of the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals.
