FATHER KNOWS BEST
2nd-time Randle loves what he sees from Kicks so far
Knicks All-Star power forward Julius Randle was a proud papa Saturday night — watching the Knicks preseason game at Washington from home with his family.
A family that has grown by one. Randle’s wife, Kendra, gave birth Friday to their second son, Jayce.
“Amazing, amazing just to be able to grow my family, to bring our son into the world, for Kyden to become a big brother,’’ Randle said after Monday’s practice. “It’s been a really, really positive past couple days. [Kyden] is obsessed with his [little] brother. He loves him. Very protective. He really just loves being a big brother. Wants to do everything with him. So he’s taking it in.’’
It’s been a real positive two weeks for the Knicks, who moved to 2-0 in the preseason with two straight blowout wins. Things are Shangri-La in Tarrytown compared to the Brooklyn Nets and their vaccination woes.
Without Randle, Tom Thibodeau’s team routed Washington, 117-99, got good outings from Obi Toppin, who was promoted to the starting lineup in Randle’s absence, and Kevin Knox who found himself in the rotation.
And the Knicks drilled 24 3-pointers — which would have set the team record if it were a regular-season game.
“We all watched it, all four of us,” Randle said, smiling. “Was amazing, man. Obviously, you always wish you can be out there but just being able to watch the guys, seeing our team developing from afar — every day, we’re taking steps forward to get better. It’s also fun when you’re watching it from home, you hear commentary. You can hear Thibs’ voice. So, I heard a lot of Thibs screaming up 20, and that was good to hear from afar, too. So, I enjoyed it.’’
At first, Randle said his older son, Kyden, was confused.
“He was like, ‘Dad, why are you here?’ He’s like, ‘What are you doing?’” Randle said. “He was upset. I had to explain it to him.’’
Randle will return for Wednesday’s preseason game at the Garden against Detroit, though doesn’t know if any of his family members can make it under the circumstances.
It’s been a tale of two training camps with the two New York teams. While Randle missed a game because of the birth of his second child, Kyrie Irving is missing games because he’s not vaccinated. The Knicks entered training camp with a 100 percent vaccination rate for players, coaches and training staff.
“Our team, everybody was great about getting vaccinated, so it’s great that we have our full team,’’ Randle said. “We’re at full strength. We can practice and play together and barring any injury, we don’t have to worry about it. So yeah, it’s good. But their situation, it’s personal. What they have going on over there is personal for them, and I just wish them the best regardless.’’
Asked playing players if he’s worried about against unvaccinated (Washington’s Bradley
Beal is unvaccinated), Randle touted the NBA’s high rate.
“Ninety-eight percent of the league is vaccinated, so not really nervous,’’ Randle said. “The biggest thing we can do — I’m not the type of person that really can live in fear. I’m just trying to be responsible for my actions first and just being aware and mindful for others around me. That’s all I can worry about and do. I’m taking the necessary precautions to do the best I feel like I can to protect my family.’’
As a spectator, Randle was impressed Saturday at how the
Knicks are carrying out Thibodeau’s new orders of creating more 3-point shots.
“It’s definitely been an area of focus for us, a point of emphasis that Thibs has definitely installed in our team,’’ Randle said. “And that’s about movement and creating good 3s. Some teams wanna take 40, 50 3s, but a lot of them might be bad 3s: contested, no ball movement. For us, it’s all about pacing and spacing and making the right play, rim reads and creating good 3s. And I feel like that’s what we’re doing.’’