“If Julius becomes the player he was again, we will cause problems.” It is the analysis ofAnthony Edwards after the victory snatched in Sacramento, marked by a great performance from the former Knicks interior: 33 points on 13 out of 17 shots, including 5 out of 6 from 3-point range! Julius Randle's shoulder is fine, and his aggressiveness and ability to push the defense back were decisive.
“Coach Finch challenged me the last two days: to be more aggressive” explains Randle, author of 22 points before the break. “I was keen to do it, while remaining in the rhythm of the game.”
The Wolves adapt to him
Close to Randle since their shared experience with the Pelicans, Chris Finch actually appreciated this extra aggressiveness. “He was phenomenal! He sets the tone, and kept us in the match at the start, almost single-handedly. The five had difficulty finding the right rhythm, and it was decisive. »
Another compliment, the one launched by Anthony Edwards: “We told him that it was not up to him to adapt to us, but up to us to adapt to him. And we saw it tonight.”
This Edwards-Randle duo gave a first glimpse of what he could deliver, and Randle's aggressiveness allows Edwards to enjoy more freedom. Opponents' one-on-ones will be handled differently this season, and Randle appreciates playing alongside a back who is as aggressive, but also capable of quickly releasing the ball as soon as he sees a defender coming on him.
Better management of two-way takes
“He is so dynamic and he has always made the right choice”, emphasizes Randle. “They put two on him when he had the ball, and he made the right choice. When they took him in pairs, and he found himself in isolation, he made the difference by going to the circle, and not remaining static. When you have a player like that, your rhythm comes easily, and you get shots so naturally.”
And on the last action, it was Edwards who went to the circle after easily eliminating a two-hander on a repeat pass with Mike Conley. “Give the ball to Ant” sums up Randle about the Wolves' tactics on the last shot. “We give him the ball, and we let him play. If they take two, I'm there. We have relays around him. And if they don't get two, good luck! »
