3 dangerous Knicks that could put Cleveland Cavaliers on upset alert

Second in command: Julius Randle

Secondly, Julius Randle is a player that’s been dynamite for the Knicks this season.

After a disappointing 2021-22, Randle has been playing at a very high level this year, and was a big reason why the Knicks had a resurgent campaign, and got back to the playoffs. That was similar to the story with him and New York overall, in 2020-21, and to Randle’s credit, he was named an All-Star again this year, as he was in the 2020-21 season.

Randle had a career-high 25.1 points per game, to go with 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest. He connected on 34.3 percent of his threes, but on a career-high 8.3 attempts per game from deep.

If Randle is able to go in this series, at least a chunk of it, he’s an offensive force, if he can be mostly healthy. Randle first sustained his ankle sprain on March 29, and as of last Sunday, he was no longer required to wear a walking boot, and has been progressing, and has been getting shooting work in, per Tom Thibodeau, and via Peter Botte of The New York Post.

Randle’s status is uncertain for the series at this juncture, but if he can eventually go and weren’t limited, he’ll be a formidable offensive weapon for New York. With Randle’s ability to self create on drives, and with his strength and 250-pound frame, he could cause problems as well for the Cavaliers, even with Mobley and Allen as frontcourt defenders.

Randle is a more than capable playmaker as well, and if his jumper is on, he can be a really tough 4 man to guard without fouling. He had 6.9 free throw attempts per contest this season, which was a career-high amount, too.

Obviously, Randle’s status will be the key.