13-0.
That’s the Minnesota Timberwolves’ record in the last 13 games Julius Randle has played. That includes their current eight-game win streak since his return from injury earlier this month. That’s the longest current winning streak in the NBA.
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Randle has been key during this winning stretch. He’s finally comfortable with his new teammates and in this new role. This newfound comfort has brought him more joy, resulting in greater effort and energy on both ends of the court.
A Winning Approach for Julius Randle
Julius Randle’s winning attitude is evidenced by his comments to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski after a win over the San Antonio Spurs on March 9.
“It’s all about winning. Whatever this team needs. If this is the version that this team needs, then I want to do that every single night to help us get as many wins as possible, make the biggest run we can make. I’m not really worried about scoring the ball. I know I can score the ball. I’ve had multiple years of scoring the ball at a high level. That’s not really what I’m worried about. As far as the energy on our team and how we’re playing and the cohesiveness and togetherness, we’re showing out there that this is the best it’s felt all year. I just want to continue to build on that,” Randle said. “However I can help, I want to do that.”, he added.
To begin the year, Randle seemed sluggish. This sluggishness was most evident on defense. He was letting guys by him, not communicating well, and not boxing out consistently.
During this winning streak, that has changed.
He’s hustling all over the court, making plays, and has become a more staunch defender, helping the Wolves return to that defensive identity that propelled them to the Western Conference Finals last season.
On the offensive end, Randle has found his niche alongside Anthony Edwards as a secondary scorer and as one of the teams’ primary playmakers. He’s embraced the idea of always making the right play, whether that is spotting up for a three, driving and kicking, or using his strength to get into the paint.
Randles’s improvement has been contagious. Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley, in particular, have benefitted from Randle’s newfound success with the Timberwolves. Both players have been shooting the lights out from beyond the arc during this winning streak. Randle has assisted many of those baskets.
Playoffs Approaching
Whether this will continue into the playoffs remains to be seen.
Randle is a bit notorious for his struggles in the postseason. However, those playoff struggles were largely because his teams relied heavily upon his scoring. That’s not the case in Minnesota. While Randle’s scoring remains important, the Timberwolves don’t NEED him to be the second scorer on the team every night. Guys like Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and even DiVincenzo, on occasion, have shown that they can provide enough scoring to take some of that burden off Randle’s plate.
If Julius Randle can continue to play in the flow, with the joy and intensity he’s displayed over his last thirteen games, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be a problem in the Western Conference come playoff time.
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