New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau feels Julius Randle is the leader of this team as he praises his intensity

The New York Knicks played their first pre-season game and both Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle featured in the game. The duo are aiming to polish their chemistry heading into the new NBA season.

Brunson only played six minutes as he recently returned after representing Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, Randle isn’t much bothered about his teammate playing such low minutes.

Brunson proved his class by scoring seven points and a solitary assist in only six minutes of playing time after which their coach Tom Thibodeau pulled him out of the game. The Knicks coach is not ready to take any risk just ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Meanwhile, Randle logged 13 minutes and returned with 10 points and four rebounds as the Knicks won the pre-season game 114-107 against the Boston Celtics at the Madison Square Garden.

Randle justified Brunson’s early substitution as many fans expected him to play more than six minutes atleast. “He played in the World Cup. … He’s got his legs under him. But you know Thibs. We’ll be playing 35 minutes here pretty soon,” said Randle as reported by Knicks beat writer, Fred Katz.

The Knicks will play three more pre-season games and they are now on the road to face Minnesota Timberwolves on October 15. They will also have another game against the Celtics before facing the Washington Wizards as their final pre-season game.

Randle will be the key figure for the Knicks as they aim to move up the table in the Eastern Conference. They finished fifth in the Eastern Conference last season and will be keen to improve on that this time. They qualified for the Conference semi-finals before losing out to Miami Heat in six games.

Thibodeau feels that Randle is the leader of the team heading into the new season. He revealed how Randle always brings in the same intensity in matches or even in training sessions. He pushes his teammates to go even harder.

“Listen, whether you see Julius in a game or you see him in practice, you’re gonna see the same intensity. And guys like that, they don’t have to turn it on and off, and that’s what’s made him who he is.”

New York Knicks will start their season on the road against the Boston Celtics on October 26. Their first game at the Madison Square Garden is scheduled on October 27 against the Atlanta Hawks.

It will be interesting to see if they can better their last season’s record in regular season.