Julius Randle addresses slew of outbursts, says they’re not reflection of leadership: ‘Name a perfect leader?’

A refreshed Julius Randle acknowledged there’s a fine line between passion and frustration gone too far, but the Knicks All-Star doesn’t believe his latest outbursts should reflect negatively on his ability to lead.

“I don’t think it has to do with (that),” Randle said when asked if the slew of technical fouls make him  “Name a perfect leader? Name a perfect human being?”

Ahead of Monday’s pivotal matchup against the Rockets, Randle had been whistled for techs in three consecutive games. The latest in Orlando looked the worst. As the half was ending – and the Knicks were careening toward a third straight loss –  Randle followed referee Leon Wood with complaints until the tech whistle blew. Then teammate Immanuel Quickley tried to intervene and was angrily shouted down by Randle.

Four days later, Randle finally spoke about the incident and claimed the referee acknowledged his own mistake.

“I can’t put it in his hands, but (Wood) told me he would talk to (the league) about rescinding (the tech), so we’ll see,” Randle said. “Because he said I didn’t curse at him or say anything inappropriate to him or anything like that.

“Just trying to have a conversation. Maybe (the tech) was a little bit quick, maybe it wasn’t. But at the end of the day I can’t put it in his hands like that.”

Since the NBA still hadn’t rescinded the tech four days later, it’s unlikely to happen.

Asked about his exchange with Quickley, Randle said, “What happens within our team, happens within our team. So I’m not gonna speak on specifics, on how we handle things. But at the end of the day, we’re a team, we’re good, and we’re just focused on winning.”

The important backdrop to Randle’s outward frustration is last season’s plunge to a toxic relationship with the fans and referees. It prompted questions about Randle’s ability to handle the pressures of leading in New York City, and inevitably transitioned to trade rumors.

He started this season with a stated purpose of fostering a better rapport with officials and exhibiting body language better befitting a leader. Randle followed that up for much of this season, earning another All-Star bid and again hearing ‘MVP’ chants at MSG.

But as the Knicks started a grueling stretch of schedule in March, Randle’s frustrations boiled over. He picked up a tech in Los Angeles and had to be restrained by coach Tom Thibodeau while jawing at coaches and a team security guard. Even as he was dropping a career-high 57 points last week, Randle was T’d up for throwing the ball in frustration.

“There’s a balance with everything,” Randle said. “I’m obsessive about the game and love the game, very driven and focused, but there’s a balance, too.”

The hope is that the three days off will rejuvenate Randle’s game and mind, as well as the team’s lagging defense. Despite leading the NBA in total minutes, Randle said he remains in the best physical condition of his career.

He spent the off-days with his family, rather than working out.

“Honestly, I got away,” Randle said. “I got away and spent time with my youngest (son) and my family and got to relax and yeah, get away for sure.”

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/RxJAYhu