Julius Randles Transformation: From Knicks to Timberwolves, a Newfound Freedom and Success

In the midst of the NBA playoffs, a surprise force to be reckoned with has emerged: Julius Randle, the Minnesota Timberwolves' forward. His performance has been a stark contrast to Anthony Edwards' shooting star in Minneapolis and a crucial connector to the rest of the team on their run to the Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves currently lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1 entering Monday night's Game 4. Randle has been a revelation on the highest stage, averaging 27 points, 7.8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds in the last four games of the Warriors series. He scored 28 and 24 in Games 1 and 3 of the Western finals on 60%-plus shooting. His bad games have been almost nonexistent, and his forlorn looks and drooped facial expressions have come few and far between. It's not a new and improved Julius Randle, but a smoothed-out version, a freer one that isn't putting the weight of the world on his shoulders. "The amount of s*** Julius takes, it's hard to even fathom how he deals with it," Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo told Yahoo Sports. "To see him carry the load, night in and night out, everybody knows how much stuff he deals with, everybody knows how much flak he catches, and he doesn't let it faze him, he doesn't let it bother him." Randle has been changing how the NBA world views him, that he couldn't be a winning player, that he had to be ultra-ball dominant. Game by game, it's happening. "I've always used that as motivation, proving people wrong and stuff like that," Randle told Yahoo Sports. "But it became more about proving myself right. That's been the biggest adjustment and change in my mindset." Randle's Mamba Mentality has been on full display in these playoffs. He's been able to step outside of his own play and be present in ways he couldn't allow himself to be before. Cheering on teammates even if he's not playing well, doing the little things to remain connected to the team. "I was injured, but it was the first time I was injured where I felt like I was still playing," Randle said. "Because I was so engaged with the group and everybody was so welcoming." Randle's physicality has been a key factor in his success this postseason. He's been able to use his strength and physicality to wear down opponents, even if it meant bruising him up along the way. "You see it in their eyes," Randle said. "I had dudes come to me like 'Ju, please. Not this play.' You see dudes is not trying to deal with that. I spend so much damn time in the weight room, I gotta use it." Randle's chemistry with Rudy Gobert has also improved over time. Early in the season, there were concerns about two players with reputations for being moody derailing the Timberwolves' chances of getting back to the conference finals. But as Gobert and Randle have grown together, things have started to click for them on both ends of the court. Randle's resilience and determination have been key in helping him through some tough times this season. Losing six of eight in late February put the Timberwolves at 32-29, but Randle was seeing things positively as he was slated to return from a monthlong right groin injury. "It was crazy, the worst of days this season," Randle said. "But the support from the internal organization was always great."