After the Knicks fell to 0-2 without their All-Star starting power forward, coach Tom Thibodeau stood up for the much-criticized Julius Randle — who is in COVID-19 protocols.
The rage on social media had reached a crescendo after Randle played two poor games in Minnesota and Detroit — both victories — as his numbers have slipped from last season.
A daily drumbeat online has been that the Knicks need to play Obi Toppin more at power forward and Randle less. After two sound beatings without Randle, Thibodeau was asked after Sunday’s defeat in Toronto if this proved what a vital cog Randle is. Randle hadn’t missed a game until Oklahoma City on New Year’s Eve, playing the first 35.
“He’s a terrific player,’’ Thibodeau said when asked about the attacks on Randle. “It’s the day and age of social media, and that’s what social media is. You try not to pay attention to it, because it’s really meaningless, whether it’s praise or criticism. It doesn’t really matter. Really, what matters is what we think.
“And so, we know how important he is. But it’s like the backup quarterback. Everyone thinks the backup should start until he has to start.’’
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