Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks: Knicks Players to Watch
- Julius Randle, PF
- Derrick Rose, PG
- Nerlens Noel, C
The motor that keeps the Knicks going is forward Julius Randle, who made his all-star debut this season and should be a lock to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. He has been consistently great all season but somehow taken his game to another level in the recent stretch of games.
Over his last ten, Randle is averaging 28.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game. He is also shooting a red hot 45.7 percent from three in that stretch on seven attempts per game. The Knicks go as Randle goes, a trend that will continue moving forward.
He could be a matchup nightmare for the Bulls depending on who is ready to step up in defending him. Randle does a lot of ball-handling for New York and at his size and strength generates mismatches on a consistent basis.
Former Bulls MVP point guard Derrick Rose will be another player to watch closely on the Knicks. Not only is he vital to the success of the team, but he just so happens to play a position of need for the Bulls this upcoming offseason. Rose will be a free agent at the time.
Slowing Rose and containing Randle are the two points of emphasis for the Bulls defensively in this one. On the other end, they need to be aware of Nerlens Noel and where he is at all times.
Over their last ten games, Noel is blocking 2.7 shots per game in the absence of Mitchell Robinson. Noel will also be tasked with defending the Bulls best and most important offensive player right now, Nikola Vucevic.