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New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Monday marked the beginning of training camp and Media Days across the NBA. For the Knicks’ big three of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett, it signified a brand-new chapter, a chance to turn the page and begin anew in their quest for an NBA championship.
“I’ve seen the progression of teams each year, and I’m just excited to be back,” Barrett said. “With the experience we now have, the playoff run we had, just looking to build more on this season and then show and prove who we are.”
This offseason was an eventful one for Barrett, as the 23-year-old represented Canada in the FIBA World Cup. He averaged 16.8 points per game, shooting 52.6% from the field and 37.3% beyond the arc — both improvements from his 2022-23 NBA season average. The small forward led Canada to the Bronze Medal game, where he dropped 23 points on Team USA to take third place from his teammate, Brunson.
Brunson, representing the USA, did not share the same success as his teammate in the World Cup, averaging only 20 minutes a game, chipping in 11 points with a 50.8% mark from the field and 38.5% from downtown.
After Canada took the bronze medal from the United States, Barrett has enjoyed the spoils of victory, “I had a great time and a great experience. I got bragging rights in the locker room over here so I’m good.”
As for Randle, this offseason looked very different. Coming off ankle surgery this offseason, the power forward is still building up for the new year.
“This was definitely a different offseason for sure for me, from a physical standpoint,” Randle said. “It will be a different…
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