New York Knicks forward Julius Randle will participate in the 3-point contest on Saturday in Salt Lake City, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
New York Knicks All-Star Julius Randle is expected to replace Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons in the NBA 3-point contest on All-Star weekend, sources told @ TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 16, 2023
He will reportedly replace Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers, who sprained her ankle Tuesday against the Washington Wizards.
Randle is an All-Star and is having a career season. He hasn’t missed a game and has scored even more efficiently than he did in 2020-21 when he made the All-NBA second team. However, he’s a surprising choice for this particular contest, because he’s not shooting particularly well from 3-point range.
Randle has attempted a ton of 3-pointers this season — 8.0 per game, easily a career high — but he’s only made 33.8 percent of them. He has shot 33.6 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, 32.9 percent on 3-pointers from above and 35.3 percent on open 3-pointers.
As a point of comparison, Simons has attempted 9.2 3-pointers per game and made 38.1 percent of them, including 39.9 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s, 35.1 percent of his 3-pointers from over the top and 46.3 percent of his 3-pointers. open triples.
The last Knick to enter the three-point contest was Steve Novak in 2013, who tied for fourth. Other Knicks who have participated in past events include Danilo Gallinari, Quentin Richardson, Allan Houston, Charlie Ward, Hubert Davis and Trent Tucker.
Randle was already scheduled to be in Salt Lake City for this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game, the second of his tenure with the Knicks, but now he has another event to add to his schedule. Randle won’t be the only Knick joining in on the festivities. Big man Jericho Sims will be taking part in the Slam Dunk contest, and Quentin Grimes will be a part of the Rising Stars challenge.
However, Randle may have the lowest three-pot percentage among all contestants. He shouldn’t be the betting favorite to win according to New York sportsbooks.
