The 2008 NBA champion, Kendrick Perkins, who has now turned into a sports analyst, made bold claims about Tom Thibodeau’s New York Knicks ahead of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. The 39-year-old, known for his radical viewpoint, believed that the Knicks could have the best record, playing “Julius Randle at the five position.”
Kendrick Perkins and Julius Randle (Images Credit: Getty Images)
betting breakdown of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream visiting the New York Liberty (-12.5) in Game 2
Ahead of the season, the Knicks faced an upset with Micthell Robinson reportedly missing the start of the season following his ankle surgery. Robinson first had ankle surgery in December last year and again injured his foot during the first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With Robinson expected to return in December or January, the Knicks face a void in the center position. Recently, on ESPN’s NBA Today, Perkins claimed that the Knicks could play Julius Randle at the five until Robinson returns. He also believed that Jalen Brunson’s Knickerbockers would not just lead the Eastern Conference but the entire NBA in the regular season.
Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and Mitchell Robinson (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Perkins said, “My bold take is that the New York Knicks are going to have the best record. Not just in the Eastern Conference. In the entire NBA in the regular season. They’re going to have the best record in the league. And Tom Thibodeau should have a sigh of relief right now when it comes down now to being able to experiment with Julius Randle at the five position until Mitchell Robinson gets back.”
Kendrick Perkins Names Four Knicks Stars Confirmed In Starting Five
The former Boston Celtics center named four stars from the Knicks’ probable starting five for the next season. Perkins began with Randle and OG Anunoby, followed by Jalen Brunson and the newly signed Mikal Bridges. However, he didn’t name the fifth player; Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo are among the frontrunners.
He added, “I love the idea of Julius Randle playing the five and OG Anunoby being a stretch four. Then you have Jalen Brunson and probably Mikal Bridges… If Julius embraces the role like I think he is… I love this for the Knicks—my Knicks.”
While the prospect of Randle playing as a center sounds fascinating, the 29-year-old power forward will face a tough challenge in the East, let alone the league. In the East, Randle and the Knicks face seasoned NBA centers like Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also plays power forward.
