The Knicks came out with a big win at home, featuring huge performances from their two most important players — RJ Barrett and Julius Randle — players that are about to be more important than ever.

Once upon a time, through sheer force of will and perseverance, two men named Julius and Rowan put a floundering franchise back on the map. So much so, that artists were commissioned to create a portrait that would encapsulate the legendary toughness and heart they displayed throughout that magical year.

While it indeed feels like eons ago, it’s easy to forget that Julius Randle and RJ Barrett led a supporting cast to home-court advantage in the playoffs just seven months ago. Through almost half of a season now of uninspiring performances from at least one, if not both players, game in and game out, they finally reminded Knicks fans what they are capable of… together. 

Ultimately, through all the admittedly excruciatingly loud noise (Fournier still sucking, Kemba hurt again, Rose hurt again, Obi playing time, Mitch inconsistency, but is IQ a point guard??, Nerlens’ hands, #playthekids, etc.), there are two storylines this season that matter above all others: 

1. Can Julius Randle follow up on a career year, justify his extension, and be a franchise building block?

2. Can RJ Barrett continue to improve after a breakout year, and remain a franchise building block?

The fact that the answer to both of those questions so far have been resounding “nos” is far more important than any of the deflating losses New York has racked up this season. Which is why the reminder Randle and Barrett provided against the Pacers last night is far more important than any of the wins New York has salvaged from this disappointing season.

So how did they do it? Coach Thibs provided the answer right away in his postgame press conference:

“For both guys, the most important thing is attacking the rim.”

For RJ, the night started with a cross-screen to get him the rock in the post, a set I’m not sure the Knicks have ever employed before.  

From there, the first half buckets just kept pouring in with increasing variety — from off-the-dribble threes, to floaters, to Gogurt transition layups, and culminating with this filthy pivot move to shed the league’s best shot blocker:

On the night, RJ converted nine of 13 shots at the rim.

It was exactly what Barrett needed following his disappointing effort in his hometown against the Raptors, a game during which he was chewed out by his head coach. RJ even admitted in his walk-off interview with Rebecca Haarlow after his 32-point outburst that he came into the Toronto game with the wrong approach. Perhaps this effort turns his season around. 

For Julius, the night started predictably slowly with his return from the ole’ Protocols, and he finally got himself going late in the second quarter with this strong drive to the rack, which would set up a big-time second half:

On the night, he converted five of six shots at the rim.

Perhaps the result of some head-clearing during what may turn out to be a well-timed (if unfortunate) short hiatus from the team, Julius seemed more decisive, more free-flowing, more dedicated, than we’ve seen in quite a while. And his performance may reaffirm what has to be his approach for the latter half of this season — playing inside-out. Because once he showed Indiana he was willing to run them over inside, the outside game to which we became so accustomed a season ago came flooding back.  

Nobody else on the team played particularly well. They didn’t have to. And if the Knicks are going to make any kind of inspired run this season, Julius and Rowan must be heroes again.

Notes

• Predictably, Obi Toppin’s recent 45-minute game had no impact on his minutes total upon Julius’ return. In fact, with Julius having a “vintage” game, as Clyde of course called it, Obi was graced with just nine minutes of playing time, even less than usual. As long as Thibs won’t (or can’t) trust Obi at the 5, this problem is not going away.

• Evan Fournier just can’t figure it out. He simply doesn’t fit. With RJ and Randle going, and Alec Burks guarded by a toddler, there wasn’t really room for him in the offense. Every time they ran a play for him it felt forced. To his credit, I thought he made a couple of consecutive defensive plays that woke New York up from an early-game slumber. But by the second half, the defense regressed to the mean, he was glaringly out-hustled to a loose ball on the sideline, and was then banished to the bench for the rest of the contest. A permanent move to the bench feels inevitable, but we shall see.

• Mitchell Robinson came into this game off-balance and confused for much of the first half, perhaps a result of just returning from Protocols. His defense on Sabonis in the fourth quarter, and specifically how he pushed the Indiana stalwart off of his spots, was extremely encouraging.

• Thibs starting Alec Burks at point guard, and therefore forcing him to guard Muggsy Bogues the Second, was an extremely tough ask. You could actually see Burks trying, and mostly failing, to get low enough to contain Keifer Sykes. The resistance to start Quickley in these types of matchups remains pretty puzzling, especially since teams have long figured out that pressuring Burks full-court stalls and slows New York’s offense considerably.

• Quentin Grimes keeps turning in strong performances. Defensively, he remains solid and willing to get his hands dirty, save for some predictable rookie mistakes, and that quick trigger from deep is a constant threat for which the defense must account. I thought he passed up a couple of open midrange jumpers and kicked out instead, but it’s all part of the learning process. The tea leaves are telling me that he will retain his spot in the rotation even as all the troops return.

• Clyde Frazier was back in the Garden, Haarlow was back in the Garden, Wally was back in the studio, and there’s a good joke in there somewhere. Props to Clyde for joyfully yelling “LET’S GO KNICKS” immediately prior to tip. We missed you, legend.