Julius Randle is an All-Star because of his leadership and Kobe Bryant-like work ethic

There is a difference between being a top goalscorer and being a true leader.

The fact that Julius Randle went from first to second at the age of 26 is the reason he will play his first NBA All-Star game on Sunday in Atlanta (8 p.m., TNT). And that’s why his young Knicks are following his lead in their best season in years.

Being elected to the All-Star team and the Skills Challenge that precedes it are individual honors. Randle, however, won them because of how he took on a leadership role for inexperienced young Knicks, often carrying them on his extra-wide shoulders.

“Absolutely, I accept it. I work for this. I challenge myself and push myself to be able to do it every night. I know I still have a long way to go and that I can improve a lot as well, ”said Randle.

“But I really think I grew up as a leader. I really think I’m a person on our team who leads by example with the way I approach my way of working. I care about my teammates. I really think it’s something that guys look to me every night to bring my game in a certain way. I’m trying to the best of my ability to do this. “

Randle experienced a revolutionary campaign. He enters the All-Star Game averaging 23.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 40.8 3-pointers – all career records.

“This guy is going crazy this year, for the first time at the All-Star,” Kevin Durant said of Randle when he picked the Knicks forward for his team Durant to face Team LeBron.

In reality, Randle is just continuing his upward trajectory, which started while he was with the Pelicans before turning back after signing with the Knicks last season.

“I’m very close to the guys who coached him in New Orleans. They said, “You’re going to love it when you train it. This is true after being around him, the way he changed his game, ”Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “My big concern at the start of the season was the 3 point shooter, and he was so diligent with his job and he became a great 3 point shooter. He has a full game.

“He has made great progress. His leadership too. He is a great worker and a great example. The impact on the victory was enormous. “

Randle said he learned his work ethic from watching Kobe Bryant during their time with the Lakers, and was open about last season’s disappointment and making a bad first impression.

This year Randle arrived at camp in better shape. He took young people such as RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin under his wing, emphasizing the value of video work and guiding them to devote extra time to the gym.

Rather than get irritated at the mentorship, they embraced Randle’s advice. The results are a surprising 19-18-year-old Knicks team, on the pace of their first winning season since 2013.

“Very exciting. It’s encouraging,” Randle said. “It’s really exciting. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to get these guys to take on this type of responsibility every day. This is something that I look forward to and that is really very encouraging.

Randle relished the victory and can’t wait to grab even the wins that don’t count in the standings – aiming for both Sunday’s Skills Challenge against Luka Doncic and the All-Star Game against Team LeBron.

“Quite simple [goal], winning both, ”Randle said. “Pretty simple, try to win both, just enjoy the experience and make sure my family enjoys it.”