Julius Randle: But as far as myself, I know Thibs (Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau) is thinking (it as well), it’s just win at all costs. For me personally, that’s just how I prepare myself. I prepare myself to compete at the highest level of our game. Like I said, there’s a lot of factors (that go into winning an NBA title). But I trust Leon (Knicks president Leon Rose), I trust Thibs, Wes (Knicks vice president William Wesley), our coaches, Scott (Knicks GM Scott Perry) – all these guys, I trust. That was part of my process in thinking of signing the extension and that’s my goal, that’s our goal as a team and the guys that are around us. We want to be able to say that we won a championship here in New York. I don’t think there’s any better feeling than that.
William Wesley Rumors
The disparity was evident in Monday’s game with the Pacers as Duarte played his first summer league game. He showed why the Knicks lusted after him. Duarte scored 14 points in 26 minutes, making 3 of 7 3-pointers, and registering two blocks. Afterward, Duarte said he was aware the Knicks were trying to move up but was just happy to be picked so high. Duarte blocked Grimes’ shot on a fast break, then demonstrated his jumping ability by leaping to reject with two hands an Obi Toppin runner. According to a source, Knicks senior vice president William Wesley was Duarte’s biggest fan and sat courtside in watching Duarte’s polish Monday.
Scott Perry established himself as an integral part of a front office that included Rose, executive vice president William Wesley and vice president Brock Aller. After a successful 2020-21 regular season, the Knicks clearly feel that the organization can continue to grow with Perry playing a pivotal role. One league source said Perry, one of the few senior Knick executives with front office experience, worked well with Rose and Wesley.
In fact, media access was extremely limited with reporters not having access to any of the group of players who could have groused about their roles (Kevin Knox, the departed Austin Rivers, Frank Ntilikina, Payton). According to sources, Knicks senior vice president William Wesley believes the New York media’s intrusion played a role in their troubles in past years. Indeed, the Zoom era suited James Dolan’s Knicks well.
There’s a former Knick who still plays in the league. He talks to different players on different teams regularly. And the general feeling that he’s gotten from players outside of New York is this: It looks like they’re having fun. “They see (William Wesley) on the sidelines, they see Julius and the other young guys and see chemistry,” that player says. We should note that the opinions above are from a small sample of players. And some members of opposing teams have privately scoffed at Wesley celebrating with players and coaches as he sits courtside at games. But Randle and the players appreciate it. And that’s probably the only thing that matters; the opinions of players – more so than opposing coaches/front office members – will be key for the Knicks moving forward. “Most guys I speak with like what they’re doing over there,” the former Knick said.
