Julius Randle says he's 'damn proud to be a Knick'

Over the last several years, the Knicks had become the go-to punchline for NBA fans, as the franchise became a perpetual cellar-dweller who convinced themselves that every big-name free agent was going to head to New York, only for that player to then head somewhere where good basketball was actually being played. 

But this year, things appear to be different, as the 18-18 Knicks are firmly in the playoff race nearly halfway through the season and Julius Randle made it clear he wasn't going to hide his New York pride anymore. 

In an essay for The Players' Tribune, the veteran wrote that he was "damn proud to be a Knick" and Randle doubled down on that sentiment when he spoke with reporters, telling them that even when he signed with the team in 2019, he believed that the team was going to turn its luck around. 

"When I came here almost two years ago that was the plan, I wanted to be here long term," he explained. "I want to be a Knick. My thoughts haven't changed."

While the Knicks don't seem like they'll be primed for a deep playoff run anytime soon, they at least seem to be fun for the first time since the days of Melo. And don't be surprised if before too long, they end up landing a superstar.