Knicks Media Roundup: Silver, Thibs & Randle in The Bronx, Bridges on trades

Julius Randle keeps caring for the community, and that’s something we love and appreciate.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, along with a whole lot of New York Knicks past-and-present legends, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the soon-to-be-open 69,000-square foot, five-story Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School on Wednesday on Elton Avenue in The Bronx.

The facility will serve as a not-for-profit charter high school and is expected to open in 2026.

The event featured the likes of three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, and NBA legends Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, in attendance.

Knicks forward Julius Randle, who raised over $1.3 million for the school, was surprised by the announcement that the basketball court would be named “The Julius Randle All-Star Court,” and he was one of the persons speaking on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at everything the protagonists said during the event.

Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner)

On the current NBA landscape and the success of small (Oklahoma City) and big markets (New York) alike:

“We hear less about this big-small market dynamic than we used to, particularly with this new system we’ve put in place where it’s not just a question of who is willing to pay the greatest luxury tax because there are competitive consequences even if you’re willing to go into the tax. And so we’re seeing in a positive way the effects of strong management.

“You can mention Oklahoma City, they managed to stay competitive. They have their ebbs and flows but an amazingly managed team. And now you’re seeing that with the Knicks as well.”

On Jalen Brunson’s leadership and impact on the Knicks:

“Compliments to the Knicks and Jalen for creating an environment that he wanted to be in. If he continues to play at the level he is, he’ll make an enormous amount of money, which is wonderful.

“I think what he did with his contract is consistent with the way he leads on the floor. I think he made it clear to his teammates that he cares about them as well and he also realizes that in order to compete for championships, he needs great players around him.”

On the Knicks’ success and the city’s basketball culture:

“As a lifelong New Yorker, it’s fantastic to see. Of course, as commissioner of the league, I support all teams equally. I get a disproportionate number of comments pro-Knicks as I live in New York City and walking around the streets and you can just tell how enthusiastic the fans are in this town. I’ve always thought of New York City as a basketball town.

“When I talk to players around the league on other teams, many of whom are from the New York area, of course, they don’t want to lose to the Knicks, but they love coming to the Garden, having a competitive Knicks team, having the celebrities sit courtside, having that special energy in the building.”

Julius Randle

On his involvement with the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School:

“It was Earl’s involvement. Dan, Aaron Mintz, a lot of different people helped me get involved. But, you know, I was always just looking for a way to give back, get back to the youth, more importantly. It’s really a highlight and praise for Earl and Dan.

“You know, my job is easy, go out there and shoot some threes and make some threes and get highlights, raise awareness. But those guys are really pounding the pavement. They put in the groundwork every single day, from raising money for the school, getting donors involved, hiring educators, the teachers, raising these kids’ reading levels.

“All these different types of things every day, they’re heavily involved. And, you know, to see the growth, from the beginning, it was how could I help?”

Tom Thibodeau

On Julius Randle’s commitment to the community

“It says a lot about his commitment to the community. It’s also the time he put into it. I think for all the students, that’s a blessing. Someone who is willing to put the time in and it’s a great example for them. When you see that commitment, his support, and his involvement, that’s what makes it special.”

On Randle’s health and status entering the preseason:

“Yeah, I think (he’s healthy). We open camp on Monday so we’ll get out there and we’ll get going.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

On Randle’s role in the upcoming season:

“We’ll look at some different things, because we have versatility. We could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.”

Walt “Clyde” Frazier

On his experience playing with Earl Monroe and its relevance to the current Knicks:

“It’s not as dynamic as when Earl came because everyone was saying we’d need two basketballs. It would never work. Frazier’s going to get traded. So there was a lot of negativity to that.

“But Earl and I made it work because of our mutual respect for each other. Actually, he made the sacrifice. In Baltimore, they wanted him to shoot 30 times. They just wanted him to be the offensive guy. But when he came to the Knicks, he said, ‘Hey man, I’m a basketball player. I can play defense. I can pass the ball.’ And he did that.”

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Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images

In a completely different setup and more private setup, new Knickerbocker Mikal Bridges had an interview with Spencer Davies of RG.org.

Bridges touched on his first years in the Association, getting traded for the nth time, and what’s ahead of him in New York, where he’ll try to set camp for the long-term future.

Here’s what Mikal said.

Mikal Bridges

On being traded frequently in recent years:

“Crazy. I would’ve thought I was the last person to be traded all the time.

“It kinda started when I was in Phoenix. I thought I probably never was gonna leave Phoenix. Being the type of player I am, I feel like I’m kinda in a glue role usually a team would trade for or would trade to give up [a lot]. But once that starts, once you get traded once, now it’s like it’s gonna be continuous.

“Hopefully, things go great [in New York] and I don’t gotta keep moving teams.”

On his reaction to being traded to the Knicks:

“The first thing, I was in shock because I didn’t think that will ever happen.

“I was super geeked, I’ve been watching y’all in the playoffs and stuff and I can just see the atmosphere in the games.”

On how he fits alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle:

“I think they complement each other—before I even got here—so well.

“Jalen and Julius (Randle), them two, just playing off them. I know how to play with Jalen when he has the ball; it’s just from throughout the years and the chemistry we had. And I think trying to build that with Julius in the preseason and training camp.

“They were good last year. I think I’ll just come in and I could fit.”