Many NBA experts predict that New York Knicks will go as far in the playoffs, as their up-and-down forward, Julius Randle will take them. If Randle is less than 100% (physically or mentally), New York has little chance of winning a title.

104.5 THE TEAM logo
Get our free mobile app

Heading into the 2023-24 season, Julius Randle appears to be in a great frame of mind, especially after signing a favorable shoe deal with Skechers. The California athletic shoe manufacturer is now 2nd in sneaker sales in the United States, surpassing Adidas, Asics and New Balance. Randle is now part of the Skechers' athlete team.

Getty Images
Getty Images
loading...

In an article by Kristian Winfield on nydailynews.com, Randle explained why he chose Sketchers over Nike or Jordan. "For me, it was bigger than basketball. The opportunity to not only kinda trail-blaze a new shoe that’s coming into the basketball game but opportunity to build with Skechers, do things outside the box that I might not get a chance to do at Nike or a Jordan, who’s big." Input by Randle and his wife seems to be the key to making this deal work and the Knicks' All Star is most likely correct. He would not get that input at Nike.

Getty Images
Getty Images
loading...

Randle emphasized the importance of his wife's involvement in the agreement on nydailynews.com, "Being able to bring people, loved ones, family, my wife around me and have them involved and then able for them to do things is super important. So any time you do something different, there’s obviously gonna be a lot of talk, but the opportunity is there. It’s a tremendous opportunity." Knicks fans hope that Randle's enthusiasm for his new shoes can catapult them into the NBA finals.

Getty Images
Getty Images
loading...

Study Names 2023's Ten Worst 'Small Cities' in Upstate New York

A study ranked every "small city" in America, and while Saratoga Springs was named one of the country's best, these NY cities were a few of the country's worst.

Gallery Credit: Dan Bahl

Help The FBI Solve These Eight Open Investigations in New York State

The FBI Albany Field Office has a number of on-going investigations currently happening in the State Capital, and some of the details of the crimes are chilling.

Gallery Credit: Dan Bahl

Ten Best Photos of Fans from Upstate NY and Beyond at Bills' London Game

Fans from Buffalo, Upstate NY and beyond met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London to watch the Bills play the Jaguars, and these were ten of the best photos.

Gallery Credit: Dan Bahl

More From 104.5 THE TEAM