Julius Randle apparently borrowed one of LeBron James' well-known playoff habits during the Minnesota Timberwolves' postseason run.
The former New York Knicks All-Star began arriving at arenas several hours before tip-off for big playoff games, a routine he said was inspired by James.
"When the Timberwolves were playing against the Thunder, Julius Randle was – Julius actually maybe told other people this too, but I asked him about it – he told me that LeBron inspired him to this," Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast.
"Before big playoff games, LeBron would famously get to arenas three, four hours early and do shooting by himself. So Julius Randle started doing that, and he would come into the Thunder arena like two and a half, three hours before tip-off."
Randle enters a new chapter with Brooklyn
After a couple of years spent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Julius Randle enters a new chapter of his career, returning to New York, but this time with the Brooklyn Nets after being involved in a blockbuster four-team trade that sent LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
Last season, Randle had another solid season, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, helping the Timberwolves reach the second round of the playoffs, defeating Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
The 31-year-old three-time NBA All-Star has two years left on his current contract, with the second year being a player option.
This season, Randle is set to earn $33.3 million, while next year, he could make $35.8 million if he accepts the player option.