Page 1 of 3
Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 10:27 am
by yitur
After his baby was born Julius Randle hit the switch and turned into start of the season Randle again.
In 5 games he averaged 18 points 9 rebounds and 6 asists per game and he is shooting 53 from the floor and 75 from the FT line. He looks more engaged overall and he joined a super elite group of players to achieve more than 1 TD this year(for those who wandering Giannis-Lebron-Westbrook-Draymond-Harden). He is also averaging almost 17-11-5 per36 overall this season.
I created this topic because it seems like we only talk about him when he has mental breakdowns but never talk about him when he has special games like this. I remember following him when everyone called 2014 class the next big thing and thought from what I heard he was another bully ball player and to some extent it is true. But when I saw his handles I felt yeah this kid will make it for sure. By the way this was way before we drafted him when they were in HS and there was no Embiid talk around. With his handles his overall athletic ability and developing BBall IQ it feels like he will be the leader of this team.
What do you guys think, I would love to learn how this board feels about him and also Russell-Ingram going forward. I'm pretty bored of the overreactions and trade the ship and tank talk.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 1:14 pm
by Mirjalovic
he will be our MVP.
him and Russell are perfect to each other, and Ingram will lead the core.
since i watch him in Kentucky i knew he will be special. How the **** he can finish over 5 people if he doesn't have "it" in his heart ? This season he is more polished than before, and watchout when he hit the prime. His coast to coast dribble looks freaking natural not awkward like Jokic, Gordon, and Town. almost guard like.
what i like from Lakers young cores are they are so raw yet so skilled for their position. Just wait..
the league just doesn't know what will hit them badly in few years. Ignorance is a bliss..
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 2:35 pm
by Slava
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 5:48 pm
by danfantastk32
I don't get on these guys when things are bad personally. I am sticking to my guns that I won't "decide what we have" until the end of next season (As far as Randle, Russell, Nance). Ingram has until the end of the following season.
That said....I've been happy with Randle. He really needs to push himself to grow, and use that right hand a little more. For better or for worse....you gotta use it. This is the season to do it. He's been shooting a bit more mid-range / outside...and he just needs to keep working on it. I think he's coming along nicely. No complaints. I worry a little that Russell is regressing...but there is his injury, and I still give him until next year as well. Plenty of time for plenty of growth.
Despite his limitations, Randle continues to get it done. That's a GREAT sign. Now just imagine what he'll be like if he could go right or left.....or stop and pop a 14-footer.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:37 pm
by lake_show
I'm one of those guys that likes all of our young core. Including JC. I think, in a perfect world, all of them can grow into a solid team together once they all hit their strides. D'Lo, Randle, and Ingram at the 1-3-4 to start. JC and Nance coming off the bench. People lose sight of the fact that JC is averaging 14pts off the bench for us. He tends to get overshadowed by Lou Williams, but 14pts off the bench isn't easy to come by in this league. It seems like every few months this board decides it's time to collectively bash some Laker player or another (Nance, then D'Lo, then Randle, now JC). I personally like every one of our young guys. Anyways, that's my JC rant lol...
Back to Randle. It's starting to become really clear that as he and Russell go, this team goes. When they are not engaged, or missing assignments we look really bad. When they are engaged, and playing good basketball we look really good. That's a double edged sword though. Yeah, they deserve credit for being players who can impact a game like that. Guys who can get us wins. They both need to stay engaged though. The good news is I think they're starting to figure that out. They're starting to realize how much of an impact they can have on this game. They just need to decide how much they want it.
Randle's triple double's are no joke. The fact that at this stage of his game he's showing that he can almost get a triple double on any given night is something to marvel at. People were excited about him getting his 10th assist last night. Me included. He also had 14 rebounds though. Those are big numbers. Grabbing 14 rebounds in a night is kind of a big accomplishment in itself, but he's capable of that. When we were losing he was getting 4-6 rebounds a game. He's gonna be a good basketball player no matter what. How much does he want it though? And, how far does he want to take it?... I guess that's what we're gonna find out.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:44 pm
by BEazy
I've had no problems with Julius. Maybe sometimes the going right thing, but that will come in time and more practice. He's progressing along quite nicely. To think during draft night some people were upset that the Celtics took Marcus Smart and we were left with Julius Randle. I'm happy Celtics messed up that pick and we got the better of the situation.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:53 pm
by crazyeights
He's our x-factor. When he elevates his effort, we're a totally different team.
One of my favorite sequences of his this season: 5 blocks against the Hornets down the stretch
http://www.nba.com/lakers/video/teams/lakers/2016/12/21/1482350338038-julius-blocks-1055452/
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 3:00 am
by So Gutta
I thank the Celtics every day for taking Marcus Smart. Lakers FO were probably shocked that the Celtics left Randle on the board.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 3:09 am
by Mirjalovic
So Gutta wrote:I thank the Celtics every day for taking Marcus Smart. Lakers FO were probably shocked that the Celtics left Randle on the board.
Yup.
i kinda like Smart's defense, but people on realgm/lakersground treat him as 2nd coming Wade and visibly angry when Celtics took him. Thankfully i had a vision that say "never trust a fat PG", well except Lowry.
I did not think we had a real chance to land him, but Magic took a bold move and draft Gordon at 4. Its seal the deal.
remember Mitch's huge grin when he introduce Randle ? LOL. Since when Mitch can smile like this.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 4:31 am
by stan francisco
What I valued the most with Randle last year (his first playing season) was his rebounding and ability lead the break bullrushing style and make easy plays.
His jumper was suspect last year, looks to be improved and still improving. Same with his right handed layups. Same with his threes. Next year, I'll be happy to see further improvements but like with Blake Griffin and many other bigs, jump shooting will unlikely be his main future strength.
What I would like to see from Randle right now compared to last year is a much stronger focus on defensive rebounding. In my mind, he should target 15-15-5 every game to get the best balance output from him. He's a great rebounder! Let's take full advantage of that talent, make rebounding and leading the break his main bread. The rest will come with time.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 4:53 am
by Michael Lucky
I've been really impress with his play so far. He just needs to keep working on the jumpshot if he wants to be a real star and one of the top players in the league.
So Gutta wrote:I thank the Celtics every day for taking Marcus Smart. Lakers FO were probably shocked that the Celtics left Randle on the board.
Yeah they had Randle at number five on their draft board. They had Exum higher though, and i'm glad the Jazz took him now.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 4:57 am
by Michael Lucky
Mirjalovic wrote:So Gutta wrote:I thank the Celtics every day for taking Marcus Smart. Lakers FO were probably shocked that the Celtics left Randle on the board.
Yup.
i kinda like Smart's defense, but people on realgm/lakersground treat him as 2nd coming Wade and visibly angry when Celtics took him. Thankfully i had a vision that say "never trust a fat PG", well except Lowry.
I wouldn't go that far. I know many Celtics fans were hoping for Randle over Smart. I have to say the Celtics haven't done all that good in the draft. They clearly made the right choice when it comes to their coach though.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 1:03 pm
by Mirjalovic
look at that eyes.
that eyes really wanted that ball. He just want to play.. he loves and breathes basketball. Thats the desire in his heart that will separate him with another PFs in his class.
its just burning thru his vein. He got fire in his vein.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 1:18 pm
by Slava
Looks like Kentucky didn't spare any expense in recruiting him. "Wanna sit next to Hov and Beyonce at the Lakers game?", sure just sign on this dotted line on the letter of intent.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 3:00 pm
by iamworthy
Mirjalovic wrote:look at that eyes.
that eyes really wanted that ball. He just want to play.. he loves and breathes basketball. Thats the desire in his heart that will separate him with another PFs in his class.
its just burning thru his vein. He got fire in his vein.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 3:23 pm
by crazyeights
Michael Lucky wrote:Mirjalovic wrote:So Gutta wrote:I thank the Celtics every day for taking Marcus Smart. Lakers FO were probably shocked that the Celtics left Randle on the board.
Yup.
i kinda like Smart's defense, but people on realgm/lakersground treat him as 2nd coming Wade and visibly angry when Celtics took him. Thankfully i had a vision that say "never trust a fat PG", well except Lowry.
I wouldn't go that far. I know many Celtics fans were hoping for Randle over Smart. I have to say the Celtics haven't done all that good in the draft. They clearly made the right choice when it comes to their coach though.
I've tried finding it so many times, but the ESPN draft coverage where Bill Simmons is like Celtics gotta go Randle here and then they whiff and he drops to the Lakers....Oh boy, one of my favorite moments of Laker fandom.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 4:14 pm
by Kilroy
Smart was just terrible in the workout videos I saw... I was so glad we didn't take him.
Randle with as many triple doubles as Green and Giannis and one more than CP3... One less than LeBron too... Tied for 5th in the NBA. I know... Useless stat and all that, but someone must like it. At least 3 sports news sites are tracking it.
Just glad to see a thread like this finally has some legs... Keep up the good work Randle.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 4:40 pm
by ALL HAIL
Anybody old enough to remember Billy Owens knows his game is much like Randle's. Randle is just some thirty pounds bigger and has a legit shot at being nurtured properly (unlike Owens).
Like a young Billy Owens, I'm starting to think Randle needs the ball in his hands more often than even I, a big Randle guy, foresaw.
Nothing else has changed for me about Randle though. I still think he's got franchise player potential.
He, just like all players, needs to be surrounded by the right guys in order to flourish.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 5:03 pm
by Kilroy
Yeah, I think it's as simple as getting Russell playing well more consistently... He's a guy who can score, create for others, and defend the perimeter, when he's engaged and aggressive... Those 3 things, if Randle has them to share/feed off of, make his game so much more dynamic...
Both of them are willing to share the ball and willing to feed each other, I think the biggest reason Randle has looked stagnant and forced at times, has been that it's been rare that they've both been 'on' at the same time this season... Randle's been more consistent, but we really need them to be co-leaders on both ends of the court, night in and night out... Now... Because we need to be able to work Ingram into that dynamic as he develops, and if they aren't ready, his development is going to stagnate...
It's not an easy recipe to get right. The question is, when to you recognize it's not going to work and pull the plug... Personally, I think that date is Christmas 2017... If Russell/Randle isn't a dominant night in/night out, pairing by then, it's probably time to trade one or both of them, and do whatever we can to surround Ingram with the talent he needs to become a star.
Re: Julius Randle Appreciation Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 5:17 pm
by iamworthy
Kilroy wrote:Yeah, I think it's as simple as getting Russell playing well more consistently... He's a guy who can score, create for others, and defend the perimeter, when he's engaged and aggressive... Those 3 things, if Randle has them to share/feed off of, make his game so much more dynamic...
Both of them are willing to share the ball and willing to feed each other, I think the biggest reason Randle has looked stagnant and forced at times, has been that it's been rare that they've both been 'on' at the same time this season... Randle's been more consistent, but we really need them to be co-leaders on both ends of the court, night in and night out... Now... Because we need to be able to work Ingram into that dynamic as he develops, and if they aren't ready, his development is going to stagnate...
It's not an easy recipe to get right. The question is, when to you recognize it's not going to work and pull the plug... Personally, I think that date is Christmas 2017... If Russell/Randle isn't a dominant night in/night out, pairing by then, it's probably time to trade one or both of them, and do whatever we can to surround Ingram with the talent he needs to become a star.
How long do we give Ingram before we trade him?