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This topic has been bouncing around from thread to thread. I've spoke on it a couple of times and already silenced one non-believer. But, why does everyone feel like we need to get rid of him? Why isn't he a part of our long term plans? He has a skill set that is rare in the NBA and is only found among elite players...
I never would've thought so many people would be down on him, he's played good for us he's gotten in shape and I believe he's going to have a breakout season.
According to this board Laker Nation seems split on him. Let's talk about it...


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Defensive effort / lack of any rim protection, lack of shooting, and a large pay day incoming. Doesn't really fit in Luke's system.

Elite players my ass...

Can't shoot, can't defend, can't protect the rim, questionable basketball IQ.


This are the areas a PF should work on. Yeah, he can rebound, I'll give him that, but it's not enough.
The fact that he's able to handle the ball and pass is sooooo overrated for a big, if he can't do squat of the other basic things.



It's like a goalkeeper who's good with his passing game, but sucks at his actual **** job, preventing goals.

He's not a superstar and his impending contract will hamper the Lakers from acquiring two max players.

If the Lakers strike out in their free agents bids next summer, I wouldnt mind keeping Randle for the long haul.

Upside: Great rebounder. Runs the break Barkley style, with and without ball. Might become a living highlight reel with Lonzo. Tough and strong in the post. Good handles. Good passer. Beast!

Downside: all of the above is only true when he's engaged in a game. One handed. Lacks mid to long range shot. His defensive intensity and overall defensive effort needs further development, maybe coached by Metta?

One of his most worshiped qualities, his bull-in-china-shop-"ballhandling", was just 100% negated by the addition of Lonzo.

Also, his lack of jumper, defense, rim protection, and a right hand make him not-elite.

But hey, hes a great rebounder....

Also, his pending extension....

With all this said, if we were able to get 2 FAs this summer, I wouldn't mind going over the cap to resign him for something less than the max.

On the other hand, if we could use him to unload Deng and acquire a 1st for 2018, that would be grand as well.

I think he would have been a great power forward 20 years ago but today's game demands more than I fear he has

His contract situation is interesting.

BlackieMamba wrote:This topic has been bouncing around from thread to thread. I've spoke on it a couple of times and already silenced one non-believer. But, why does everyone feel like we need to get rid of him? Why isn't he a part of our long term plans? He has a skill set that is rare in the NBA and is only found among elite players...
I never would've thought so many people would be down on him, he's played good for us he's gotten in shape and I believe he's going to have a breakout season.
According to this board Laker Nation seems split on him. Let's talk about it...


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Don't think that we should be in a rush to get rid of him, at least not until the trade deadline at the earliest. It is evident that Lakers intend to build around Randle; imho I don't see a good fit next to Lonzo unless Randle radically changes his game. Lonzo appears to fit next to shooters and cutters; Randle does neither particularly well (one might even argue that he does poorly at both). The elite skills to which you are referring aren't necessarily needed on the team anymore. Lonzo needs shooters, cutters, defense, etc. At the moment, Randle doesn't do any of these things well. If Randle buys into ball movement and develops a jumpshot, great, it could work.

When Russell came most of guys want to trade him away for superstars like Melo and such. That was after his injury.

so the hate even come way before he plays in the league. I don't even know why.

With his impending extension, he doesn't really have the luxury of wait and see anymore. It's a big year for him, front office is going to have to make a decision on what he is rather than when they hope he'll become. Can't have a 2018 cap plan and also be paying Randle for potential.

In judging what he is right now, would it be wrong to say that Randle is a...

Above average rebounder
Above average ball handler
Above average passer
Average face up game
below average shooter
below average rim protector
below average post defender
below average perimeter defender (good when effort is there though)
below average post threat
Below average screen setter
Below average off ball movement

I mean, when you're looking at someone who isn't a center who has so far shown to be a below average shooter and a below average defender, that's something you simply can't build a contender with.

Hopefully the story is different this year but is it really hate if someone points out that some of the more critical skills needed at pf are some of his biggest weaknesses?

dockingsched wrote:With his impending extension, he doesn't really have the luxury of wait and see anymore. It's a big year for him, front office is going to have to make a decision on what he is rather than when they hope he'll become. Can't have a 2018 cap plan and also be paying Randle for potential.

In judging what he is right now, would it be wrong to say that Randle is a...

Above average rebounder
Above average ball handler
Above average passer
Average face up game
below average shooter
below average rim protector
below average post defender
below average perimeter defender (good when effort is there though)
below average post threat
Below average screen setter
Below average off ball movement

I mean, when you're looking at someone who isn't a center who has so far shown to be a below average shooter and a below average defender, that's something you simply can't build a contender with.

Hopefully the story is different this year but is it really hate if someone points out that some of the more critical skills needed at pf are some of his biggest weaknesses?

I knew when I saw that you posted in a thread titled "Julis Randle: Why so much hate?" that you'd be biased and essentially trash him, however, I didn't think you'd exaggerate the truth so far as so say that he's aan above average passer and ball handler. From that point, I stopped reading. If you compare him to Chris Paul, sure he's an above average ball handler, but for a big? He's elite in both of those categories.And really, above average rebounder? Stop it. Doc... you're losing it.

I love Randle and he's been hot and cold which is frustrating but not unheard of. As of now I'm 50/50 on him. If he comes into this year and there's improvement with his production and he shows consistentency then I'm on board with paying him. If not then I'm ok to let him walk.

I don't have an issue with the Randle love or hate, I just take issue with people trying to make that decision now. Let it play out.

ak7 wrote:

dockingsched wrote:With his impending extension, he doesn't really have the luxury of wait and see anymore. It's a big year for him, front office is going to have to make a decision on what he is rather than when they hope he'll become. Can't have a 2018 cap plan and also be paying Randle for potential.

In judging what he is right now, would it be wrong to say that Randle is a...

Above average rebounder
Above average ball handler
Above average passer
Average face up game
below average shooter
below average rim protector
below average post defender
below average perimeter defender (good when effort is there though)
below average post threat
Below average screen setter
Below average off ball movement

I mean, when you're looking at someone who isn't a center who has so far shown to be a below average shooter and a below average defender, that's something you simply can't build a contender with.

Hopefully the story is different this year but is it really hate if someone points out that some of the more critical skills needed at pf are some of his biggest weaknesses?

I knew when I saw that you posted in a thread titled "Julis Randle: Why so much hate?" that you'd be biased and essentially trash him, however, I didn't think you'd exaggerate the truth so far as so say that he's aan above average passer and ball handler. From that point, I stopped reading. If you compare him to Chris Paul, sure he's an above average ball handler, but for a big? He's elite in both of those categories.And really, above average rebounder? Stop it. Doc... you're losing it.

It's possible to critique a player and not thrash or hate the player. You said Doc exaggerated the truth while understating Randle's ball handling. Those two claims seem to contradict themselves. Considering how few bigs are capable of handling the ball, Randle very well may have elite ball handling for his position. However, i do think ball handling is one of the most misused terms. In the context of Randle's strengths, ball handling is vastly overrated. It is primarily Randle's speed and not his ball handling that adds the most value. I rarely see Randle using his handles to create for himself. His handles when combined with his speed is very impressive. He is in fact an above average rebounder, i don't see elite.

basically going into his third season.. his second front office personnel with his second coach... his first was Byron Scott who didn't know how to exactly use him and his second was a rookie head coach trying to install a system with a bunch of kids and a couple vets all who had never played together or in that type of system... let him grow before you bash with nonsensical stats, he's a good player and should thrive in Walton's system once everyone is on the same page

Regardless of how we feel, he's got one more year to prove his worth on the team. If he can improve his shooting from outside 20ft, he will be re-up, if not.. he will be moved at the trade deadline along with Deng. Rob and Magic aren't messing around and won't sit tight like Mitch and Jim did fiddling their thumbs.

the Kuz waving goodbye to Randle

It really all depends on whether or not those thousands of three point shots he takes every day this summer, end up translating in a real game. We'll find out soon enough.

I like Randle. I think he brings some semi-unique things to the table. I see no reason he couldn't work in Luke's system, and play really well with Ball.

Would like to see him expand his game. The things he wants to do, will come so much easier if defenders half-respected his outside shot. Not even 3-pointers. 3-4 sweet spots in the 15-18 foot range are fine.

Personally, my beef with him is that none of this is new. He coulda worked on all this last offseason. Instead he came back the exact same player he was the year before. Perhaps a little more seasoned....but thats it. He definitely takes the occasional game off. <-----all that makes me a little suspicious when I hear about the mighty work-horse he's turned into his big contract year.

He'll bring good stats this year, I bet. But keep an eye out for the intangible hustle stuff. The help defense...rotating. That's the stuff that separates a guy taking strides from a guy hoping for a pay-day.

If I were Magic, I'd tell him "double-double is just expected. Don't think that's earning you much. Your defense, and your rebounding grit are what's gonna get you resigned for big $$"

I'd love to see big things.....but I have a feeling he's gonna get shipped off with Deng. We'll see

He is the prototypical anti-current day NBA PF... can't stretch the floor with shooting, can't defend the basket, needs the ball in his hands too much. I don't think there is anyway we pay him next year.