The New Julius Randle

[ManualRam]

the only thing that has changed over the course of the season is that he's being put in a position to face up instead of post up. that has always been where he was most comfortable so i don't see a "new" julius randle.

Seems to be a more willing passer and team player. Not forcing too much anymore. Seems like a new Randle to me everytime I watch him.

he's still forcing it and still isn't much of a passer. when he forces it when facing up he's more effective because he gets more momentum toward the defender and the goal. he should've never been in the post because from there the player has to rely on his skill, footwork, deception, patience and ability to shoot over or around defenders. facing up, he's more in space so he doesn't start his touches in congestion, which means less chances for doubles. he can just put his head down and attack his defender with his first step and momentum...which has always been his game. there's nothing too complicated or clever about his game.

[flying_mollusk]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdsY62qaCoA[/youtube]

this guy is explosive... how he slip under the radar?

Easy, he wasn't being guarded by shooting guard sized guys all year long.

They showed a stat yesterday that I thought was telling. Top four freshman all time in double doubles in a season. In order, Beasley, Randle, Love, Melo. Other than Beasley, whose downfall was his own lack of work ethic, that's good company to be in.

Oh yeah, and Love's wingspan is 6-11.25, while Randle's is 6-11.

That is indeed good company, but he isn't nearly the same scorer as Beasley, Love or Melo, and he isn't the same rebounder that Love is.

Love's game is different from Randle's, and he sucks at defense too, at least in part because of his wingspan. If he develops Love's instincts for rebounding or his shooting touch, then perhaps his poor length will not be as big of a deal.

I mentioned above, but it looks like they have the same wingspan, which actually supports Randle. I think theyll have different styles, but I think it is indicative of guys who have a strong feel for the game and know how to score within whatever skillset they do have.

[MellowRose]

the only thing that has changed over the course of the season is that he's being put in a position to face up instead of post up. that has always been where he was most comfortable so i don't see a "new" julius randle.

Seems to be a more willing passer and team player. Not forcing too much anymore. Seems like a new Randle to me everytime I watch him.

he's still forcing it and still isn't much of a passer. when he forces it when facing up he's more effective because he gets more momentum toward the defender and the goal. he should've never been in the post because from there the player has to rely on his skill, footwork, deception, patience and ability to shoot over or around defenders. facing up, he's more in space so he doesn't start his touches in congestion, which means less chances for doubles. he can just put his head down and attack his defender with his first step and momentum...which has always been his game. there's nothing too complicated or clever about his game.

His game is pretty smart, IMO. Randle has some of the best pump fakes I've seen in a while from a PF. His drive to the basket aren't straight line drives either. He has pretty nimble feet while avoiding the 3 players clogging the paint every time he drives.

[Apollo64]

His wingspan is definitely going to be an issue in the offensive end, he is going to get squatted a lot against NBA competition. He is also going to have a number of charges called against him with the bullish way he attacks the rim, that's his game after all. He is still going to be a load for the other team to contain and a reference offensive point for his team, in the sense that he can create offense for himself and be the 1st/2nd scorer. What i really like is his defense: as mentioned, he just bodies up and contests, doesn't gamble for steals and blocks, he can stay in front of his match-up. He is going to be good defensively in the NBA from the get go.

[LloydFree]

His ceiling seems higher than it was. Sometimes, in that last game, he seems unstoppable. He could end up being a LeBron James-type.

Beyond ridiculous

[doordoor123]

His ceiling seems higher than it was. Sometimes, in that last game, he seems unstoppable. He could end up being a LeBron James-type.

Beyond ridiculous

Look, if I compared Kobe to Michael Jordan when he came out, I would get the same response. I mean, Kobe spent his first season coming off the bench behind Eddie Jones.

What I mean is that I see certain qualities of elite athleticism probably not being used to its max potential. That doesn't mean he'll ever tap into that. Or maybe, like Paul George (sometimes), he will.

[LloydFree]

Pros? Cons?

How much has he changed his game? Has he impressed you? What does he need to work on? Where would you pick him in the draft, based on his CURRENT play and on his potential?

Pros: Freakishly Quick. Decent passer when he is in that mindset. Good body control. Good FT shooter

Cons: Wingspan. Bad defensive instincts. No right hand at all. Can't get shots off against length. Inconsistent motor

I would start considering Julius Randle at #7, (after Wiggins, Embiid, Vonleh, Parker, Exum and Smart) and probably take him at 9 or 10.

[MellowRose]

Pros? Cons?

How much has he changed his game? Has he impressed you? What does he need to work on? Where would you pick him in the draft, based on his CURRENT play and on his potential?

Pros: Freakishly Quick. Decent passer when he is in that mindset. Good body control. Good FT shooter

Cons: Wingspan. Bad defensive instincts. No right hand at all. Can't get shots off against length. Inconsistent motor

I would start considering Julius Randle at #7, (after Wiggins, Embiid, Vonleh, Parker, Exum and Smart) and probably take him at 9 or 10.

Bad defensive instincts is something that has just been thrown out at Randle. It is not true. He doesn't go for blocks or steals, and instead bodies up his man. That is not bad defensive instincts.

Can easily work on right hand and make it strong.

We'll see if he really can't get shots off against length. He's too crafty to not figure something out. TBD IMO.

Inconsistent motor? False. He's just like Smart.

[Wonka]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

[MellowRose]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

[Wonka]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

Oh, I watched the game. That doesn't excuse poor shot selection. If you are getting triple teamed, you don't put a shot up.

[reanimator]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

Not like him offensive fouling either by charging or pushing off didn't necessitate that kind of defense.

[MellowRose]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

Oh, I watched the game. That doesn't excuse poor shot selection. If you are getting triple teamed, you don't put a shot up.

I agree. He needs to work on not forcing shots up. He's IMPROVED drastically in this aspect from the beginning of this season, and will continue to do so, no doubt.

IMO, he gets too antsy when he's not able to put up a shot and then forces one when there are 3 guys on him and 2 more clogging the paint.

In the NBA though, is it really not feasible to say he'll be an offensive monster and will COMMAND double teams? Defenders who have a longer wingspan may give him trouble at times, but are those defenders going to be able to match Randle's strength and quickness?

This is what makes Randle such an intriguing prospect with a very high ceiling.

[MellowRose]

He shot 7-16 last game against players much smaller than him. I wasn't really all that impressed.

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

Not like him offensive fouling either by charging or pushing off didn't necessitate that kind of defense.

How do you expect someone to get into the paint when there's 3 guys clogging it? It's very difficult to avoid everyone trying to create an offensive foul. It's pretty impressive he's able to avoid getting called for a charge every time.

[Wonka]

Did you see Michigan's defense against him??? That was a sight to see. Right when Randle touched the ball, the ENTIRE defense would COLLAPSE - basically all 5 guys. That is why he went 7-16. Also, he missed a lot of shots early that he usually makes.

You have to watch the game, not the box score.

Oh, I watched the game. That doesn't excuse poor shot selection. If you are getting triple teamed, you don't put a shot up.

I agree. He needs to work on not forcing shots up. He's IMPROVED drastically in this aspect from the beginning of this season, and will continue to do so, no doubt.

IMO, he gets too antsy when he's not able to put up a shot and then forces one when there are 3 guys on him and 2 more clogging the paint.

In the NBA though, is it really not feasible to say he'll be an offensive monster and will COMMAND double teams? Defenders who have a longer wingspan may give him trouble at times, but are those defenders going to be able to match Randle's strength and quickness?

This is what makes Randle such an intriguing prospect with a very high ceiling.

I definitely think he is gonna be a pretty solid player. I am not willing to call him the next Zach Randolph but I think he can be a solid starter. I don't think his size is too much of a problem though because he has some elite athleticism, however, a lot of people thought all of these things about Anthony Bennett. I worry more about his basketball IQ and his work ethic if anything. However, I cant see him doing **** against some of the better big men in the league.

[CBB_Fan]

Randle's offense needs to diversify to have star level success in the NBA. Right now, he is a face-up 4 without a stretch game. While he has good size, he rarely executes over defenders in the post, preferring to use his speed to get around them with 1 or 2 dribbles.

He needs to either extend his range out to complement his face-up style, or work on developing a post game. NBA defenses will not let him continuously score with simple drives, simply because the athletes at the PF position are leaps and bounds better than they are in NCAA play.

When he does drive, his decision making has not been consistent. He was exceptional against Wichita State, but in other games he turned the ball over many times because he would try to bull through a fully collapsed defense. While his physical skills are great, these mental mistakes may limit him at the NBA level.

On defense, he does not generate the numbers that a player with his size and athleticism should. Is this a work ethic problem? A sign that his athleticism is worse than advertised? Or something else? Really, I don't have answers. It is a pretty major question mark going forward.

Right now, he is an extremely quick face-up 4 with a limited offensive game that is still impressively effective at a collegiate level. He's a great rebounder, and that should translate. But to be a star, he'll need to develop more ways of scoring the ball and fix the mental issues in his game.

[Cruel_Ruin]

I love Randle. Probably my favorite prospect in the draft. He's a prospect who I can see being an inefficient black hole for his first 2-3 years while he adjusts to NBA length and athleticism, but when it clicks for him he could be a multiple time All-Star. He's got natural instincts in the post you just can't teach and great touch around the rim. He'll figure out how to outsmart NBA post defenders to get his shot off, mark my words. He'll also become better at passing it out of double/triple teams to shooters.

Needless to say, I'm high on the kid. He ought to be in consideration for first overall with Wiggins/Embiid/Parker. No way should he go past 5th overall. He will probably go somewhere between 3-5.

[nickforthreee]

I think Randles ceiling is top 15 NBA player, which is pretty darn good for what could be the 4th-7th pick. Probably a multiple time all star. Zach Randolph is/was a top 20 player in the league and i see Randle as a quicker more explosive zach randolph with a better handle. Could be scary. If he can get his midrange game to where Z-Bo's is now then he a really bright future ahead of him. Probably would have to be the 2nd best player on a championship team though.

[supaflash]

Z-bo is bigger and longer, he was practically a center coming out. He also already had a nice stroke from outside and he finished inside much higher.

Randal is interesting, because he is still very young and he is quick for his size. He seems like a decently smart kid in interviews and he has shown some adjustment and improvement. He still is just very limited offensively. He does move well laterally on the perimeter on defense, he just doesn't get off the ground to challenge shots and get blocks, but he's not a bad defender. That's a plus for him in a more mobile NBA, but he will have trouble challenging the bigger longer PFs on both ends.

He has a huge flaw, he has no right at all, he ALWAYS finishes with the left, even when he drives right. He will struggle with that mightily at the pro level. He does have quickness and can potentially use that in a more open 1 on 1 NBA game, but he doesn't have outside game or post game to compliment that when defenders start keying on him. I think he may really struggle for a while.

Right now he reminds me a lot of DeJuan Blair and a young Anthony Mason. Mason really developed some skills that made him a really effective player, where Blair has been effective at times but struggled to gain a foothold.

Can he be better then that, yeah I think he has all the tools, but he needs a lot of work and adjustment imo and I'm not convinced yet he will get there soon.

[ChuckChilly]

Only flaw I see in his game so far is that he's ridiculously strong (left) hand dominant. With the array of go to moves he has, the degree of difficulty on them would be much lower if he could shoot with his off hand.