Julius Randle is Best Rebounder of Lottery Picks
Even as pre-season has yet to reach its halfway point, the 2014 lottery picks are creating their own identity as they play 20+ minutes against NBA competition. For all involved, it has been a learning experience and a sobering introduction into the NBA world where the smallest mistakes have the largest consequences. Developing a college player into a extraordinary NBA player takes time and patience and the right combination of coaching and mentorship.
Oct 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Justin Holiday (7) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
But already there are trends. Jabari Parker plays a lot of minutes. Julius Randle is the best rebounder. And Elfrid Payton is surprising everyone with his point guard skills. None of this translates to the regular season when the intensity and chaos elevates but it is a glimpse at 19 and 20 year olds who were evaluated as talented enough to play in the NBA. The dream was the draft in June. This is the reality.
Not surprisingly, the top three players in college basketball last year are the top three scorers among the lottery picks. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 14.5 points a game. Jabari Parker is averaging 12 points a game. And Julius Randle is averaging 11 points a game.
Where Julius Randle distinguishes himself among his fellow lottery picks is in rebounding. He is averaging 7.5 rebounds a game while playing the second fewest minutes (22) of the lottery picks. Chicago Bulls small forward Doug McDermott is averaging 5.6 rebounds. And high flying, hyper athletic Aaron Gordon is averaging 5.5 rebounds a game for Orlando.
Jabari Parker leads all lottery picks in minutes. He plays 31 minutes a game. Andrew Wiggins plays 30.5 minutes a game. Doug McDermott averages 30 minutes a game.
Nik Stauskas, the guard from Michigan, who stirred up a controversy last week by saying NBA players were going to go after him because he was white, is making 55% of his shots. Aaron Gordon is making 50%. Julius Randle has a 43% field goal percentage, the same as Andrew Wiggins.
The youngest of the lottery picks, Dante Exum, became a cult figure pre-draft because no one had ever seen him play. He created a mythology before he created substance. Lakers fans saw Exum as a player for the future. But he is fulfilling all of the scouts predictions who considered the 18 year old a project. He is averaging 5 points and 1.5 assists while playing 25 minutes a game.
Another draft target of the Lakers who had a good workout was Marcus Smart. He was drafted ahead of the Lakers by the Boston Celtics and will get plenty of time to develop since Rajon Rondo is injured. Smart has played in 4 exhibition games. He is averaging 7 points and 5 assists.
The lottery picks have another two weeks to continue to grow before the season begins on October 28. If NBA history remains true to form, some lottery picks will become All-Stars. A few will suffer injuries. Others will be ordinary NBA players who have decent careers that end in four or five years.
Byron Scott believes Julius Randle will be one of two things. If he has a committed work ethic, he will an All-Star. Or, he will be just a good NBA player who had a nice career.