Julius Randle, Signs of Improvement (video)

The season has not yet started, yet, Julius Randle is showing signs of improvement.  Coach Scott had called him out.  He wanted to see better effort.  He thought Randle looked a bit lost on the floor, that the game was too fast for him.

"Scott has challenged Randle through the exhibition season — playing him less than 11 minutes in the team’s previous game against the Jazz — while calling for a more consistent effort from the Kentucky product. – Eric Pincus, Los Angeles Times"

Through the first couple of preseason games, Julius Randle has struggled on the defensive end.  He got into a bit of foul trouble.  While he was doing a great job rebounding, he did little to provide protection at the rim.  The last game against the Utah Jazz proved he has the ability.  He blocked two shots on dribble penetration.

[via Dawk Ins, YouTube]

Part of team defense is knowing the situation and reacting properly to it.  The first play of the video shows Rudy Gobert, a non-threat from the perimeter, behind the free throw line.  Julius Randle recognized dribble penetration after a pick-and-roll, rotated properly, and blocked the shot.

The second play shows him knocking down a 19′ jumpshot, something that had been inconsistent all summer throughout the Vegas Pro League, and early into the preseason.

The third play at the 0:22 mark, shows how the jump shot set up the drive.  The slight up-fake and crossover got his defender off-balance.  He was able to attack the basket for a shot at the rim.

At the 0:33 mark, the jumpshot starts looking good.

At the 0:40 mark, Kanter defended Randle.  Randle hesitated a bit, but still hit an elbow-corner jumpshot over Kanter.

Lastly, on a Utah drive-and-dish situation, both Ed Davis and Julius Randle paired up to challenge Rudy Gobert at the rim.  Keep in mind, Gobert is over 7’1″ with a 7’9″ wingspan  Both players blocked the shot cleanly.

The game was Julius Randle’s best effort to date.  He played more effectively beside Ed Davis on both ends of the floor.  He is used to playing next to centers with shot-blocking skills and a great motor.  He was paired up with Willie Cauley-Stein last season.

It took over two months to show signs of consistency from the mid-range area.  As long as he keeps putting in the effort on both ends, his playing time will increase.

What do you think of Randle’s improvement?  Are you impressed it was done within a short time?  Do you think he lacks effort on the floor?

Please leave comments below.