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Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle offers advice to Lonzo Ball

By JC Ansis

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers guards Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on March 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers guards Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on March 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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There’s just a lot of excitement revolving around the 2017-18 season of the young Los Angeles Lakers.

The superb play of Lonzo Ball, the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick in the recent NBA draft, in the Summer League got fans and basketball pundits giddy about the future of the purple and gold franchise. The hype surrounding Ball has even led to the Lakers’ season tickets being sold out real quick.

Ball averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per outing in the Summer League to lead the Lakers to the championship game. Though he was unable to play in the final game, Ball was named Summer League MVP award to become the first player in Lakers history to win the award.

Julius Randle, who is set to start alongside Ball this season, is extremely aware how well Ball can affect a game with his playmaking and passing abilities.

"“As far as Lonzo, he looked great. Everybody’s saying it but I can’t say it enough, you know, he makes the game easier for everybody. At the point guard position, you obviously can get your shot whenever you want to, but he’s always looking to make the easy play, the right play for other players and get them going and it works for him as well,” Randle said on Lakers Talk with Allen Sliwa on ESPN LA 710.“So, you know, it’s a contagious way he plays and I think it’s going to be great for our team.”"

The Lakers could potentially become a better team with Ball running the show and orchestrating the offense. And even if Ball has proven he is worthy as the second overall pick, a lot of people still have negative things to say about him.

Randle, though, offered some advice to the rookie on how to handle the criticisms.

"“Just lock in. Everybody’s going to have an opinion, everybody’s going to have advice or say what he should do or what he shouldn’t, but, I would say the biggest thing is to stay close to coach. He’s got to be an extension of him on the floor,” said Randle.“You know, just to stay locked in on what he’s got to do to get better. Just stay in the gym, watch film or whatever it is. You do that and block all the outside noise, he’ll be fine,” he added."

Randle floated around, along with Jordan Clarkson, in several trade rumors over the past months. His name was included in several trade scenarios involving the Lakers acquiring Paul George, but the former Pacers All-Star eventually landed on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It wasn’t quite a home-run offseason for the Lakers, but the team landed a few decent pieces so far — Brook Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tyler Ennis.

The former Kentucky standout also said in the interview all that off-court noise is something he can’t control, and that he’d rather focus on working on his game and getting prepared for next season.

Over the summer, Randle has been busy getting his body in shape for the upcoming NBA season with the help of his personal trainer Amolia Cesar.

The fourth-year forward has immensely improved his conditioning, which many people witnessed in some of his games in the Drew League. Randle was recently named Player of the Week after posting a double-double of 28 points and 18 rebounds in a must-win game for his team M.H.P.

From weighing 258 pounds and a 13-percent body fat count, Randle now weighs 243 pounds with 6-percent body fat, according to a report from the Los Angeles Daily News.

The Lakers forward averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season, but with his improved conditioning program he expects to have a better year and a jump in his stats.

Next: 5 Takeaways from Las Vegas Summer League

Though Randle is eligible for an extension up to mid-October, the Lakers are likely to refrain from giving him a new deal so they can maintain flexibility in salary cap for next summer when stars like George and LeBron James become free agents.

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