Julius Randle Has Short Arms?
By Mike Garcia
Dec 28, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Russ Smith (2) dunks against Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Louisville 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
The article shows Russ Smith powering up for a poster dunk on Randle. Russ Smith is a 6′ point guard with elite NBA-level explosiveness and quickness. Name an elite NBA defender in the paint that hasn’t been posterized.
There are free agents that have gone undrafted with wingspans up to 7’4″, play different positions, and still haven’t been called up by the NBA, because they aren’t effective with their physical tools.
If anything, I would argue that Willie Cauley-Stein didn’t hedge the pick-and-roll situation tightly, and that allowed Russ Smith to split the double team, instead of taking a wider lane to the basket. Cauley-Stein is a great defender at the NCAA level, but plays like that happen. That isn’t Julius Randle’s fault. Honestly, I’m proud he actually contested it.
So, he may not be an elite shotblocker at the NBA level. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a cornerstone franchise player just like Kevin Love and Blake Griffin before him.
He’s worth the draft choice. He would make any GM happy. The Lakers, would be a much stronger team with him.