Lake Show Life
Fansided

5 Determining Factors for Lakers’ Julius Randle’s Future

By Hannah Kulik

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next

October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts with forward Julius Randle (30) after a foul is drawn against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Can He Handle the Pressure of Being Anointed the Future Face of the Franchise?

The Lakers franchise is all about stars. At first it was Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain. Then it was Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and James Worthy. Eventually the mantle was passed to Shaq and Kobe, and later to Kobe and Pau. Now, Bryant is on his last legs and there is no other star on the team or on the horizon. Perhaps for that reason, when Randle was drafted with the highest draft choice exercised by the Lakers in decades, it was immediately announced that Bryant would pass the baton to Randle who would become the face of the franchise. That is a lot to live up to. Randle is going to feel a lot of pressure, especially if he does not get off to a fast start next season. Hopefully he will be able to handle the pressure and develop into a solid NBA player.

-== 5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency ==-

Notice how I said “solid NBA player.”  Whether Randle will develop into something more – a star player — is speculative at best. As the foregoing questions infer, Randle needs to work on his shooting, rebounding, and defense, which means he does not stand out in any important category at this point of his young career. Since he does not seem to excel in any one area of the game, it is hard to imagine that he will become the next Lakers legend. Still, if he can stay healthy, develop a strong mid-range jump shot, and play with passion and energy on defense, he could emerge as a strong contributor on an improved Lakers’ squad.

Next: 5 Reasons Steve Nash Should Join Lakers' Coaching Staff

More from Lake Show Life

Home/Lakers News