Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Julius Randle (Kentucky) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
When he was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft, there was optimism that Julius Randle would be a great NBA player who would make an immediate mark on a Lakers team in desperate need of a new star. He showed up for the summer league a bit out of shape, and as a result it allowed fellow rookie Jordan Clarkson to steal the spotlight and garner most of the attention. When training camp opened, Randle started slowly but improved as the season approached. By opening game he was ready to play and it appeared he would get the opportunity. In a tragic turn of events, he broke his leg in the first game and his season was over.
-== 5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency ==-
Randle played only one year of college basketball at the University of Kentucky. Aside from the promise he showed during that season, he has no body of work from which we can meaningfully evaluate his talent and potential. Still, based on last year’s summer league and training camp, a few themes emerged. There are five questions Randle must answer before we can accurately judge his likely future as an NBA player.
1. Can He Stay Healthy?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether Randle can stay healthy. He has a pin in his foot from an injury suffered in college. Then he broke his leg in his first regular season NBA game. No matter how skilled he may be, it does no good if he is always injured.
History shows that some very talented players just could not stay healthy and it derailed their careers. Greg Oden is an obvious example. A less obvious example closer to home is former Laker player Xavier Henry, who appeared to have a lot of potential but whose career has been marred by one injury after another. Randle has to prove he can stay on the court.
Next: Is Size An Issue?
October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) moves to the basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. Is He Too Small To Play Power Forward?
When Randle was drafted it was reported that he was 6’9” tall. In reality, he is probably around 6’7.” He is built like a power forward. He plays like a power forward. But is he big enough to guard true power forwards like Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Dirk Nowitzki?
-== 5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency ==-
It also appears he lost a lot of weight over the season and is much thinner now. If it turns out he can’t compete physically with the top power forwards in the NBA, he may have to try his hand at small forward. My guess is that is where he will end up, which leads to yet another question about whether he is fast and nimble enough to play the wing.
Next: Can Randle Change His Game
Apr 4, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle during practice before the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
3. Can He Develop An Effective Mid-Range Jumper?
Because Randle is not as big as a prototype power forward, he will have to develop a deadly mid-range shot to be effective. He may have trouble scoring inside, and he will have to find a way to keep the other team’s power forward away from the basket.
-== 5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency ==-
When he joined the Lakers it did not appear Randle had that shot. From day one, in videos showing his workouts last year and recently, it looks like Randle has been working alot on his outside shot. We will get a chance this summer and fall to see if he can hit those shots in a real game environment.
Next: Defense Wins Championships
Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) post up against Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) in the first half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
4. Can He Play Defense?
Randle is not likely to contend for any scoring titles so to maximize his value, he will have to become a lock-down defender. In his brief showcase last year, he did not demonstrate great defensive prowess.
-== 5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency ==-
Yet the sampling was small so the jury is still out. Defense is all about effort and desire. The Lakers have been terrible on defense the past few years. He is not tall enough to be a rim protector, but hopefully Randle will develop into a good individual and team defender. If so, he will greatly increase his value.
Next: Can Randle Be A Franchise Player?
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
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