Lakers Training Camp: Six Things to Watch
By Hannah Kulik
Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D
2. Are D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle NBA-Ready?
The future of the Lakers franchise is in the hands of D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. Organizations have to build through the draft in today’s NBA game. They can no longer rely on wrestling free agents away from more lucrative opportunities with their current teams.
Russell and Randle are the highest selections the Lakers have had in the draft since they selected James Worthy No. 1 overall in 1982. The team passed on other favorable options with their selections, most notably when the organization chose Russell over big man Jahlil Okafor this summer.
In a nutshell, the Lakers cannot afford to strike out with these two young men. It is not enough that they become pretty good. They must excel if the Lakers are going to become competitive again, but neither man looked good in Summer League.
Randle could use the excuse he had not played competitive basketball in a year. Still, he was out of control and looked like the same raw player Laker fans saw the summer before. Russell was an even bigger disappointment. He appeared to be slow, tentative, and unprepared to step into the role of a starting point guard in the NBA.
Russell and Randle need to get off to a strong start in training camp. They must emerge as future leaders and erase doubts about whether the team made a mistake selecting them. If Russell and Randle start slowly, there’s a chance they lose their confidence early, and the season could implode.
Next: Will Kobe Bryant Fit In or Stand Out?