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Lakers: Julius Randle Makes History in Loss To Nuggets with Triple-Double

By Cody Williams

Feb 8, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lakers forward Julius Randle made history with his triple-double in the loss to Denver

Things were strange for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night as they took the floor at STAPLES Center against the Denver Nuggets. Not only is the atmosphere strange every time out as the end of Kobe Bryant’s career rapidly approaches, but there were numerous things that happened that made things even stranger as the night went on. Even still, second-year forward Julius Randle made history in the process.

On a night where rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell suffered a nasty sprained ankle in the first half and where the Nuggets essentially ran over the Lakers as a whole for most of the night, Randle served as the brightest star in LA. The second-year forward/pseudo-rookie put up 13 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists on the night, good for the first triple-double of his career.

If posting his first triple-double of his young career wasn’t good enough for the 21-year-old, he also made a bit of Lakers history with his stat-line as well. At 21 years old, Randle became the youngest Lakers player to post a triple-double since some guy named Magic Johnson did so back before he led the way to a few titles and historic seasons in Los Angeles:

Anytime that you’re joining Magic Johnson for a place in Lakers history, you might be doing something right.

Because of his inconsistency and the obvious flaws in his game as it’s not even close to being whole just yet, Randle has proved to be a divisive figure among Lakers fans at many times throughout the season. However, it’s games and outings like this where you can see the forward’s obvious potential and how he could be valuable to the future of the organization.

Next: WATCH: D'Angelo Russell Sprains Ankle in Loss to Nuggets

Again, the 21-year-old Randle that posted a triple-double on Friday night is far from the finished product as a player. He needs to develop his offensive game—like by, say, learning how to consistently shoot a jumper or score with his off hand—and his overall game as a whole. However, the potential and the tools for Randle to be an effective NBA big man are clearly there and showings like this only further prove that.

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