Lakers Debate: Better Young Frontcourt, Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves?
Power Forward: Julius Randle vs. Gorgui Dieng
This position is made interesting by the fact that Gorgui Dieng is not really a true power forward at all. A promising young center, Dieng has been pushed to the four by the emergence of one of the league’s most impressive young players, Karl-Anthony Towns. He is also a bit older than most of the players on this list, but was included because of having only played three seasons in the NBA.
Because of these facts, it is a bit difficult to compare Julius Randle and Dieng as young power forwards. For the purposes of this piece, they will be compared based on their merits alone, rather than how well they fit into the role of a power forward.
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In three seasons in the league, Gorgui Dieng has proven to be a reliable presence in the paint. An athletic big man who is able to protect the rim, finish down low, and act as a threat from the mid-range, Dieng has grown into a well-rounded role player. In the versatile seven-footer the Wolves look to have found a long-term starter at the position.
Randle, however, has shown the potential to be even more than that. While his development has been stunted by a injury that cost him his first season, Randle came back strong. Along the way to turning in an underrated first season, Randle averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds.
His unique combination of strength, agility, and straight line speed make him difficult for opposing players to guard, despite his currently limited arsenal of moves. Julius Randle has also shown potential as a playmaker, as his ball handling skills and vision are quite advanced for his position.
While he will need to develop a jump shot and improve on the defensive end in order to become a true star, Randle has already outproduced his counterpart in Minnesota. Despite being nearly six years young than Dieng, Randle averaged more points, rebounds, and assists in his rookie season than Dieng did in his third.
His struggles with efficiency are a mark against him, but much of that can be attributed to Byron Scott’s iso-heavy system. Ultimately, a combination of upside and NBA production makes this one a fairly easy call in Randle’s favor.
Winner: Lakers
Next: Ivica Zubac vs. Karl-Anthony Towns