Lakers: Who will be next go-to guy?
The Los Angeles Lakers have a void left by Kobe Bryant, searching for the next face of the franchise. Is that player on the current roster?
Since Kobe Bryant’s epic 60-point finale last April, fans of the Lakers have encountered unfamiliar territory. For as long as most can remember, the Lakers have had that go-to guy. However, now it is unclear who will be the next face of the franchise. After consecutive lottery selections, fans hoped there would be a decisive leader by now. Luckily, there is no lack of prospects.
Julius Randle, the No. 7 pick of the 2014 NBA draft, had quite an impressive game against the Hornets on Tuesday, stuffing the stat sheet with 23 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. Head coach Luke Walton called it “his most consistent effort of the season,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. He followed that with a triple-double on March 7 against the Mavericks. With his third triple-double of the season, Randle became the youngest player in Lakers history to record three triple-doubles in a season.
The question is can Randle remain consistent enough to emerge as the leader of the team? Or, will it be the guy many expected it to be, D’Angelo Russell?
Russell has been impressive since the departure of Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets. He posted 29 points and six assists against Oklahoma City, then 23 points and nine assists against Charlotte. Most recently, he scored 22 points to go along with four assists and four steals in Tuesday’s loss to Dallas.
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Many fans hoped Russell would be putting up these numbers consistently since he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2015. Can he get off the rollercoaster and begin to have more ups than downs?
There are also other players on the Lakers who probably haven’t reached their ceilings yet, including Brandon Ingram, who was drafted 2nd overall in 2016, and 6th man Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson is an exciting slasher who can create his own shot and is also a great distributor when given the opportunity. If Clarkson takes Nick Young’s spot in the starting lineup and continues to improve, he could certainly end up being a star on this squad.
Next: No need to rush D'Angelo Russell
Of course, a lot could change this summer, with the draft, potential trades, or potential free agent signings. With the Lakers being a young team on the rise, someone will emerge as that “go-to guy” that Kobe Bryant was for so long.
And that guy will have big shoes to fill.