Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle’s tortuous path to establish himself
Julius Randle has recently emerged as the true driving force behind Los Angeles Lakers’ resurgence. Yet, there were times when his talent and role in the team were questioned.
It has never been easy for Los Angeles Lakers big man Julius Randle.
After leading Kentucky to the NCAA national championship game with a double-double season, he fell to No. 7 in a not particularly talented 2014 NBA Draft. He was getting by-passed because of some concerns raised by a past foot injury.
He landed in L.A. as the 7th pick, supposed to be the new blood that would help reinvigorate the Lakers dynasty and helped transition through Kobe Bryant’s sunset providing talent for the near Kobe-less future.
Fate, however, was lying in wait. In his NBA debut, Randle broke his leg in a freak accident with six minutes remaining in the game, kicking and breaking its own leg. The diagnosis was a broken tibia, an injury that would require a surgery and put an end to his season.
Not the way an athlete dreams to start his career.
Patience was the most predicated advice from teammates and opponents, especially Kobe Bryant, just back himself from two season-ending injuries.
It is tough enough for a youngster to get their footing in the league with the highest level of play in the world. As a rookie, you just want to go out and play the sport you love, show the world that you belong and push forward to discover your limits. You are not thinking of long-term or thinking of taking care of your body.
Los Angeles Lakers
Unfortunately, that is exactly the lesson Julius had to learn that season, and what his mind had to go through might be really challenging (as the growing impatience inching closer to his Summer League debut proved).
During this healing time he was provided with ways to keep his mind engaged. The general manager at the time, Mitch Kupchak, instructed the young forward to write regular reports of team’s games. It forced Randle to refine his basketball skills, if not on a physical plane, at least on a mental one.
Taking advantage of the year he was forced to miss, Lakers’ medical staff also opted for a minor surgery to replace the screw left in his right foot from a high school injury and eliminate any chance of future issues.
Finally cleared to play, Randle took his role of starting power forward for the struggling Lakers in 2016. In his de facto rookie season, he averaged a double-double, showing the promise that made them so excited to find him available at No. 7.
Despite his good production, though, in mid-December head coach Byron Scott decided to bench him and teammate D’Angelo Russell. Scott cited the need to shake things up after a disastrous 3-17 start and find a lineup which could “work well together”.
The reaction was pretty obvious for a young player who had been a starter his whole life. “You’re never going to be thrilled about it as a competitor… I don’t know, man. It’s not my decision,” as he declared.
Following the demotion, he immediately responded with two convincing performances. Randle kept his production up until he regained his starting spot for the rest of the season.
In the summer of 2016, Luke Walton was installed as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was expected to bring the Golden State Warriors’ playing style to L.A. and improve the fate of the purple and gold.
Within the new system, Julius got assigned to a Draymond Green kind of role, maybe a little bit of a stretch for him.
He was green-lighted to bring the ball up the floor and act as a facilitator for his teammates. Although he doubled his assist average and had some triple-doubles in the season, it did not look like the best-suited role for the bullying power forward.
Midway through the season, another change in Lakers’ personnel brought another wave of change in the franchise. Magic Johnson took over as team president of basketball operations. He did not waste time, declaring at the start of the offseason that whoever would have shown up over eight percent body fat in training camp would have “not seen the court.”
Randle worked his tail off the whole summer with impressive results (documented by some Instagram photos of his body transformation) coming into training camp in the best shape of his life.
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Sadly, it was not enough for the ever-changing Lakers. After the preseason Walton elected Larry Nance Jr. to start at power forward, relegating the former Wildcat to the bench and the umpteenth new role. The backup center.
At this point of his young career, with another starting job lost, it was obvious to get the feeling of unfulfilled expectations and that he would have probably never lived up to the promise he brought with himself from college
Howsoever, the young big man did not let adversities affect his approach to the game, instead, he continued working without ever complaining.
He thrived in this new role of enforcer off the bench in small lineups. With patience and consistency, he fought his way back into the starting lineup. The work put in during the summer was showing results and Julius’s performances did not go unnoticed, earning him his old spot.
From that moment his season has taken off. Julius has been putting on some All-Star caliber numbers since he was reinstalled as the starting power forward. He helped get the Lakers back on track and play competitively, undoubtedly being the most valuable player for the team in this three-month run. He currently leads the team in Win Shares, per Basketball-Reference.
While considered early in the season an expendable piece, if not already gone, to be sacrificed for a greater good (cap space to sign superstars), Julius has helped his cause with his performances. Doubt has been raised now on whether letting him go or signing him to a new contract.
The dilemma will give the L.A. front office a hard time this summer. Fortunately for Magic Johnson, they will have the upper hand, with the 23-year-old set to be a restricted free agent.
Throughout his short career, Randle has navigated through many different situations and roles, whether he liked them or not. From lottery pick to missing his first season, from double-double machine to triple-double threat to backup center, most of the time they have tried to force him into what he is not.
Nevertheless, he has stayed professional and adapted pretty well to every role assigned.
As proven by his recent production, though, letting him play his way is probably what will allow him to reach his full potential. As of now, the 6’9″ forward is a consistent jumper away from becoming a potential All-Star. It is quite a turn for a player not even supposed to be in L.A. by the end of the season.
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It has never been easy for Randle, but perhaps all the struggles and adversities are what has molded him into the player he is today. Having him in a purple and gold uniform for four-five more years is not going to be so bad, should the Lakers miss on their free agent targets.