How Julius is seeing his shooting situation these days. http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160928-julius-randle
I attended the Dallas game last year, (2nd or 3rd game of the year) and Randle was only hitting like average of 4/10 3s pregame. He may not be draymond yet, but he's looking at least 2x as good as this time last year.
this was my point. again, though, i want to believe. when blake griffin developed a midrange shot, it really opened things up for him. until it left him and they blew that houston series...
I thought he improved last night myself. He struggled early with TO's and look erratic, but I thought he got better as the game went along. Rebounding, pushing, and creating opportunities in transition is where I can see him shining this season. It requires a long of energy, though. Somebody on another compared forum was comparing his style of play to Russell Westbrook at the PF position and likened him and said that's the style of play he can play this year to be successful, and I can totally see that...push, push, push. Impose your will on them, Julius.
He still needs to find his place on the half court set and still needs to stay under control. He's overthinking it.
Where's sirron!! we need a gif or maybe even better a slight slo motion clip of Julius against Denver with that smooth high speed finish with his right hand please. Tomorrow noon OK? Couple days later you could do him looking happy at his right hand to show everyone immediately after that slick finish. :Headbang:
Interesting take. I saw his play yesterday differently but I haven't watched the game on TV yet. To start the game he looked roughly the same as last game (which was the same as last year), but I agree with you that he did a nice job of leading fast breaks and passing. I'm still not sure if he should be a starter. I like Nance a lot better but Nance also fits well with the 2nd unit. Luke has some tough choices to make. I'd like to see him mix the starters up - we need to see how Russell and Clarkson play together, how Nance plays with the starters, how Randle plays with the Bench, how Lou looks with the 2nd unit, etc.
Randle looks great when he rebounds the ball and pushes. A little out of control and his decision making can be better and quicker but he's at his best here. It's when you have him in half court sets that he looks a little lost.
The PF situation is a bit tricky. Julius does have his limitations, but I don't think Nance is starter material either. It seems to me like they're both better served as a spark off the bench. Nance probably fits better with Black though, so I'd stick with Julius as a starter for now.
So... here is a Luke interview. There is, on the right top, Randle in the background, swishing everything. http://www.nba.com/lakers/video/teams/lakers/2016/10/08/1475966337303-161008luke-walton-838855
I agree, he looked a lot better to me last game than the first. Loved his rebound and pushing up the court. He really can't be stopped when he's doing that. And he gets guys good looks with sharp passes that way as well as potentially going coast to coast himself. Julius is fun to watch when he's in action and not lost.
The best angle for the play, though don't know now if it's workable as a gif, as l was going off memory, is the replay at 9:00 in the highlight reel. Great to see Julius do that. You should watch all the highlights anyway. Russell and Clarkson were burning the nets and floor up out there. http://lakersball.com/media/october-7-2016-nuggets-vs-lakers-team-highlights.600/media And doesn't look like him waving his right hand afterwards is pronounced enough or clear enough.
Tonight's game highlighted my point earlier. Nance is not starter material. Not nearly as talented as Julius. Julius is so versatile with his rebounding, playmaking, ball-handling, iso scoring, and ability to push the basket. There's still some preseason games left, but I'm sticking with the BEAST as the starting PF for the season-opener.
He had some plays in the 2nd half that we're very good...that drop off pass to Zubac in mid-air was gorgeous. The shot he took in transition against two nuggets on a bad angle was really difficult shot, but he made it. He seems more patient and willing to take what the defense gives him without forcing anything...
I like what I'm hearing for the most part. Definitely has the advantage in several areas going up against/driving on PFs. Gonna have to hit those Js/3s or be drawing a cool amount of fouls to become great with a capital g.
