You are 100% right @lakerjones, but I do like that the kids are at least trying to hold each other accountable since Magic came on board. It's a start to a new team culture.
I'm not disagreeing. I just think if you weren't impressed by last night's game (and looks like the majority of posters in here weren't really) then I don't think there's much he could do at this stage to get fans back. I will be the first to say he needs consistent effort and his activity last night in man-defense situations was the best it's been since maybe ever, but still how does 23/18/6 not get you some encouragement?
Maybe so. It sounds hypocritical the way it was posted. All of our young guys have had some outstanding games thus far. None of them have been nearly consistent though. This goes for every single one of them. I'd argue that Randle has shown the most consistent progress of the three non rookies. But that's not saying much. These guys are young. They all have a lot of potential. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do the rest of this year, but even more so next season.
I don't think Randle's inconsistency is a matter of effort. I think it's just a natural outcome of his play style that emphasizes bully ball over skilled offense. Sometimes defenses aren't going to give him those opportunities or his unorthodox attacks at the rim where he seemingly just throws the ball up isn't going to work.
I would define a "dynamic" player as a highly active/energetic player that makes a difference in multiple facets of the game. Someone like Westbrook. As for KB24's reference of potential, it really depends on what type of player you prefer. If I were to predict a career night for DLO and Julius it would be something like... DLO - 50/5/10/3 Julius - 30/20/10/3/3 (not too far off from last night) Both are equally as impressive imo.
Well sure. That's why I said 10/14 isn't something I expect him to be able to repeat regularly. But he could always do more on the glass and defensively. I think that's the major area where his effort wanes.
For some reason I don't think this is the first time he's been told this... No... No I'm pretty sure the strength and conditioning coach has told these kids this since just about day one.
There was a time when 24 in his early years lived on junk food like McDonalds and all that. Then again...24 wanted to destroy everyone on the floor so it didn't matter.
Yeah, but when Kobe was JR's age, he was only a three-time all star averaging 29-6-5. WTF would he know?
It's a natural progression as a person let alone athlete to eat healthier as you get older and that fountain of energy slowly drains. I always get a chuckle out of kids who finally catch on though and for Julius he clearly doesn't have the same type of stamina as the little fellas. If he can get his stamina in check, it'll help his game quite a bit.
What bothered me about his game last night wasn't the lack of efficiency it was that he didn't impact the game defensively again. I mean... nobody did. But still.
I understand the numbers bounce back and forth but I am an effort guy. Depending on match ups and the way the ball gets rotated numbers can be drastically different. I want to see consistent effort and improving defense. I don't see consistency in how we guard baseline or pick n rolls or any part of defense from a positive note. I want to see our best defensive unit start. If we can't score then so be it. Our team culture needs to be about effort and defense. Players that won't buy into that need to go. Our defense is painful to watch.
We need a strong minded leader and veteran star that rips these guys a new one on a daily basis in practice and in games and can back it up with their own effort and skill I miss you Kobe!
