I like the Larry Johnson comp personally. Julius has taken a big step forward defensively, but he's not Draymond just yet. He's also not a shooter like Draymond (I wish he'd take more threes!). He's also bigger, stronger, and faster than Draymond. Heck he's a LOT more talented than Draymond, just not as savvy.
Yeah Draymond is also a better playmaker. They have different strengths but similar roles for their teams, whereas Zbo is just totally different.
Agreed. I think the Randolph comparison was decent coming into the draft because Kentucky used him on the block in college, but as a pro they don't look alike much at all.
Randle is more dynamic and loves to dish out punishment. He has ways to go replicating Randolph's "old man game" with that touch and finesse.
Z-Bo likes to or knows he can fight and has been quoted as saying he's "good with his hands". Randle going up for a shot is good with his (off) forearms and elbows. Every single game. Then walks away like he doesn't even know the guy is on the ground holding his nose or mouth and checking his teeth.
I like Luke's progress with this team and hope he can continue coaching out his contract, assuming progress
Didnt meant to hi jack this thread with the Z-Bo talk. But I'll say this - Bullying people down low is Randle's best asset right now, in my opinion. It's Randolph's as well. Randle is more athletic and his handle is above average for a forward (LeBron and Draymond have guard level handle); while Z-Bo has a better shooting touch. But both are at their best as bully-ballers down low. To me, that's how they're similar. By saying he's 2.0 I wasn't saying he's the same player as Z-Bo, but rather an evolution of Randolph. I do like like the Larry Johnson comparison as well, especially in terms of strength and explosiveness. But I don't see the Draymond and certainly not the LeBron projections for Randle. Randle is a big. Draymond is the ball handler for a team that has Curry, Durant, and Iguodala. Not to mention a team that went 73-9 the year before. That's how good he is in his role. Randle was the ball handler for one of the worst Laker teams in history. When Ingram developed confidence and as we drafted Lonzo and Hart, Randle was relieved of his duties. I don't think he's that guy.
Great post. I have to disagree though in that I see a of lot the Draymond Green role in Randle this year not offensively but defensively. He's absolutely our best switching big on D. That's the Green role that Randle has emulated with the help of Luke and it's been a big eye opener for me. His defense has improved enormously. It's one of the reasons I salivate over the idea of adding Lebron and PG but keeping Randle to play starting small ball 5 with some minutes at 4 as well. I wish he could shoot from distance like Draymond but I'm pleased to see that he's improving his mid-range shot much like Blake Griffin did over time.
I agree @lakerjones and @tada, regarding Randle being a good switching big. I'll walk back my statement for lack of a Draymond comp, because they are starting to have that in common. I'm happily corrected with that, bc I think Randle has been great overall. Just to clarify lol
Interesting stat that I never would have considered even though I've always admired our length we have on that side of the ball. A little surprised the Bucks aren't higher on that list. They always love talking about how that team was put together so they have length at everything position.
There seems to be a stat for everything lol. The question is how its measured and how accurate it is.