Julius Randle Discussion: Beast, Ox, Monster, Lotus Flower

Although Love is great from outside, he does prefer to play inside, which is where he is most effective. Cleveland is using him as a "stretch four" and he isn't nearly the player he was in Minny. Which is honestly fine if we do have a WCS/Towns who aren't the currently the most polished inside scorers, yet, and they are there to clean up the offensive boards.

It'll be a crowded paint, but that's a problem I'd LIKE to have. Randle/Love/Towns(WCS)? Yes.

 

Love, by advanced stats is most efficient on the left block playing the triple threat; his ability to space the floor with his shooting ability is what makes him unique. He could still be an elite player with the right pieces, IMO.

 

Elaborate? Are you saying because he hits the left corner three at the highest clip, that's where he's most effective?

Stats can only say so much, because he's a much more effective player inside because of how much of a good rebounder he is, especially on the offensive board. His rebounding numbers have dropped since joining the Cavs and is averaging 2 less offensive boards than his best years. Additionally, his FG% has dipped a bit as well. You would think playing with someone like Lebron being the almighty distributor he is, to be higher.

 

I think fit and touches are important to him too. Cleveland's offensive philosophy is deeply flawed in terms of utilizing players.

Being a second option and 1st when Kobe is out is much more appealing than being the forgotten man in Cleveland. At best he's 3rd option there, sometimes 4th.

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/a-move-to-cleveland-and-a-return-to-the-block-for-kevin-love/

A long article but goes into detail about Love...

 

I did a quick read through, but from what I got from it was that he (also note this was written before the season started)

- he added a 3 point shot
- he was really effective inside, but started to shoot outside more
- he is a really good offensive rebounder
- lebron should make love better

The most obvious piece of that article is which I just stated above:

So in essence, what you're saying is true. Since Love has moved his game outside, he's been more effective on that left corner three. It could be said that this is a product of Rubio coming back his last year in Minny, running way too much pick and pop. Furthermore, as time has already shown, he's not nearly the all-star player he was when he was playing inside. Not the same rebounder, not the same efficiency. And that's what he has eluded to this year on his role, that he's not just a "stretch four", but rather play inside.

 

He's answering questions now:

http://t.co/PzA6yrhwdy

 

Shooting Corner 3's

 

Ooh that boy is going to be dirty. Pump fake that corner three, dribble drive, SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM DUNK!

 

And he still have 6 months left to think of new ways to improve.

 

He's planning on working out with Kobe. I bet Clarkson and possibly others join if they are serious and can take Kobe's heat.

 

This is the kind of elevation I want to see from Randle. It shows me two things: 1.) He's in shape (Summer league he was not getting this kind of elevation) 2.) Major progress on the foot and fracture.

Two big things I want from him this offseason: 1.) Nash to perfect Randle's mid-range J and 2.) Kobe to show him what kind of conditioning he needs for the season.

Current skillset + Mid-range J + Conditioned = Monster

 

Transcript of Randle's chat:

http://www.nba.com/lakers/150402_lakersvoices_randle?cid=tw

Sounds like Kobe's been a great big brother for him.

Why is he watching Antonio Walker video?! Please, no!