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

Do you think Randle will best these numbers:
Career 16/10 on 52% shooting
Two-time all-star
All-Nba third team
14000 career points
8000 rebounds
Closing in on 2000 assists
61st all-time in boards
158th all-time in points
Career year: 21/12 on 56% shooting

 

26 players in NBA history with 15.5/9.5 in 800 games.

Just saying.

 

I would not mind at all if Randle became Boozer with decent defense.

 

Well it's one thing to look at the overall achievements for Randle, but their games are not very similar. That's my point. If Randle is as successful as Boozer in his own way, then that's a different story.

 

How aren't they similar?

Randle vs. Boozer (Out of College)
6'7.75" vs. 6'7.75"
6'9" with shoes vs. 6'9.5"
250 # vs. 258 #
7' wingspan vs. 7'2.25"
8'9.5" standing reach vs. 9'0.5"
9.4% Body Fat vs. n/a
29.0 No Step Vert vs. 26.5
35.5 Max Vert vs. 28.5
-Randle has a significantly better max vert and a better No step vert. Boozer is a bit longer.

Randle in college
30.8 MPG vs. 23.7 MPG (Frosh stats)
50.1% FGs vs. 61.4%
15.0 PPG vs. 13.0
1.4 APG vs. 1.1
10.4 RPG vs. 6.3
0.5 SPG vs. 0.7
0.8 BPG vs. 1.1
Randle played more minutes. Their per 40 stats are eerily similar except Boozer scored noticeably better as a frosh and Randle rebounded far better. Boozer turned it over less frequently. Boozer was a noticeably better FT shooter. He never took threes.

Check out Booz in college...
[youtube]

Scouting Report
Boozer
vs.
Randle

STRENGTH #1: Strong bodies
Strengths: Physically he has a NBA ready body capable of taking the pounding of a NBA 82 game schedule
vs.
Strengths: Very strong upper body and a reliable left hand


S#2: Skilled, Creative Scorer
Uses a variety of ways to score in the post as he owns a nice turnaround jumper, short hook, and a up and under move.
vs.
He is very skilled with his face up game and has shown some creative finishing ability ...

S#3: Good Rebounding
Slightly above average as a rebounder as he get a lot of boards by using his body to box-out and he is very mobile
vs.
On the offensive boards he is an absolute beast, relentless in seeking out rebounds ... The same thing is true on the defensive end where he has natural instincts for rebounds.

S#4: Mobile, Finisher
Runs the court well, has no problem running the fast break where he is a strong finisher in transition
vs.
He shows a strong motor, and finishes well around the rim with contact

S#5: Jumper Range
Decent shooter when his feet are set as he can hit the jumper from 18 feet out AND Has 3-point range on his shot but is still developing that part of his game
Vs.
He is very dangerous on P&R and Pick and Pop, because of his ability to hit mid-range jumpers

S#6: Good Character Indications
Team player as has played out of position at center which has hindered some of his development
vs.
He has drawn positive reviews for his attitude and coach-ability and appears to be a hard working kid that leaves everything on the floor every game and every practice

S#7: Effective Use of Body/Frame to compensate for size
Sets himself well on the blocks as he knows how to use his body to gain good position
vs.
Though he lacks elite explosiveness, he is able to use his strong frame to protect the ball and avoid blocks

S#8: Good Combination of Skills
Has some of the best post footwork in college basketball as he can use spins and power dribbles to score in the post … … Good ball handler for his size as he has no problem driving past opposing defenders
vs.
Randle is a mix of power, skills and balance that makes him a very interesting prospect

What's left out?
Boozer gets major props for his footwork. Randle is called a pretty good post defender, is cited for lack of quick feet, but is said to have good upside, especially for a freshman.


WEAKNESSES

WEAKNESS #1: Sub Ideal Size
Boozer has shown that he struggles against taller players although to his credit he is playing center in college
vs.
Despite all the good things mentioned about his game there are a lot of concerns about Randle ... In a way Randle’s high energy, "bully ball" style of playing reminds some of how Shabazz, at a different position, overpowered people last year and we've seen how much the former UCLA small forward has struggled in the league AND It's been noted that Randle is undersized for the PF position, lacking ideal length with a sub 7 foot wingspan

WEAKNESS #2: Jumper needs work, low% shooting
Shooting mechanics need to be altered as of right now he is shooting the ball with very little arc which cause the ball to rim out as everyone knows the better the arc on your shot the better chance of your shot going in... Needs a more consistent jump shot from the mid-range on the perimeter
vs.
His shooting isn’t consistent and despite good mechanics, his percentages are low and 3pts range is non-existent ... He will have to develop a consistent solid jumpshot to replicate the success of Zach Randolph and Michael Beasley when facing the basket

WEAKNESS #3: May struggle on D
Struggles on defense as his lateral quickness is okay but it should be worked on as it makes him late on plays sometimes forcing him into fouling
vs.
He may struggle to create looks against stronger, more athletic and taller opponents in the post

WEAKNESS #4: Struggling to Create in the post
Will have to learn to create his own shot more often both with his back to the basket and facing the basket
vs.
Offensively his numbers on synergy indicate how difficult it has been for him to score on post moves with very low percentages on each low post block and over either shoulder

WEAKNESS #5: Back-handed compliments
Many have questioned his work ethic as last year he was slightly overweight but to his credit he has played this year with much more dedication and focus
vs.
It also doesn’t help matters that he is not able to utilize his right hand Overall his game right now is based almost entirely on overpowering weaker opponents ... He is very skilled but it will be hard to find the same success overpowering post players in the league.

Left out:
Boozer's hands were called "not the softest." Randle was called a "below the rim" player.

 

For the record, those are the scouting reports for those folk via Draft Express and NBA Draft.net. Those are not simply statistical comparisons; they are the eye tests - by scouts.

 

I'm sorry man, but I don't see it. They're similar in only one way to me: undersized PFs. That's why I was cool with Boozer coming on board in the first place, I thought Randle could learn a thing or two about body positioning from him. Also their defense is questionable due mostly to the same size problem.

Otherwise, Randle is a better passer already than Carlos ever has been. The stats from college may not support that, but that's because he was asked to play inside in college and has indicated as much already. Randle is more fluid than Carlos ever was, more capable of grabbing a rebound and pushing a fast break. Randle has the ability to grab the ball, handle the ball down the floor, and then either finish or pass the ball off for a basket. I don't remember Carlos ever having that ability. Carlos is a strong dude, but has never had anywhere near Randle's explosive athleticism.

Now if we're talking statistical output, alright. I can buy that. I can buy that Randle could learn from Booz. I don't buy though that they'll end up being comparable in terms of how they look on the court. They're different players.

 

The scouts are wrong?

 

I'm pretty famous too