It's cause he's too used to being the strongest player in the paint. He likes to create space with his strength, but that's not going to work in the NBA with some stronger, longer guys. He needs to develop better footwork and control, which was what James Worthy was hired on to do. He's got a couple years to go before people start throwing around the "he's not great" tag. Charles Barkley also says hi.
I'd love to see a slightly more athletic, taller, and stronger version of Paul Milsap. That wouldn't suck for the next 10 years. He has a lot of work to put in, but seems more than willing to do so.
I agree that his size won't be his most limiting factor. But I've always felt this way about Randle.....When he's going strong for a layup he's almost as explosive as Lebron, but once he stops with both feet below the rim, he gets very little lift. He seems to lack the agility and explosiveness from standstill, limiting his options. I don't expect him to be bouncing around like Shawn Marion, but this part of his game is a little concerning.
What is odd is that he actually has a decent vertical, actually matched Blake Griffin's combine measurement. The thing with Julius is that he thinks he needs to create contact. Once he makes that contact, he has the full weight of the other player on him and he can't get the lift that he has, resulting in those awkward shots he likes to throw up all the time. If he actually just focused on attacking the basket, with a big emphasis on control and footwork, he would get better looks. And if the contact comes, he'll have the strength to finish through contact. I truly hope he realizes this. He is too talented to not recognize this.
I would have never guessed he had the same vertical as Blake. That is completely shocking to me, but it does show the difference in their styles. Biff goes over you, Lotus goes through you. Imagine what it will be like when he figures out both?!
Favors looked HUGE compared to Julius which disappointed me, a guy who keep insisting that Randle is big enough:SadPau:
You guys need to get the hell out of this thread. :FishScola: Julius looked fine and when he bounces back and settles down just like he did last season you guys will all be like this: :heart:
Their measurements are identical. The only difference is that Blake is 1 inch taller in shoes. In fact, I wouldn't mind at all if Julius watched Blake and mimicked some of his game.
I am absolutely calm about Randle. I am as sure as can be at this stage that he's going to be a very good to great player. Actually, he's the one I'm the most excited about out of our young trio. Being disappointed after one bad preseason game is one thing, but some people in here are acting like he's some average young dude with flaws which cannot or would be extremely difficult be corrected. Well, I strongly disagree. First of all, at least some of his problems are due to the long break from BB, his still young age and (I assume) the injury/fear of a new one holding him back. He's also in the perfect place and surrounded by the best possible mentors to grow and overcome his limitations whatever those may be. As a hard-working, talented and inteligent guy, he just has to make significant progress at this stage of his career. This is going to be a very interesting season with many, many ups and downs, watching these young men develop both individually and as a team, should be a great experience after the last couple of seasons. I plan to enjoy myself while watching :twothumbs:
You're looking forward to playing Minnesota..... so he can pick on Andre Miller too? That didn't turn out so well for Bif. :magicsmile:
Although, I hate the Clips with a passion, I do like parts of Griffin's game. Griffin also put in a lot of work to become the player he is...if Randle followed a similar path and became the player Griffin is with a higher IQ and constantly not falling flat in the last 2-3 minutes of games, I'd be thrilled.
Yeah I feel ya, I think hes going to be a very good player. I just think some people's expectations of greatness are a bit unfair for him.
I like what I'm seeing with our team in terms of playing together, team bonding, etc. They seem to genuinely get along, similar to last season, and that is always easy to root for. Kobe looks like he's having fun already, and really getting along well with our 3 young guys and Hibbert, getting fired up and such. The bench guys seem to be gelling together as well. I like what I'm seeing with teammates cheering each other on, talking on D, setting guys up for easy buckets, and sticking up for each other like Hibbert did tonight. Again, it'll be an easy team to root for, no matter how good, or bad, we are.
Nick Young didn't impress at all.. He hasn't improved his game in years I guess there's nothing more he can offer than mediocre scoring.. looks like a black hole of bricks. Other than facepalming Nick, I didn't have too many other head scratching moments. Kobe looks good and Hibbert hitting his FT's is so refreshing.......
There's so much I want to say about this team, at some point I will but I'll keep it short. Win or lose (and through Byron's coaching decisions), this team is easy to root for.
i'm going to wait until we get closer to to opening night to judge Byron's lineups. Right now there are a few guys fighting for roster spots, some guaranteed contracts and some not. I think he wants to give some of the guys on the fringe a chance to prove they can stick. We still have 6 more preseason games so there's plenty of time to start figuring out a basic rotation. I'm really hoping Upshaw can show us something when the chance if given to him. Imagine our defense switching from Roy to Upshaw. We could be a top 15 defensive team this year.
Liking what I'm seeing from the core so far. Kobe, Clarkson, Russel, Randle, Hibbert, Bass, Williams, Black, Metta... All look good. Hopefully we get some development out of Brown, Upshaw & Huertas & we'll be a pretty good team..
Small thing: Brandon Bass is a fantastic finisher when he's around the basket, even against bigs. So SOLID, THICK.
As much as I love our young studs, something about a lineup of: Lou Kobe Metta Bass Hibbert excites me.
