^^ Great post sirronstuff. It really seems like a no-brainer and your head scratching Byron is right on the money.
He struggled yesterday. First time I've seen him struggle like that in awhile. He'll be fine, though. We all keep sounding like a broken record, though: Julius, jump shot, and right hand. As a matter of fact, I didn't even seen him try his little intermediate fade away yesterday; then again, I didn't watch much of the game due to work.
He barely played and when he was actually in the game, he didn't have the ball hardly at all. He played 16 minutes or something and I saw him with the ball in his hands maybe 5 times. Not enough opportunities. He was being punished for not getting back on defense and not being engaged in the game, but who wouldn't? Lou, Nick, Russell, and ESPECIALLY Kobe were just chucking threes like there was no tomorrow. Most of them weren't even close. They had like 10 threes in the 1st quarter and how many post-ups did they have for Randle in that time frame? One? Two? Awful. I'm not worried about Julius' talent or ability, but I am worried that he disengages when things don't go his way.
Gotcha. That gives me more of an idea. I missed the entire first half and seen the 2nd or what I could...
Yeah he didn't get much opportunity and stopped trying after a while. I don't blame him, but I don't accept it either. The same criticism I had of Russell yesterday, I have of Randle today: find ways to positively impact the game. You can't be the "Man" without stepping up. Nobody stepped up yesterday.
He needs to start taking and making a 15-18 foot jumper though. Part of what I saw was his man backing off of him, letting him build a little steam, and being taller than him, letting him come to the hoop and disrupting the shot. Then later he just ran over a guy for the charge, and used his off arm for another foul at the rim. As a PF today, he's got to have a jumper to keep the defense guessing. They seem to know what he's going to do because he keeps doing the same thing. It's clear he has no confidence in his shot though, as he's not even attempting them.
I think he needs at least a couple more off-seasons to really develop his jumper and right hand. I mean it took Lebron like 5 years to starting hitting his J's,.... and it's still not that reliable lol
He was gunning, too. Look at our early possessions, from the start of last night: 1. Russell layup (Kobe assists) 2. Randle 11' shot - good. 3. Randle bad pass TO (stolen by Rondo). 4. Randle misses a 16' shot. Randle consumed three of our first four possessions, taking two shots and turning it over. Then he was frozen out of the offense for the next four minutes.
Until he develops that jumper, he'll be very limited. I think that should be his main focus in practice if it isn't already...that and using his right. We already know he can bully ball on a whim, so focus on rounding out that game. Also less flailing and more control on the bully ball finishes will probably lead to even better results than we've seen.
He needs that jumper; I seen the pocket pass where he hesitated that Ben is referring, too; so, he needs to get better at playing the pick in roll as well. I love the other parts of his game, but his ability go get bogged down and become a black hole can be an issue. It doesn't help that we've implemented a system that can be described as 'pick-up' basketball. If we ran a real system, with ball movement, that demanded the ball be moved and didn't stick, he'd be learning good habits instead of currently doing what he's is right now which isn't healthy at all for his development. Either way, I love the potential and think he'll bounce back against Dallas...
The jumper will open up his game, especially against bigger guys. Right now he's just charging into them and hoping for the best.
Team have scouting reports. Goes left 98% of the time, shaky jumper, force right. He knows his limitations. He's young and will improve.
Right now with no semblance of a jump shot most of Randle's points are gonna have to come off being spoon fed by Russell or Clarkson, post ups, duck ins, put backs, and transition points. If he ever develops a jump shot he could be a 20/10 player. No doubt in my mind.
Julius is very similar to a young Blake Griffin imo ( minus the athleticism ) ... bullying his way to the hoop with no J or post game ... but you can see the potential and the ability to pass the ball
He's been improving steadily as well. Struggled SL and the first game of the preseason; after that first game of the preseason, he's been fantastic minus the game against Sacramento. He was absolutely sensational tonight. However, RIGHT HAND and a JUMP SHOT. Then, it's game over for the league...
