"Julius Randle posted his third career triple-double against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, passing Kobe Bryant and Jerry West for the second-most triple-doubles at the age of 22 or younger in Lakers history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau." YES!! Who's got #1?
Can't help myself ... annoying glass half full guy after the first solid team win in too long a time ..... but if Julius ever does get that midrange or longer J going and keeps improving his handles and right hand, and stays with his button pushed, it's going to be fun watching him and Simmons going at it. Both would be a hand full for the other to defend and both so physical. As would, we keep waiting for him to get good enough, him and Biff going at it.
Wow missed this first time through somehow. That's quite an elite group of beasts to find himself thrown in with. All because Luke pushed his button. Luke "That's not what I asked. I don't care if you're mad at me" Time to feel good about this again:
Julius first and for most needs to play defense, which he doesn't and which is 50% of the game. Thats also why he is nothing like Draymond Green. Green is one of the best defenders and Julius is miles away in that regard. The thing is most people primarily care about offense. If Julius has a 30/10 game with terrible defense, people will still say "he had a 30/10 game". If he has a stat line of 5/10 with great defense, people will not be really impressed with that line. Its the nature of the beast.
I wouldn't say he doesn't play defense. I would say he's an opportunistic defender and a decent one-on-one defender, but an abysmal help and team defender.
His help defense is getting better. It was just horrid last year. It still needs a lot of work. I've bashed on it and I'm one of his fans. His man on defense and his switches on guards are actually pretty good. But still I'm always kind of astonished coming here and seeing the general dislike for the kid. He's been our most consistent young player this year. I don't see how that's debatable. The guy is averaging 13.6/8.7/3.8 with 50% shooting all in just under 30 minutes a game. And this is only his second year of playing in the NBA. To come in here after he has a triple double and his stats on the year and see a bunch of harsh critique is a drag. It seems like he only has a handful of fans here unfortunately, myself included.
I hate his timing. So many times he's the rim protector and the play is developing (simple pick and roll) and he doesn't move until it's much too late. It happens on the perimeter too on pick and rolls where there's no excuse for him not to show given his athleticism and instead a guard will get a wide open three and bury it.
Yet there are still some sports analysts advocating for Randle to be our starting center. If we are already a lay up line, imagine the opening for the opposing starting guards.
