Unfortunately it seems Randle feels betrayed and alienated. Luke needs to talk to him, if they haven't already.
Agreed. He has every right to be upset. Luke and the Lakers are really mistreating him. However, that isn't an excuse. The best way to respond to this is to come off the bench with great energy and hard work. Instead, he's coming off the bench and pouting on the floor. There was more than one possession when he was openly scolding teammates for not giving him the ball even if that wasn't the best play. The team is out here rolling with good chemistry and you come in and want things to be about you? That's not what this team is going to be about Julius. Either get on board, or get out of the way.
Agree... Randle feels he committed himself to be in the best shape and putting in the work on the floor then gets shuttled. I just don't want to see this fester, become a distraction.
Then someone from the staff needs to talk to him...let him know about it. Play within the offense and he'll get his chances. Move and Ball will hit you. Looks like stubborn parties all around. I like Randle a lot because I think he brings so much more to the table than Nance.
You're right, but what guarantee does he have that great energy and hard work will pay off? He's done that in the offseason and in the preseason games. The result? Luke gives him the middle finger. It's Luke's job to handle his player's egos, and he's done a piss poor job of handling Randle.
We don't have to wait to trade him if we have a good partner, but it might be best to wait until later in the year at the trade deadline. We aren't on a trajectory to resign him for big bucks, so it's better not to lose him for nothing. Still plenty of time to turn things around. We're on pace for 41 wins even with this little issue. :Headbang:
I agree, but you still need to exhibit professionalism. Negative behavior will get him absolutely nowhere and his pouting is unacceptable. If he's got a problem, that stuff has to stay off the court.
It can't be a one-way street though. What about professionalism from Luke? Communication with his players is a big part of his profession, and quite frankly, one of the biggest reasons we hired him. He's failing to do his job.
I'm sure in his mind he should be a 20/10 player this year with all of the work he put in. It must be very frustrating to not have the opportunity to work toward making that happen. But is that Luke's fault? His job is to win games and put the best combinations possible on the floor. Julius isn't a player you build around, but rather fit in because of his limitations. I personally would still like to see him get some run with the 1st unit, but that time will come as soon as Nance pulls up with a nagging injury. Patience young bull.
I'm not excusing Luke, but Julius still has to be a professional. It's not a competition of who is more at fault.
How can anyone know this? Because Randle is acting out? What if he has been talked to and is just this immature or having difficulty with this regardless?
I do find Randle's reaction surprising. He's a young man who cares a lot. I remember the Washington game where he just exploded about the constant losing then destroyed everyone on the floor.
It's not a competition, but Luke is the cause and Randle is the result. So I feel Luke needs to rectify the problem if he wants Randle to contribute.
+1. Randle's post game is clunky...tentative with his outside shot. Not a consistent on ball defender. He is though a terror on the break, runs the floor well and a rebounding fool. Really sets a physical tone when engaged on the floor. Needs to realize he doesn't have to work so damn hard when you have a point man that will make it easy for him.
We don't, but Luke's job is to get the best out of his players. And he is failing to do so with Randle.
he's failing to get the best out of Zubac, Deng, Anus, and a bunch of others then too. The players have to take some accountability of their actions, their play, and accept a role within a team concept.
You don't come in and ask for a guarantee for work. You don't go to your job guaranteed to be out on the best projects. YOU put in the work and work gets recognized. This level of effort and pouting is immature, especially for someone 4 years into the league.
