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

I love watching this kid. I love hearing him talk, he's a fun interview for a 19 year old. His future is so bright.

When we drafted him I thought we were getting a Zach Randolph and man he's blown past that comparison. Watching him get a rebound and push the ball is damn impressive. Hate to keep making comparisons like this (I don't want to be THAT Laker fan), but at his size when he pushes the ball it's a little like LeBron. Don't get in the way! When he pushes the ball down the court, big men can't keep up with him and guards are nervous to get near him. He's a match-up nightmare. I know he dominated against the Portland bench, but still it's been very impressive. His talent level is off the charts. Compare him to other younger stars around the League and I think you'll see him in a pretty positive light. Heck his post game is already stronger than either Howard's or Griffin's. His ability to push the ball by himself is probably on par with Griffin too already and I'd pick Randle already on the break because of his ability to pass effectively.

He's a great candidate to take the helm of our franchise moving forward. At least in part. I'd still obviously like to pair him with another young stud (Durant being the obvious choice). His talent level and mentality are perfect for LA. His demeanor is beyond his years.

Oh and I love that he said he wants to be the next Kobe, not the next Shaq. That's amazing.

 

^^ Totally agree! I was going to come in and say the same thing you did at the top of your post. I love this kid and I love watching him play. There's something so compelling about him. When he's in he draws your attention. He's got that size, strength, quickness, drive and bball IQ. But even then there's something more. He's got a magnetism/charisma that's hard to pinpoint. He's got the IT quality. He just stands out from everyone else.

Yeah, seeing him on the break is a little like LeBron, and does remind me somewhat of Odom like others have said. Going coast to coast? It's so much fun to see him do that. It just seems to come so naturally to him. And that no look pass to Clarkson was just sick last night.

I am so happy that we got him at the 7 pick. So great.

 

That pass was fantastic! From a big man on the move? Honestly we haven't seen a guy like that since Odom and even Odom's style was a bit different because he did it with length instead of power.

On the break it feels like I'm watching Magic when Magic played in high school or something.

Certainly not the kind of vision Magic had in his prime, but a big, 6'9" kid able to make no-look passes off the dribble? How many players in the League can do that? Not many.

 

^^ Realdeal - It was really was Magic like. He does remind me a hint of Magic and even though he doesn't want to hear it - a little like Shaq too (spin move, size and strength combo and just plain smarts). For those that think we're going overboard, we're not saying he'll be as good as those legends, just that he has that natural feel for basketball that you can't even teach. Of course he has a LOT of work to do in all departments: conditioning, post play, defense, playing under control. But he has the talent to excel and a magnetism that makes me think he is going to be a star in this league. Not just another good player.

 

Definitely. He's just got one of those athletic skill sets that makes him unique and difficult to guard. Magic changed the League because he was a big guy who could play PG. Shaq and Wilt changed the game with their ridiculous size and athleticism. LeBron changed/is changing the game again with his combination of size, speed, and athleticism. I'm not saying Randle will change the game, but his abilities are unique like theirs. Guys like Odom and Barkley had similar abilities but didn't have the success as the other players. Randle could easily fall into that group too.

But given the situation he's in, there's no better outlook for his future. I think he's going to do great things for us.

 

**** I didn't know there was a game last night bexausr there are never back to back preseason games. Of course I missed Randle's best game so far. Oh well, recording the encore+ at 1.

 

He's definitely got a ways to go, he's raw in a lot of ways, but yeah I think the potential shown is greater than any rookie we've had since Bynum. If he puts it all together he's going to be a beast.