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

Yup. What you describe is what I'm talking about when I say "feel". A lot of guys with advanced physical tools never develop what others do in terms of the nuances of playing the game through their head first.

Expectations are so high for him in Laker land it could be a really tough time for him. For instance Nance is similarly gifted physically and when he shows a lack of feel it's OK because his role is different. I actually see more in Nance that I do in Randle right now. He flowed to the open area on the floor and moved to gaps in the defense. When Randle is off the ball he just stands there or move into his man and waits for the ball to rotate and then pushes off with a hand in the air. 3 or 4 times tonight his man turned his head away when he was on the offside and he just stood there. For any of you that have played the game competitively you know that if your man turns his head you move away from him to open space.

I think he can learn this stuff to a certain degree at this level and I also believe he will be better than what we are seeing right now but to have the expectations he does and learning basics in the Pros is going to be really hard.

 

No question Randle didn't look great, but also remember he has played 2 games total in the last 8 months or so. If anything I'm encouraged by the adjustment that Randle made at halftime. In the first half he was solely focused on attacking the basket whenever he got the ball, regardless of whether or not that was the correct play at the time. In the second half he started kicking the ball out and getting guys open looks, which consequently made it so that the Knicks couldn't pack the lane against him.

Yeah, we still need to see his jumper improve, his rebounding, ball handling, etc. But his performance tonight was not all negative, especially when we consider where he is at in terms of his recovery.

 

He showed really good defense a couple of times too. I'm only taking the positives from these SL games, and I refuse to piss on a recovering player.

 

Knowing randles personality and drive to be great, he'll improve, he just needs experience and mentorship. I rather they suck now and experiment now then during reg season. It'll all be good in da hood!

 

Lotus Flower wilted

 

Don't get too down on yourself Julius, you'll get there!

 

Glad to hear he knows what he needs to work on, especially rebounding, defending; he was embarrassing at times today. Get your rhythm back soon Julius!

 

that interview was very encouraging. i was frustrated until i watched that. also, i lol'ed when he aggressively pulled his ear.

 

I think the games are more telling of how long its gonna take. I think he will be fine. By mid season I think most people on here will be happy. I still think
it might do him good to come off the bench his first year.

 

Yeah, we will have to see how he looks in the preseason games. But as of right now, Bass will probably be starting.

 

gel = for hair
jell= to come together nicely as a team

It's not interchangeable. Sorry to be that guy.

 

Randle will be fine.

 

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I completely agree, anyone that has played basketball for many years knows how awkward it is coming back from a major injury. Combine that with being young and still developing skills it is easy to see why he would be lacking confidence. Randle gets his confidence back and we will start seeing the real deal. He isn't playing as well as last year yet. Dont think he just forgot how to play. Time and patience.

 

ginobili and harden would like a word, but in general, I agree with you. honestly, of all the guys on the summer league, the only one who doesn't need A LOT of work on their off hand is black. Russell, randle, and even Clarkson showed difficulty finishing or even being a threat going the other way.

bonk's point about randle's lack of off-ball work is spot-on. so many good opportunities for a strong guy like him to get easy buckets by cutting, and he only knows the one-step v-cut to receive the ball too far from the basket to be a triple threat.

it's sort of amazing that he continually gets to the basket despite guys playing literally 10 feet off of him. he really is a physical marvel in that regard. I'm just wondering where that midrange jumper is to help set up cleaner drives. he had started to get it down when I last saw him, and the practice reports said he could hit it. but he's barely shot it, and when he has, it's been bad.

 

Off the roll at Kentucky, he was scoring 1.2 ppp; meaning, he wasn't bad at all in that regard. He also can't set a screen to save his life. He doesn't box out properly. He's lazy at various times. He doesn't stay engaged with playing defense at all times. List can go on and on; what I do know is he gets where he wants on the floor, he needs to take that mid-range more often to setup his drives, and Madsen or whomever on the coaching staff needs to teach him how to set a proper screen, and designing play that get him rolling to the hoop.

 

I think he still needs to work on his handles though. He loses control of the ball way too many times. Besides that, he will be fine.

 

How much of this is due to the offense we're running? I mean I have never seen a less dynamic, more predictable offense.