Another solid game, but man Julius has got to stop ignoring D'Angelo when he's wide open. It's getting very f***ing annoying. There was one play where he was literally right next to him and he missed him. That is inexcusable selfishness. This is why we need to get Byron the hell out of here. The young guys are picking up bad habits. They need to learn to play together and as a team.
Julius has a bit of a spoiled attitude when he plays. If you screw up (in his mind) he won't pass it to you. D'Angelo is still new at this "running the offense" stuff and at times he'll forget to call plays for Julius. It's happened a few games this year and Julius kind of fades into the background and gets upset. The two of them just need to get on the same page more often. Julius is capable of being a creator in the offense when he drives and he deserves to explore that. D'Angelo is the PG and he needs to run the plays, Julius needs to understand that. It comes down to trust and right now they don't trust each other. It's basically the only thing I agree with Byron about. That'll take time. They need to get in a gym and really break down each others' tendencies and abilities so they can play off each other more easily.
^^ I don't remember that at all, Lakers2015, but I find it pretty crazy that I come in here after Julius has 19 and 15 and is clearly the best player on the floor for us last night and there is only one post about him (and even that one is only partly positive and equally negative). Julius' energy and activity the past couple games has just been outstanding. Even in the game that the young guns all did poorly he still had 9 boards - he just missed all his shots. He's got a very strong motor. Anyway, last night was a great sign of things to come. 15 boards, are you kidding me? This is his first year people. He's got what, 31 double doubles now?
I think he played a good game, but we can't have him and Russell not being on the same page. They're still very young so it's not that big of a deal, but they're likely the two best players on the team going forward. They're the future so they need to learn to trust each other.
I don't disagree Lakers2015. They do need to learn to trust each other. That should come in time. We can't forget they are both in their rookie seasons playing in an indiscernible system for a coach who is so bad that we can't tell if he's losing on purpose or just because he's that incompetent. They both have alpha type personalities and strong wills. But they don't seem antagonistic or at odds to me - just not clear on how to play together at times. Back to Julius though - I thought this was one of his most eye-popping games. I lost count of the boards he got during the game because he was just getting so many. He took full advantage of the opponents with his strength and quickness. They couldn't stop him. Seriously now, 19 and 15 on 50% shooting? Are you kidding me?
I'm not sure why, but I don't think Laker fans like this kid the same way they like Jordan or D'Angelo. Maybe it's because he's not as goofy as those guys? He's more serious and private? I don't know. I love Julius' game. I played a pretty similar kind of game when I played, maybe that's why I'm an undersized PF with speed and strength... Really undersized. Undersized even for you local gym to be playing PF, but still that's my game. I'm not really a shooter so... Maybe it's because I see myself in him a bit. Still this kid is great and he's one of the best in his class. Maybe his consistency is hurting his cause at this point because people just don't even realize how great he is even right now. Obviously he's got a long way to go still, but his floor being here is amazing.
I am a big Randle fan. I think his potential is through the roof. He could be one of the best bigs in the game. I never really got all the criticism he got especially early on. He has been rebounding like a mad man all season. Yeah he frequently got lost on defense, but so did everyone. It kind of reminds me of watching Bynum early in his career. He was so raw, but you saw glimpses and flashes of greatness. As he improves his offensive game, watches more tape and understands his defensive rotations, learns to slow down which I actually think he's already made some progress, get a coach who'll hopefully teach him and the team how to play unselfishly I think he can get to the point where Bynum was where he was one of the best big men in basketball. Fortunately he doesn't have the history of injuries that Bynum had. Some people also overlook him missing his entire rookie year. Missing out on an entire year of basketball and game experience. For him to comeback after that and have a pretty stellar rookie year after that is quite remarkable. I love the kid and I do believe that he and D'Angelo are the guys to lead this team in the future and that they'll be a great 1/2 punch. Not quite Kobe and Pau, but I do think they will eventually be one of the better duos in basketball. Just a matter of allowing them to grow, them putting the work in, and giving them a coach that'll help them in the process.
Julius and D'Angelo's trust will improve when each their skills improve. It's easier for PG's to play with guys who can cut and shoot off the ball. Randle's outside shot needs work, and his ability to anticipate when to move off the ball needs improvement too.
Yeah, I know what you mean realdeal. I notice it's more this board though - on LG the posters seem a lot higher on Randle than here. A number of our vet posters here have voiced that they aren't into him, which I don't really get. I have a soft spot for the forward positions, too! I'm a tweener as well - SF/PF game although I shoot a bit more from outside. Forward positions are my favorite to watch - and I really appreciate rebounders. So I love Randle's game and skill set. I do think he needs to improve in the areas many have said: better shooting, better defensive awareness and attentiveness, better screening and off ball movement. He's got a way to go. He's still raw but I'm seeing a LOT more refinement and consistency since he became a starter again. The minutes have helped him improve greatly. And the numbers bear it out completely. The dude is a double double machine and he's done a good job with getting that shooting % up. It's just weird to come in here expecting more excitement about a 19 and 15 game and it's like crickets.
^^ Great post Lakers2015! It's funny, he does remind me of Bynum at times, too. I don't know if he will be the defender that Bynum proved to be at the height of his game, but he has a raw type of dominance at times that I think has similarities. Boy, if he could ever develop some more post moves, like a baby hook that would be cool. I've seen him use the step back at points to good effect as well. I think that seems like a natural move he should do more of.
For what it's worth: Julius is now tied with Pau Gasol for 3rd in Defensive Rebounds at 560 total. He is a distant third to DeAndre Jordan (712) and Andre Drummond (718) but he is ahead of Towns (528), Cousins (548), Whiteside (527), Green (555), and Dwight Howard (521). That being said, he's only 28th in Offensive Rebounds per game at 154 total. He's right around guys like Zach Randolph (155), Derrick Favors (157), Aldridge (152), and Cousins (150). Andre Drummond is lapping him at the #1 spot with 353 total. DeAndre Jordan (238), Towns (203), and Whiteside (202) are all notable as well. Julius (714) is 6th in total rebounding now behind Whiteside (729), Towns (731), Howard (734), DeAndre Jordan (950), and Andre Drummond (1071!!!!). Julius (10.2) is now 9th in rebounds per game behind Davis (10.3), Towns (10.3), Pau Gasol (11.1), Cousins (11.6), Whiteside (11.9), Howard (12), Jordan (14), and Drummond (14.9). He's 4th in Defensive Rebounding Percentage, one of only five guys in the 30% club along with Biyombo, Whiteside, Jordan, and Drummond. He's 9th in Total Rebounding Percentage, just 0.2 percent away from the 20% club that features Howard, Kanter, Biyombo, Jordan, Whiteside, and Drummond. He's also 7th in the NBA in personal fouls trailing only Antetokounmpo, Drummond, Mason Plumlee, Cousins, Towns, and... Roy Hibbert.
Not to mention the game before with 13/14/5 along with a steal and three blocks! I really like this kid. He still might be my favorite of the young guys. He's got to be reigned in a bit with that haughty attitude, but he's got some serious skill. I don't know why he's gotten the cold embrace from the fans.
Unreal numbers for a kid in his first year, playing PF and only getting 28 minutes per game. Seriously, ridiculous rebounding.
i can only imagine what happens to those chemistry issues if we draft, Russell's buddy Simmons this summer
I think it's more about them being rookies and just trying to prove themselves. Young players prioritize individual success subconsciously. It's just part of the maturation process.
I don't think it will matter because if we draft Simmons, I think we trade Randle. Their games are too similar. Randle probably goes out for a better fit.
Which is why I sincerely hope we draft Ingram. He's a much better fit and we don't have to trade such a terrific young stud.
