[AdamJCallejaParticipant]

 Been watching the past few Laker games and I’m really impressed with the flashes he has shown. If he puts it all together, what can he become in this league? Of course David Lee is the realistic comparison but I see that he’s definitely quicker and more agile with a stronger lower body.  I see all star potential and possibly top 5 PF in the league.

[llperez]

David lee would be underselling his potential. I have no doubt he will be a multiple time all-star. Absolutely love what I see and Byron Scott is giving him zero preferential treatment as a rookie. His last game where he finished with 17 & 8 in around 20 minutes was legit.

His ball handling is the biggest surprise. He leads the break 4-5 times every game. His face up game and crossover and ability to spin off his man if he gets cut off is elite. He has amazing touch around the paint. He even drilled 3 jumpers in the 20 foot range last game.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Surprised by his ball handling? Well, i guess you didn’t see him play at UK.

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Surprised by his ball handling? Well, i guess you didn’t see him play at UK.

 

[llperez]

David lee would be underselling his potential. I have no doubt he will be a multiple time all-star. Absolutely love what I see and Byron Scott is giving him zero preferential treatment as a rookie. His last game where he finished with 17 & 8 in around 20 minutes was legit.

His ball handling is the biggest surprise. He leads the break 4-5 times every game. His face up game and crossover and ability to spin off his man if he gets cut off is elite. He has amazing touch around the paint. He even drilled 3 jumpers in the 20 foot range last game.

[JoeWolf1]

 For a big man he can really move. Being fast and not strong can limit you, and being strong and not fast can limit you, but he can do both. 

Not exactly breaking news, but that’s something I’ve always liked about him. He absolutely has to figure out his game in the NBA, though, guys that try too hard to be perimeter players in the NBA when they don’t have the skill to back it up run into trouble. If he plays his game and lets the rest come to him as he improves, then he should be fine.

[JoeWolf1]

 For a big man he can really move. Being fast and not strong can limit you, and being strong and not fast can limit you, but he can do both. 

Not exactly breaking news, but that’s something I’ve always liked about him. He absolutely has to figure out his game in the NBA, though, guys that try too hard to be perimeter players in the NBA when they don’t have the skill to back it up run into trouble. If he plays his game and lets the rest come to him as he improves, then he should be fine.

[Ebown5Participant]

I love Randle and was praying for him to slip to the Sixers at 10 last year. He is so much more skilled than he showed in college and he is a relentless low post scorer and rebounder.

He probably doesn’t have the length or quickness to be a great defender, but he puts in the effort. He will draw double teams from day one and will eventually average 20 points and 10 rebounds. 

[Ebown5Participant]

I love Randle and was praying for him to slip to the Sixers at 10 last year. He is so much more skilled than he showed in college and he is a relentless low post scorer and rebounder.

He probably doesn’t have the length or quickness to be a great defender, but he puts in the effort. He will draw double teams from day one and will eventually average 20 points and 10 rebounds. 

[bennydabullParticipant]

I think someone on here compared him to Blake Griffin a while ago and I agree. Obviously Blake is levels above him in athleticism, but they have many similarities.

 Both STRONG, relentless effort / hustle, have the ability to handle the ball, jumper needs improvement, etc. They’re both also pretty awkward in their post-up moves, but make up for it with crazy effort. Blake is probably a better passer at this stage but Julius has shown flashes. 

Excited to see how he develops, especially under Kobe’s wing. 

 

[bennydabullParticipant]

I think someone on here compared him to Blake Griffin a while ago and I agree. Obviously Blake is levels above him in athleticism, but they have many similarities.

 Both STRONG, relentless effort / hustle, have the ability to handle the ball, jumper needs improvement, etc. They’re both also pretty awkward in their post-up moves, but make up for it with crazy effort. Blake is probably a better passer at this stage but Julius has shown flashes. 

Excited to see how he develops, especially under Kobe’s wing. 

 

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 Nash’s contract, and anything else not Kobe, Randle or Ryan Kelley. Randle would really be fun to watch if he played for the Sixers and had a real green light. He would get 30 minutes and 19 attempts per game in Philly. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

Because they claimed Boozer off amnesty waivers, they can’t trade him until after the season. I guess they’d own the rights to him, but that wouldn’t be worth much by then. If they’re going to tank, they should have never grabbed Boozer to begin with. Unless they thought he’d be a detriment to them.

You’re forgetting Clarkson. He might end up pretty solid. They really should tank.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Because they claimed Boozer off amnesty waivers, they can’t trade him until after the season. I guess they’d own the rights to him, but that wouldn’t be worth much by then. If they’re going to tank, they should have never grabbed Boozer to begin with. Unless they thought he’d be a detriment to them.

You’re forgetting Clarkson. He might end up pretty solid. They really should tank.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 Nash’s contract, and anything else not Kobe, Randle or Ryan Kelley. Randle would really be fun to watch if he played for the Sixers and had a real green light. He would get 30 minutes and 19 attempts per game in Philly. 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 In this draft class.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 In this draft class.

[chaParticipant]

 Well, this might be the reason why Bill Simmons was butthurt that the Lakers got him. He’s an absolute beast: I think he’s a cross between C-Webb and David Lee. Obviously, he’s not as athletic as Webb nor as lengthy but he is skilled, strong and quick. If he somehow develops a perimeter game, watch out! I see a potential matchup nightmare in the making. Imagine a 6’9 forward built like a bull coming at you in the open court.. Now imagine him pulling up from three point land,. it is the opposing team’s worst nightmare. 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Has any PF ever been able to lead the break and pull up at the three point line and actually be able to stop themselves and hit that shot? Can Love, who shoots 6 threes a game at 40%, even do that? I think we are in fantasy land where we start talking about Randle being able to do something that no one else (or at best on a few) has ever done. 

[chaParticipant]

can’t recall a PF do it- true. But then again, Randle is unique player in his own right. Have you seen a player his size handle the ball that well? Maybe C-Webb but the difference between those two is that Randle has been on the record in saying he wanted to be a the next Kobe (perimeter player) instead of Shaq (low block beast). The way he moves, I can see him moving to the three- he just needs how to play defense in the perimeter. 

 

 I don’t think you can compare Love to Randle for the simply reason that they play the same exact position (right now at least) but are totally different: One plays lower to the ground and uses his leverage and pure skills and one uses power, quickness and handles to attack the rim. 

[chaParticipant]

can’t recall a PF do it- true. But then again, Randle is unique player in his own right. Have you seen a player his size handle the ball that well? Maybe C-Webb but the difference between those two is that Randle has been on the record in saying he wanted to be a the next Kobe (perimeter player) instead of Shaq (low block beast). The way he moves, I can see him moving to the three- he just needs how to play defense in the perimeter. 

 

 I don’t think you can compare Love to Randle for the simply reason that they play the same exact position (right now at least) but are totally different: One plays lower to the ground and uses his leverage and pure skills and one uses power, quickness and handles to attack the rim. 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Has any PF ever been able to lead the break and pull up at the three point line and actually be able to stop themselves and hit that shot? Can Love, who shoots 6 threes a game at 40%, even do that? I think we are in fantasy land where we start talking about Randle being able to do something that no one else (or at best on a few) has ever done. 

[chaParticipant]

 Well, this might be the reason why Bill Simmons was butthurt that the Lakers got him. He’s an absolute beast: I think he’s a cross between C-Webb and David Lee. Obviously, he’s not as athletic as Webb nor as lengthy but he is skilled, strong and quick. If he somehow develops a perimeter game, watch out! I see a potential matchup nightmare in the making. Imagine a 6’9 forward built like a bull coming at you in the open court.. Now imagine him pulling up from three point land,. it is the opposing team’s worst nightmare. 

[gbmantisParticipant]

(prime) Elton Brand?

[gbmantisParticipant]

(prime) Elton Brand?

[HitsterParticipant]

 It will be interesting to see if the Lakers really look to invest in Randle and make it clear to him he will be part of the post Kobe era. You always have the feeling with big franchises that if they get a high pick who isn’t an immediate key piece they may be on the trade block as they look for major franchise level players via FA or trades.

I really hope the Lakers do consider Randle a long term piece and allow him to develop, he is only on a rookie deal so they can bring in a good FA or two next summer and really do have to consider the post Kobe era. I hope Black Mamba puts up 25ppg plus this year to prove he is still as good as ever but the Lakers have to look longer term as even Kobe cannot go on for ever.

Ideally they get an established top FA in to really rebuild around and if he can help Kobe have one more tilt then it’s a bonus but they do need to develop guys like Randle.

For someone like Randle having Kobe around can be a huge positive as Kobe can imparta lot of wisdom and winning mentality on him. But Kobe perhaps needs to remember that younger guys do need time, Kobe was a bench player for his first two years don’t forget. On this site’s profile of Randle it ays he is highly coachable, has a real hard working ethic which is something Kobe would respect him for I feel. 

I like the David Lee as the middle to downside of Randle, if he reaches that then he’ll have a very nice career, if his upside is C-Webb then the Lakers have a potential franchise level player but C-Webb was a more advanced player at a similar age I’d personally think.

[HitsterParticipant]

 It will be interesting to see if the Lakers really look to invest in Randle and make it clear to him he will be part of the post Kobe era. You always have the feeling with big franchises that if they get a high pick who isn’t an immediate key piece they may be on the trade block as they look for major franchise level players via FA or trades.

I really hope the Lakers do consider Randle a long term piece and allow him to develop, he is only on a rookie deal so they can bring in a good FA or two next summer and really do have to consider the post Kobe era. I hope Black Mamba puts up 25ppg plus this year to prove he is still as good as ever but the Lakers have to look longer term as even Kobe cannot go on for ever.

Ideally they get an established top FA in to really rebuild around and if he can help Kobe have one more tilt then it’s a bonus but they do need to develop guys like Randle.

For someone like Randle having Kobe around can be a huge positive as Kobe can imparta lot of wisdom and winning mentality on him. But Kobe perhaps needs to remember that younger guys do need time, Kobe was a bench player for his first two years don’t forget. On this site’s profile of Randle it ays he is highly coachable, has a real hard working ethic which is something Kobe would respect him for I feel. 

I like the David Lee as the middle to downside of Randle, if he reaches that then he’ll have a very nice career, if his upside is C-Webb then the Lakers have a potential franchise level player but C-Webb was a more advanced player at a similar age I’d personally think.

[GBeeParticipant]

 tbh, i havent been all that impressed by him in summer or preseason. 9 pts on 9 shots a game. 45% from the floor as a PF.

he still looks like he has the same issues that he showed late last season. catch and hold player with a weak jumper that he short arms. 9 times out of 10 goes left on his drives. when he goes right you know he wants to get back to his left. his best shot seems to be a running hook because he doesnt have great length. doesnt look comfortable or have a variety of moves in the post. doesnt move well when he doesnt have the ball. poor defender. 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 tbh, i havent been all that impressed by him in summer or preseason. 9 pts on 9 shots a game. 45% from the floor as a PF.

he still looks like he has the same issues that he showed late last season. catch and hold player with a weak jumper that he short arms. 9 times out of 10 goes left on his drives. when he goes right you know he wants to get back to his left. his best shot seems to be a running hook because he doesnt have great length. doesnt look comfortable or have a variety of moves in the post. doesnt move well when he doesnt have the ball. poor defender. 

 

[JoeWolf1]

 He’s going to run into a lot of the same issues Thomas Robinson does on defense. I think he’ll overall be a average or negative defender, but someone who cleans up on the defensive glass and is good for a jaw dropping block every couple of games. He’s still uncomfortable guarding away from the basket, despite having the athletic ability to do so, and I saw the most improvment in his post defense last year.

I think his upside is on the offensive end, but I’m confident he’s a hard enough worker to justify his time on the court even if he’s struggling on the defensive end of the ball. If he really buys in to playing in the post and gradually expanding his game, I think he could have a 15 ppg 10 rpg ceiling, maybe even as high as 18 or 19 depending on the team he’s on; however, if he tries to prove he’s a perimeter guy like Derrick Williams and Thomas Robinson, who were both high motor post players in college, then I think he’ll under acheive. 

I hate the trend where guys don’t want to be energy guys and waste their talent trying to be something they’re not. I don’t know if that’s bad advice from agents or just ego, but if Julius lets the game come to him and slowly evolve, then I think he can be successful. That’s something his comparison (David Lee) did and it served him very well, doing grunt work as a rookie and 2nd year player while his skills caught up and slowly expanding into an All-Star.

 

[JoeWolf1]

 He’s going to run into a lot of the same issues Thomas Robinson does on defense. I think he’ll overall be a average or negative defender, but someone who cleans up on the defensive glass and is good for a jaw dropping block every couple of games. He’s still uncomfortable guarding away from the basket, despite having the athletic ability to do so, and I saw the most improvment in his post defense last year.

I think his upside is on the offensive end, but I’m confident he’s a hard enough worker to justify his time on the court even if he’s struggling on the defensive end of the ball. If he really buys in to playing in the post and gradually expanding his game, I think he could have a 15 ppg 10 rpg ceiling, maybe even as high as 18 or 19 depending on the team he’s on; however, if he tries to prove he’s a perimeter guy like Derrick Williams and Thomas Robinson, who were both high motor post players in college, then I think he’ll under acheive. 

I hate the trend where guys don’t want to be energy guys and waste their talent trying to be something they’re not. I don’t know if that’s bad advice from agents or just ego, but if Julius lets the game come to him and slowly evolve, then I think he can be successful. That’s something his comparison (David Lee) did and it served him very well, doing grunt work as a rookie and 2nd year player while his skills caught up and slowly expanding into an All-Star.

 

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