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Lakers: Kobe Bryant and Roy Hibbert love Julius Randle

By Tom West

September 28, 2015; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle is interviewed during media day at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 28, 2015; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle is interviewed during media day at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into uncertain times, but with Julius Randle they seem to have a star in the making.

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After spending so many years as NBA royalty, it’s only been in the last few seasons that the Los Angeles Lakers have been demoted in the Western conference totem. With a total of just 48 wins over the last two seasons combined, they’re in the middle of a rebuild preparing for the approaching retirement of Kobe Bryant. However, in power forward Julius Randle, it seems as though they have a future star to try and focus their franchise around.

It’s what the team needs more than anything, given its host of run-and-gun shooters such as Louis Williams, Nick Young and, of course, Kobe himself. The Lakers need another player to give their team a reliable focal point on offense as it moves forward.

After playing a mere 14 minutes in his rookie debut before going down with a broken right leg, Randle never had a chance to prove himself as a pro last season.

With a new season comes new opportunity. Following Summer League and an impressive 16 point, 5 rebound, 4 assist, 3 steal preseason performance in a 114-117 OT loss to the Utah Jazz, Randle has more than earned the praise of his teammates.

When it comes to getting compliments, though, Kobe is probably harder to impress than anyone else in the NBA. But for his young teammate Randle, Kobe didn’t hold back with a high comparison.

From anyone, that’s extremely high praise. In his prime Lamar Odom was an extremely skilled and versatile big man who could shoot, rebound and protect the rim at times. He was versatile enough to play both small and power forward. As for Zach Randolph, he’s been a force in the NBA for over a decade as a constant 20 point, 10 rebound threat every single night.

So, for that comparison to come from the Black Mamba, Randle should be feeling extremely chuffed with how he’s starting to impress his teammates.

Although, with Randle’s combination of skill in the post and powerful, 6’9″, 250 lbs frame and physical play style, that early comparison to Odom and Randolph seems pretty apt.

That’s not all the Lakers have had to say about their young budding star either. Summer acquisition Roy Hibbert went much further than Kobe and even said that Randle is the future face of the NBA.

While it’s pretty hasty to say Randle is the future face of the NBA, especially with the likes of Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook around for many years to come, there’s certainly a chance that if Randle continues proving himself, he can emerge as the face of his franchise.

At least, alongside players with excellent promise such as Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell.

Just look at some offensive plays from his summer league performance this year, which started giving everyone a glimpse of what he can do (even if it was just summer league):

Randle has showcased his dynamic interior scoring since college, and proved himself as a rebounder before even entering the NBA as well, after leading the entire NCAA in total rebounds during 2013-14 with 416 at an average of 10.4 per game.

His explosive first step, finishing ability at the rim, spin moves, mid-range game, footwork in the post and general athleticism make him an exciting project for the Lakers. Of course, he still has an awful lot to prove as he’s yet to complete a full regular season game, although the signs of potential are beyond encouraging for the Lakers and their fans right now.

The day of Kobe’s retirement will be a sad one, but at least there’s a new potential star on the way in the form of Julius Randle.

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