Positional Power Rankings: 30 best power forwards in the NBA
By John Buhler
![Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cbe311ef4f75fd8386ba679117f396706caf49e4062df1260d6220c6cf145899.jpg)
Julius Randle
Power Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
![Los Angeles Lakers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png)
The Los Angeles Lakers may not have a superstar, yet, but they have several interesting young players on their otherwise terrible basketball team. Barring injuries, one player on that team that should have a long and productive NBA career is power forward Julius Randle.
He’s a bit undersized, but offers a solid low-post presence. Randle is most comfortable when he can create off the block with his back to the basket. It’s a throwback style to playing power forward, but one has to believe his offensive game still has a role in this style of NBA basketball.
Eventually, the 3point bubble will burst once basketball analytics discovers the inefficiencies in a good low-post to mid-range game. Randle’s offense skill set still works as a stretch-5, but he’s a traditional power forward through and through.
Los Angeles looks at Randle as an important piece in their rebuild. He’s a low-ceilinged, high-floor type of player. Don’t expect Randle to be a multi-time All-Star, but his brand of basketball is strong in fundamentals and doesn’t shy away from physicality. Maybe a slower paced NBA coincides with Randle entering his prime? Something has to give in the Wild West that is the pace-and-space era, right?