A Healthy Julius Randle Is Dangerous For The Rest Of The NBA
By Keith Rivas
We didn’t get to see a fully healthy Julius Randle or Kobe Bryant last season — in 2016 we’ll see them both healthy and with some damn good company.
Julius Randle, when combined with the talents of Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, would be dangerous enough as part of a team.
We’ll get to see Randle intertwined with the No. 2 overall draft pick, Kobe Bryant, and Jordan Clarkson.
There’s no reason for 2016 to be a fluke for the Lakers anymore.
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Before Los Angeles locked up the second pick, Kobe Bryant’s return for one more season was expected by many to be an average season with no flare.
But we’d be foolish to think that’s still the case.
In the battle for Los Angeles between themselves and the Clippers, the Lakers are going to have a huge advantage in the big-man game.
Why?
DeAndre Jordan is clearly not fully happy with his situation with Chris Paul & Co., but Randle still has room to grow.
Since we didn’t get to see Randle’s abilities in the big moments or with an epic, beyond passionate fan base last year, the sky isn’t even the limit for the former Kentucky star.
Just imagine what happens when great minds, who’ll be on the same page in regards to a playoff push and a try for a title, can do when they’ve got the biggest chance to prove the basketball world wrong.
Because trust me, they’d love nothing more.
In his days at Kentucky, Randle averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, and shot just over 50% from the field.
If he’s able to translate anywhere close to those numbers as a part of the Lakers — and not get injured like we’ve seen happen to players before — the rest of Kobe’s supporting cast can finish the other teams off.
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Jordan Clarkson’s leadership will also get to grow and he’ll get a chance to get even more comfortable on the court with teammates that will be there with him when all is said and done with Bryant’s Hall-of-Fame career.
In the Pacific Division, one of the biggest milestones for the Lakers is surpassing some of the bottom-feeder teams like the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
The Suns looked to be on their way to the NBA Playoffs last year before trading away a big leader in Goran Dragic.
Dragic could be in the Lakers’ sights moving forward if he decides to not stay with the team that picked him up at the last trade deadline in the Miami Heat.
There are plenty of reasons that Dragic would be a great fit in LA — and you can read them here — but the main focus here is that the Suns won’t be the same or nearly as dangerous.
And the Kings, well…it’s the Kings.
We can’t expect much to develop in California’s capitol if they don’t get a superstar besides DeMarcus Cousins.
Why?
Because he can’t do it himself.
It’s a good thing Randle won’t have to.
Bottom Line: The Lakers are coming back with a vengeance
Aside from that, the Lakers will have to go toe-to-toe with the Clippers and Warriors for rights to a division crown, but I don’t think that’s scary for Bryant because he’s been doubted before.
So instead of expecting the worst, we can expect the unexpected.
It’s Los Angeles versus the rest of the world.
And we’re more than ready.