Lakers Forward Julius Randle Impact for the Upcoming Season

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle’s career didn’t start off the way he expected it.

In his NBA debut on October 28, 2014, Randle broke his right tibia against the Houston Rockets. The following day, he underwent successful surgery to repair the fracture. The news got worse when the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft found out he’ll miss the remainder of his rookie season.

After the injury fans thought the worse. Would Randle excel to the expectation he was giving on draft day or will he fall into the category of draft bust?

Not willing to let the setback define the remainder of his career, he got back to work.

Almost five months after his injury, he was cleared to participate in non-contact basketball activities, just a step further into his comeback season.

In July 2015, he returned to action joining the Lakers for the 2015 Summer League. After missing almost a year of action, he struggled with his rhythm.

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He wasn’t rebounding like the force general manager Mitch Kupchick saw at Kentucky and he wasn’t finishing inside the rim. He still finished the summer averaging 11.5 points and 4 rebounds per game.

Randle made his 2015-16 season debut on the exact date of his injury the previous season, but the result was different. Instead of pain and suffering on the court, it was hard-work and excellence as Randle scored 15 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Randle’s comeback season was a complete success on the stat sheet, even if it wasn’t shown in the win/loss column.

Randle finished the season playing 81 games starting 60 and averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

He became the youngest Lakers player since Magic Johnson with a triple-double recording 13 points, 18 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assist in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

But the question is, where does Randle go from here? With Kobe’s retirement, the Lakers are looking for their next hero or heroes. But Kobe’s accomplishments will take more than one man.

The combination D’Angelo Russell, rookie small forward Brandon Ingram and Randle can be the new cornerstone the Lakers need.

With new head coach Luke Walton, the Lakers have the pieces to become the young Warriors with Randle playing the role of Draymond Green. Even Green thinks so himself.

“I think he can. I also think he has the potential to be better,” Green told reporters. “With the God-given gifts he has, he has the potential to be better. I’ll never stop working and I’ll continue to get better. But what is he, 21? That’s a lot of time to continue to grow.”

“The thing about him you can’t teach is his heart,” Green continued. “When you have that heart and type of dog in you, you’re going to work.”

Green is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors. Missing Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers was a huge loss for the Warriors in a series they could have sealed the deal on. Imagine if Randle can have that impacted on the Lakers.

He is a better rebounder and more athletic than Green, but lacks Green’s ability to score consistently and play defense.

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Randle has continues to do what made his more successful last season at a more consistent rate. Because one thing is for sure, Randle will have a big impact on whether or not the Lakers are successful this season.