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Lakers Season Opener: 5 Things To Watch For

By Keith Rivas

Oct 9, 2016; Ontario, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) and forward Nick Young (0) celebrate against the Denver Nuggets at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Lakers defeated the Nuggest 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Ontario, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) and forward Nick Young (0) celebrate against the Denver Nuggets at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Lakers defeated the Nuggest 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Julius Randle must exert himself

Dec 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) brings the ball up the court during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 126-97. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) brings the ball up the court during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 126-97. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

For the young core in L.A. to fully develop, Julius Randle must not only understand his role, but execute it.

To be fair, Randle only has one year of experience that really counts, as his initial rookie campaign ended early due to injury.

It would be wrong to consider Randle a leader of the team, but it would also be incorrect to let him slide in terms of production on the floor.

The Rockets have plenty of weapons, but the Lakers can stop them with good defense.

In just under 26 minutes per game against Houston, Randle averages just 12 points.

Scoring isn’t his forte or strength, per say, so the Lakers will have to do what they can with his input there. Where it really counts with Julius Randle is his rebounding.

Against the Rockets, he’s averaged 9.5 rebounds per game and he’ll need to have at least that to give the Lakers a chance at starting the season on a positive note.

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