Los Angeles Lakers: Each starters’ Mamba Mentality challenge

Julius Randle: Win the Most Improved Player Award

There have been some notable players that have won the NBA Most Improved Player in recent years. Paul George, Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, C.J. McCollum and Giannis Antetokounmpo have won the last five awards. That is a pretty great group to be a part of and Julius Randle may just be able to join it.

Thus far, this challenge may be the hardest to achieve. While winning the Rookie of the Year certainly is a challenge for Ball, Randle has not taken home any prior accolades and is not a household name. However, Randle has reportedly been working very hard in the offseason, including working on his three-point shot and physique.

Randle is already very effective on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers. In 74 games played last season the young forward averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Antetokounmpo’s scored six more points, had 1.1 more assists and 1.1 more rebounds to win his Most Improved Player.

Randle is going to need to score around 20 points per game, rebound the ball around ten times and maintain his assists numbers. If he can do that, he will undoubtedly be a shoe-in for the most improved and could break through as one of the best power forwards in the league.

Randle seems to be one step away from breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming a legitimate threat.