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Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Warriors

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So, for the last three days I’ve been out of commission with a stomach bug. I’ve literally been bedridden. I haven’t eaten a thing and my brain is barely functioning enough to type complete sentences. I am on the mend, though, so here I am, doing the work of the people by previewing the next Lakers’ game.

Wait. The Lakers play the Warriors? Maybe I should have stayed sick another day.

The basketball gods have a way of putting things back into perspective. After winning three games in a row — the first time the Lakers have done that in nearly a full calendar year — the schedule makers send the best team in the league to Staples Center. Nothing humbles you like a trip from the Warriors.

What makes matters worse is that while the Warriors are getting back to full strength — Harrison Barnes and Brandon Rush both recently returned from injury and while Steph Curry is banged up, he is expected to play — the Lakers are listing both Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and D’Angelo Russell (illness/sore throat) as questionable.

If both sit out or are limited in how many minutes they can play should they be in the lineup, the Lakers are suddenly down (or featuring limited versions of) two of their better players who also double as key ball handlers and offensive facilitators. Against some teams, this might be manageable. But against a Warriors team who can dial up the ball pressure and feature the type of wing defenders they do, this can get problematic in a hurry.

However, absence does equate to opportunity. Lately, Lou Williams has been playing better. Jordan Clarkson has also been doing some positive things as a scorer and play maker. Julius Randle hasn’t been seeing eye to eye with his coach*, but he seems to relish playing against Draymond Green and some extra ball handling duties could help him find his stride.

Even if all that happens, though, the Lakers are not likely to win this game. The Warriors are the league’s best team (or, if you like, right there with the Spurs) and the Lakers, though winning more of late, match up with this team poorly. The Lakers do not defend the three point line well on one end and tend to run too many simplistic offensive sets that end in isolations on the other end. These are things the Warriors tend to take advantage of and the margin of victory in the games these teams have played recently reflect that (amongst other things, like, you know, talent discrepancy).

So, that’s that. There is not happy ending here. The best the Lakers can hope for is a close game where they are competitive for longer than expected with some of the young players showing some of their promise in the process. Let that happen and I’ll be happy. Or as happy as I can be after being in bed for 3 straight days and watching the Lakers lose a basketball game as my reward.

Where you can watch: 7:30pm start time on TWC Sportsnet and NBA TV. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.

*I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least give my two-cents on the latest Byron/Julius Randle flare up. Julius wants to play more and should be upset about not playing more. Any guy who you fashion a cornerstone player that would happily accept a 16 minute night when he’s perfectly healthy probably isn’t a guy you want as your cornerstone player. In saying that, if he’s pouting or not going to the huddle or being disrespectful, that’s not a good thing as understandable as you or I might find it. 

As for Byron, he’s not good at soundbites. He often puts his foot in his mouth or says things in an unnecessarily callous way which rubs people the wrong way. Being a hard ass when your team is winning is one thing. Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson used to do that all the time. Being one when your team is losing and singling out young players when you let your veterans skate is an entirely different thing and that’s what Byron is doing. I cannot speak to how this is received in the locker room or if it is wearing on players. Even if I were covering the team on the beat, I doubt I’d get anyone on the record to say anything negative. But I do know I wouldn’t find this endearing.

Lastly, Julius isn’t a good defensive player right now — he ball watches too much, doesn’t make quick rotations to cut off dribble penetration, plays too upright, etc, etc. Nance is better than him on that end of the floor and if Byron values that it makes sense to say so (he has) and to play Nance more (he does). But what also makes sense is to teach the Randle (and the rest of the young players) better defense. That is a key component of being a coach for a developing team — the ability to teach. Don’t bemoan their lack of fundamentals or how little they know or how much AAU or lack of College has hurt them. You are their head coach now; you and your staff have daily access to them. If you want them to be better at one thing or another, you need to teach it to them. 

So far, what I see is too much complaining about what the players aren’t yet. Again, I’m not in their shoes, but I’m guessing that doesn’t go over very well either.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marques says

    You can teach rotations, schemes, even fundamentals. You can’t teach effort.

    Not digging on a change of possession is effort. Watching a man on a straight line drive is effort, especially when you get the rebound and take off like you were shot out of a cannon.

    I get it, you want them to be good, I would live it also. But they have glaring issues, and most are not skill related.

    Part of the coaches job is to motivate, the only tools he has is playing time and shame in the media…he is using both.

    Maybe he should call 2K and get the ratings down to 50, then they might get it.

  2. rr says

    I agree with a lot of what DS said about Byron on this issue, but there is context as well. Drafting Nance, signing BB, Mitch talking playoffs–all of those things made it more likely that Scott would play Randle less than people might think Randle should be playing, and additionally, Byron is a veterans guy, mostly.

    I have never been a fan of calling guys out in the media; I didn’t like it when Phil did it, or when D’Antoni did it. I don’t recall Mike Brown doing it. And, yes, it looks worse at 8-27 than it would at 27-8.

  3. DubCeeSwag says

    Byron Scott’s comments about Julius Randle are total horses***. Randle should be annoyed about being taken out.

  5. Baylor Fan says

    Don’t tell Thibodeau that you cannot teach effort. He had people thinking that Boozer might be able to play defense.

    Good to hear you are feeling less bad Darius.

  6. Snarky George says

    An ESPN article about possible landing spots for Ben Simmons by Chad Ford. It’s called, “Ranking the potential Ben Simmons destinations, from best to worst fit”. Its an Insiders article so I reprinting the Lakers portion:

    1. Los Angeles Lakers

    The NBA’s most popular team has been heading in the wrong direction in the standings for years. And with Kobe Bryant heading toward retirement this summer, and the Lakers desperately need a star to build around.

    The guy who reminds scouts of a young Magic and who has already expressed interest in playing for the Lakers seems like the exact player they need. The appeal goes well beyond the marketing department. Simmons would be a good fit next to D’Angelo Russell. Most teams would kill to have a big guard and a big forward who can handle the ball and pass.

    Simmons wouldn’t fit as well next to Julius Randle, but Randle could end up being an important trade chip if the Lakers get the LSU phenom.

    Also, landing Simmons would mean the Lakers could wait another year or two to give up their protected pick to the 76ers, another win for L.A..

    Odds of winning lottery (if the season ended today): 19.9 percent

    http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14501977/do-lakers-celtics-pelicans-fit-best-lsu-ben-simmons-nba-draft

  7. Chearn says

    I recall another particular would-be ‘next’ basketball player that presumed himself more knowledgeable than the coach or any of the teams’ veterans including Kobe and Pau. He’s no longer in the league after he got himself traded from the team. His name is Andrew Bynum.
    Someone close to Julius Randle, maybe his girlfriend, should inform him that he might benefit from letting his game speak for him. He’ll have a chance in the sophomore all-star game to prove that he is the real deal by outplaying every other player in that game and winning the MVP award. Otherwise, he needs to discontinue placing himself prematurely as an unstoppable player as he did in the pre-season against Draymond Green. Since that game, Randle’s stock has plummeted while Draymond is mentioned amongst the candidates for league MVP.

    Julius started the season playing defense in the vein of MWP, getting steals in the open court for break-away dunks. It appears as though everyone in the organization is souring on him, MWP no longer gives him tips on the sidelines, and James Worthy ceased speaking of him in glowing terms. Has Julius’ ego supplanted his on-court capabilities? Only time will provide this inquiring mind with the answer to this question.

    I fully expect D’Angelo to play his requisite minutes because the flu will not keep him out of the game.

    Here’s hoping the Lakers make the Warriors earn a win rather than hand the victory to them in the first few minutes of the match.
    Anyone interested in Ben Simmons should watch the Kentucky and LSU game at 18:00 (pst). At the next level, Simmons will develop a consistent outside shot but may never become an elite defender. In basketball, to not be required to play defense, that player better be unparalleled offensively. This college freshman is that sort of player.

  8. Ben P says

    Another great read, Darius. Also, I appreciate the thoughtful comments from other readers. It’s great to hear the perspective of real fans and not unrealistic, fair weather types.

    I agree that Byron has taken a bad approach when trying to discipline/”teach” the young players; however, I do still believe it is important to keep them hungry. As great as JR is, he has always been a man playing among boys until this year. He is entirely too one dimensional. He has had an increased accuracy from 3 lately, but that’s a very small sample. As far as his drives to the hoop go, he almost seems like he is completely out of control. There are so many times that I cringe when he touches the ball, simply because I know that he is likely to stagnate the ball movement as well as commit a turnover or throw up an ill advised shot. Granted, he is a rookie, so some of this is expected. But, for him to become the cornerstone of the franchise moving forward, he needs to continue to work on his jump shot and defense.

    On a side note, his body language also needs to improve. I traveled to Memphis to see them play on Dec 27, and even when Julius was in the game he looked pouty. Even in the 4th quarter when he was the only rookie still out there getting some burn.

    I love his competitive nature, but these tendencies and habits simply need to improve.

    Lastly, Darius, I’m glad to hear you are feeling better.

  9. Archon says

    Let’s be honest about Randle, he’s a long way away from being a cornerstone player. He currently has one NBA skill, rebounding and a whole bunch of holes in his game. You can’t have the type of holes Randle has AND have a defensive intensity problem. It’s hard to justify giving a player minutes under those conditions even a young player on a bad team. Randle should spend the rest of the season focusing on being a good defensive player and getting points on hustle put backs and then spend the off season fixing his broken shot and working on a right hand.

  10. KevTheBold says

    Sorry to hear about your illness season Darius.

    I write and research on microbiology and health, and if you add ginger and green tea to your diet, you will drastically reduce the amount of microbial invasions of your body.

    Thanks for taking the time to struggle up and write these amazing articles for us to ponder over and hash out !

    Kev

  11. bluehill says

    That’s one thing I’ve also noticed about Randle – he does seem “pouty” as Archon puts it. I noticed it more at the beginning of the season and then it seemed to get better, but since Randle started coming off the bench again he seems to have regressed. There’s a line between being competitive and throwing a fit because you don’t get your way. Randle has problems understanding this and/or needs to learn to channel his frustration better. Yes, Byron may not be helping things, but Randle’s attitude isn’t either. Hope some of Nance’s approach rubs off on Randle.

    Feel better, Darius!

  13. Fern says

    Get better Darius!!! I saw that game and Randle was blowing defensive assignments and rotations left and right because he was looking to pad his rebound stats, he looks out of control, and his game has devolved into triying to barrel his way to the rim, and he does need to grow up, i like him but im not digging the attitude, he is not a star, he is a rookie so he needs to shup up,listen,learn and let his game do the talking for him…

  14. Anonymous says

    Chearn — I heard a clip on Petrie and Money where Randle spoke about BS. In the clip you hear him talking about not understanding his benching as ‘it’s not like I’m taking 25 shots a game.’

    It’s a direct poke at Kobe and how BS is hands off on him but can take anyone else to the media woodshed. I. Think this team could go sideways fast if this isn’t caught soon.

  15. Anonymous says

    BS double standards, double speaks and hippo racy while shaming and throwing the prize rooms under the bus in the media is a recipe for locker room issues.

  16. Chearn says

    Anonymous-it’s always been a problem with Kobe (ask Smush Parker, Brian Cook, and Luke Walton), his shots, and his shot selection but until another player wins one championship, they should shut their mouths and play. Kobe will retire in 40 something games it’s not like Julius is playing 82 games with the guy that shoots the most anyways.

    Even still, Julius has enough on his plate by making his presence known on the Lakers roster and a name for himself in the sophomore game. Since Randle is a Lakers draft pick, I support him. Hopefully, he and the rookies will develop on-court continuity offensively and defensively along with Lakers pride for the organization going forward. Phil Jackson lambasted Kobe in the media on several occasions and even wrote a best-seller about the man.

    As a starter, Julius became less active when scouting reports honed in on his inability to shoot or use his right hand. He was extracted from the starting lineup as scouts and the media nitpick a players’ deficiencies more readily than when they come in off the bench. Randle should use the shadow of the bench to work on his game. He should target the starting lineup for the next ten years and not worry so much about that position this year.

  21. Mid-Wilshire says

    Hibbert (1-6), Lou Williams (0-5), Randle (0-3), and Nick Young (0-3) are a combined 1-17. Not good.

    Clarkson’s playing well, though. I’m glad they brought him.

  22. KO says

    Randle value is diminishing under BS as fast as Bryon Scott and Jim Buss careers.

    No wonder Jason Kidd tried to knock BS out.

  23. Chearn says

    Additionally, Julius needs to find a better bench buddy than Nick Young not unless he’s intent on becoming a player traded to multiple teams. The two of them sitting together probably making disparaging comments about the coach with towels over their mouths is not a good look. Forget the coach ruining the rookies, let’s hope that Nick is not poisoning their behavior.

  24. Anonymous says

    Forget the coach ruining the rookies, let’s hope that Nick is not poisoning their behavior.

    —

    But you can’t trade the vets!

  25. Anonymous says

    Randle looks lost. He was fine before BS benched him. Certainly looks to me that Byron has created a rift with one of the players we need to be good.

    More and more convinced this rebuild is going to take alot longer than we all would have hoped.

  28. LordMo says

    Randle is immature and mouthy! Has not done crap or won crap!
    BScott is exactly right … Shut up sit down rook … Oh yeah play some D!
    This ain’t Kentucky and nobody is going to baby u big boy…. Grow up!
    U want ur spot back then take it back!

  29. KO says

    Guys that must go.

    Marcelo
    Young
    Roy
    Brown

    Young and Lou are 1 for 15 and the coach dosen’t care. Until post game when he blames young guys.

  31. Shaun says

    watched the LSU game – wondering if simmons could be a small ball 5 in the nba – with him and julius,dar,clarkson and perhaps our splash in FA harrison barnes we could he a true showtime team …. but wed need a new coach next year … not dantoni but maybe luke? …. wed be trying to be w gs type team playing solely small ball like they do whenever bogut is out. … also hibbert needs to stop shooting 20 ft bricks from the elbow …you like 4 i ches taller and 80 pds heavier than everyone else …. post up

  34. Craig W. says

    I watched the LSU game also. Wasn’t that impressed with Simmons. Just one game, but I suspect there is more than one talent in this draft, but maybe no franchise changers.

  35. T. Rogers says

    Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell are the “rewards” for the Lakers being terrible the last two years. Let’s not act like Randle is trying to crack the rotation of the 67-15 Lakers from 2000. The Lakers just got their “members” handed to them on a platter tonight. And the 3 game win streak not withstanding, this is what most of their games have looked like. And it is what most of them will look like the rest of the season. So it seems like the Lakers need to do more to bring Randle along.

    Because more talent is probably not coming through the door. Free agents are passing on the Lakers. And there is a real chance they won’t have a first round pick this season. If they are going to improve over the next season they need their #7 pick to improve. Publicly humiliating him (while looking the other way on Kobe) won’t cut it. Taking him off the floor when floor time is the best way to learn is also idiotic. Byron Scott needs to actually teach and develop. But that’s asking too much of him.

  36. rr says

    The last couple of games are a simple illustration of the importance of remembering who the other team is.

  37. Anonymous says

    Even good coaches sometimes single guys out and seem to pick on them. Phil was among the greatest ever and yet it seemed every year he selected a whipping boy or someone to vent on or to toy with.
    So it shouldn’t come as a shock to players when a lesser coach like Byron falls into such a pattern or simply differs with a player’s opinion of himself.
    My opinion of Byron is by now well documented but in his defense, the team’s record hasn’t exactly gotten worse with Randle coming off the bench.
    Most guys at this level have grown up playing for a variety of coaches and we all know some coaches can be tough to play for.

    Re Nick Young- I’d have to assume he’s asking his agent to get him out of Laker town, or he’s being told to sit tight and see if a coaching change makes a difference.

    It would be nice to see Luke back at Staples next year.

  38. Anonymous says

    Don’t be too hard on Randle. Every single one of us would be pouty if we had to deal with Byron Scott as our “coach.” JR isn’t dealing with a Phil or a Pop. Byron is awful. I wish the FO wouldn’t wait til the end of the season to get a coach who actually, you know, coaches… We all want 110% effort at all times, but I’m not surprised if we don’t get it from our guys riding the bench. Their leader doesn’t teach them anything, doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and sounds like an ignorant jerk every time he opens his mouth.

  39. Vasheed says

    When we drafted Randle my big hang-up on Randle was his defense. He’s not good at reading plays. He isn’t a shot blocker and can’t handle guys who can post him up.

    I thought he would be an offensive threat with his ball handling and ability to drive to the rim. I didn’t think he would continue to be in the post. My biggest disappointment has been that I thought his jump shot would be better than it has been in game. That lack of a reliable jumper has allowed defenses to take away his slashing game when they rightly give him space.

    I think Scott is right about Randle’s defense and at the same time find it insensible in that there is no doubt about Randle’s effort level. I would give a coins flip chance of Randle ever learning to read plays better and he will never ever be a shot blocking defensive presence. I don’t think he is a “cornerstone” piece but he is talented.

    On a side note Ben Simmons is like a better Randle. Better ball handler, better passer, better defense, but also some of the same glaring weaknesses. Most notably a lack of a working jump shot.

    I actually have been very impressed with Nance. He is a solid defender, reads plays well, has a quirky jump shot but is enough of threat to keep his defender honest, and his athleticism is through the roof. The scary part is that he is coming off an ACL injury and projects to be a better athlete next year. He doesn’t have talent that stands out like Randle but, he is a very well rounded player.

  40. Anonymous says

    Three days ago @ Staples at that season-ticket holder event, Mitch said: “This is a year that’s dedicated to Kobe and his farewell. From my point of view, it gives me complete clarity.”

    Given that, how likely is said farewell year going to be marred with the mid-season removal of Laker blue blood Byron Scott? (When I say “marred” I mean it in terms of tarnishing the brand).
    15-67? No prob, we were rebuilding with our young core. Firing the coach amidst this doesn’t seem to fit this narrative, regardless of his, err…, idiosyncrasies. He’a a Showtime Laker, we’re the Lakers, Kobe’s the Greatest Laker, these four kids are our next Lakers, etc…”wrapped with a bow” is a better Laker outcome than “toilet paper stuck to our shoe”.

    I’m glad Kobe and (at least for today) Byron are in that locker room. Well maybe “glad” is a bit excessive in regards to Byron, but here’s my point: unsurprisingly given their age, Randle and Russell have demonstrated immaturity issues. At times on-court, these trump whatever skillset they possess, per my repeated eye tests. I mean, swap Scott out for Brown/D’Antoni, and swap Kobe out for any crusty veteran in the league with similar stats this year. Without any vintage Laker gravitas in that locker room….yikes, that could be Sixer-esque…

  41. Fulofunk says

    Glad to hear you’re feeling better Darius.
    I appreciate your “*” insights as I’ve wondered just what kind of a teacher BS truly is. Defense has been lacking for many years and glaringly so under BS’ watch, but surely SOMEONE on staff can teach….maybe?
    I must admit, I was dreaming a little of Luke becoming the next Phil next year for us. I can’t see BS leaving before year’s end, especially in light of Mitch’s comments about Kobe ( and I agree to a great extent), so we endure a season where BS’ deficiencies are glaring, BUT, Kobe’s last year is a pleasure for me to watch – from Pre on through to Post game. I’m resigned to us losing, but it doesn’t suck as bad if our fellas compete every night…which brings me to LNjr.
    LNjr has been a shining star of an example of how to come to work every night. JW & AJ mentioned it again in the PG along with the coach with the glasses….my money is on him to be a definite building block for the future along with JC & DAR. JR im not so sure about, as mentioned in other comments above and in PG w/ JW & AJ…he has always been the BIG kid on the court, having his way, and now in the NBA he is playing against HOF caliber hugs nearly every game. He’s young and hopefully will learn, but hard to say if he will under BS’ style of teaching.
    One last thing…..TARIK BLACK in da HOOOUUUUSSE! I really hope he sticks. I like his attitude, I like his PG interview responses, I really hope he can make it with the Lakers…..just sayin’.

  42. Craig W. says

    I like Randle and want to see what he can do. However, he is not the 2nd coming of anything and has to earn his playing time – he hasn’t really done that to date. Sure he is powerful and talented, but there are no untalented players in the NBA, not even Sacre. The point is that Nance has proved a better starter to date – Byron was correct on this one – and he fits better with the starting unit.

    We fans tend to measure everything based on the wattage of the light, not on how the light affects the room. We are building a team, not a bunch of all-stars. IMO, that will be Randle’s biggest take-away from this season. Unless you are exponentially better than everyone else, you can’t get away with a single talent in the NBA, but you must be more well rounded – if you want to play a central role (not a role player) on a team.

  43. Fern says

    I totally agree with Craig, Randle has some monster games this season but it won’t take long to figure guys out in the NBA, he needs to improve and learn to deal with adversity, not liking the attitude right now…

  44. Anonymous says

    Many, many of you are missing the point of the Randle issue. He is not mad that he is being benched. He is mad that he is being singled out when there is another guy on the team that chucks 20+ misses a game and BS fails to single the guy out. He is not saying he is the 2nd coming of anything. He is implying that its unfair for coach to single out the young guys but stay silent as to Kobe. Yes, Kobe is a living legend, but that does not make him immune to criticism. Its all about balance. The young guys feel Byron is giving Kobe a pass – and he is. BS is just a terrible coach.

  45. Anonymous says

    Randle appears at a cross roads – in his 2nd year. Nance is a 23 year old rookie, Clarkson is a 23 year old and already a restricted free agent in his 2nd year. Russell is a 19 year old rookie.

    We don’t know what they are or will be. Yet a large contingent of posters are content that they are sufficient enough to build around and proficient enough to attract elite free agent talent. The point is that the Lakers should take a ‘whatever happens – happens’ approach to this year’s draft.

    I might argue that we have more question marks than we have answers and that closing any avenue to talent acquisition is a little premature.

    Much has been said about trading some vets and creating more playing time for the kids. This is a sound idea and has the byproduct of helping the Lakers maintain their 2nd worst record in the league status. The problem is that of the vets (Hibbert, Williams, Bass and Young) only Williams and Bass have any trade value (meaning that they would bring back anything that helps the Lakers). However, moving the two of them, though, does help create more playing time for Russell and Randle, which is a good thing.

    On a side note this BS and Randle thing is a product of the Lakers current situation. Byron is a dead coach walking and he’s tied to Kobe. The issue is that he employs a double standard of rules for Kobe (which there are none) and seemingly stricter rules for the other guys. Plus airing dirty laundry in the press is a little classless, in my opinion.

  46. R says

    Darius, hope you get well soon. Your malady is no fun, I hear.

    I thought I read somewhere the Warriors are leading the league in a metric that measures the average duration of a player’s touch. In other words, it’s a measure of how well – and how briskly – the team moves the ball. Any comments on this? I’ve been unable to learn more using search. The eyeball test suggests they are indeed great at moving the ball,
    obviously … perhaps comparable to our beloved show time teams.

  47. Baylor Fan says

    “We fans…” Speak for yourself. Randle has recovered from a frightening injury that put a lot of doubt on his having any kind of career. He has been in NBA shape since the first game and not favored his leg in any way. The fact that he pouts and acts out is on the coaching staff as much as it is on him. That type of behavior is best dealt with promptly and privately and not ignored or chastised in the press. The Lakers defensive rotations remain abysmal and they fall apart when their first line of defense is beat. Singling out one player is not fair no matter who it is.

    Nance is playing the same game he played in college. He is a Swiss army knife kind of player with no single outstanding skill. He fits in perfectly with the first unit that has issues passing, playing help defense, and rebounding. Ultimately, he may become a solid 6th man.

  48. TempleOfJamesWorthy says

    RE: Randle’s fit of petulance.

    I don’t know if it was directed at Bryon Scott’s handling of Kobe in particular, or just BS’s double standard for rookies and vets, but this is pretty common in the NBA and even in recent Laker history.

    I remember Andrew Bynum had MAJOR problems with the Kobe Bryant Kid Gloves Treatment. He once deflected crticism of his defensive effort by noting that if he rotated on defense like PhilJax wanted him to, the offensive team would be one pass away from “going downhill 3-on-2” (i.e. Kobe would fail to rotate and cover for Bynum when Bynum rotated to help others). Another time, he took a 3-pointer early in the shot clock out of nowhere. PhilJax pulled him from the game, and afterwards Bynum said, “It was a good shot. I can make it. And I’m going to take it again.” I took that to be a direct dig at how Kobe was allowed to break the offense and take whatever crazy lousy shot he wanted, but other Lakers were not.

    On the other hand, the Superstar Double Standard is a reality of the NBA. I remember watching a rerun of one of the Shaq-Kobe era playoff games, and the camera by the Lakers bench caught PhilJax screaming at Robert Horry during a timeout. The thing was, what Phil was screaming about (something about rebounding) wasnt’ Horry’s fault. It was SHAQ who had failed to box out or exert effort to chase a rebound. But PhilJax wasn’t going to get up in Shaq’s face. Instead, he screamed at Horry while glancing sideways at Shaq in the hopes Shaq would get the message. As I recall, Horry put up a weak protest, but I think he realized Phil was actually yelling indirectly at Shaq, and simply accepted the criticism.

    So, in that sense, Randle probably does need to “grow up.” Some teams do have coaching/management that treats both superstars and scrubs similarly (or at least make a show of it), but those are the exception, not the rule. So long as Randle is young/limited player, he’s going to be treated differently than established vets/stars.

  49. KevTheBold says

    All this negative talk about Randle, even one saying this was his 2nd year, when, for all practical purposes, it’s his 1st.

    He’s a rookie, with great potential, and areas which need work, like any youngster.

    It makes no sense to write him off, and make any proclamations or statements limiting his future.

    The best part of him, which is rare and places him above many, is not his athleticism, but good burning desire to compete.

    With the right coach, time, and patience, he has already shown flashes of the potential to become an all star on some team.

    Let’s hope it’s ours.