Even though we told you not to forget about Julius Randle, not having him do much of anything basketball related since April can make that hard. We got glimpses of Russell, Nance, and Ingram at Summer League. We even got a taste of Jordan Clarkson at the Drew League. But nothing from Randle.
With the opening of training camp, that’s going to change. Soon we will get snippets of Randle practicing and getting clips of him scrimmaging. We’ll also get clips of him practicing his shooting. You know, like this one:
Randle was working on his deep ball after practice and had it rolling while I was ?: pic.twitter.com/V4pzeUmZUu
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 27, 2016
(h/t to @LakersReporter and @Lakers for the video)
While I will restrain myself from getting too excited about watching Randle nail a bunch of 3’s in a row — after all, even Timofey Mozgov can do that — I will say it’s nice to see Randle working on this part of his game and seeing some success at it. Further, his shooting motion looks compact and smooth while his lower body shows good balance with a strong base.
There are several key areas Randle can make strides in if looking to become a more well rounded player, but hitting the outside jumper might be the most important one. Yes, even more than finishing with his right hand near the basket. A better jumper not only means Randle takes less of a pounding by getting him baskets farther from the hoop, but it ultimately means defenses respecting him more which will only open more driving lanes.
We all know Randle’s off the dribble work is the strongest part of his game to this point, so any skill building which will make that part of his game even easier should only mean more on court success.
Of course, Randle still has a ways to go. Hitting shots in practice — especially with no defense on him and when in rhythm — is one thing. Doing so in a game situation within the construct of the offense while dealing with all the other live action variables is quite another. But the only way to get to that point is by continuing to work on (and succeed at) it, which the clip above shows.
Mid Wilshire says
Very nice. I counted eleven in a row before he missed one.
Clay Bertrand says
I too am restraining myself Darius but damn, his whole shot is more fluid. No hitches now. Its not pretty, but it looked pretty effective. In game is different but I’d rather see him draining 11 in a row in practice than bricking it!!
Randle has been putting in noticeable work this off season yet he is not being heralded as much as D’Angelo. Maybe because Russell ran in Summer League and looked good while Randle as a “3rd Year Player” did not. But this is very much Randle’s second year as well ON THE COURT and he seems to have put in a lot of work without a ton of fanfare.
For a guy who racked up a decent number of Double Doubles as essentially a Rookie last season, if he adds that jumper and more confidence in his right hand as it appears he has, he will be tough to handle.
DonFord says
All the sober caveats are appropriate and sensible. ….
But dang!! He’s just hitting those practice 3s like they’re nothing, butter slipping off a knife …
SO much possibility this season, a team -bursting- with subplots (and they’re basketball-related for a darn change on this soap opera of a franchise!).
MT87 says
So much potential if he can just do that a bit in game. Glad to see he has really put in the work over the summer.
Clay Bertrand says
Today is the first day of 2-a-days………Its gonna get real now! Up and Backs are NOTHING!! Time for some LINE DRILLS???!!!
Even as cool as Luke is and as progressive as his style appears to be, there is still the dirty business of CONDITIONING. Obviously, the better shape these guys stayed in thru the offseason means less pain at this time of year. But Scrimmage Shape, Drew League Shape, Pro Am Shape, Summer League Shape are NOT NBA Regular Season shape. These guys need to get themselves right ASAP.
This isn’t Shaq using the season to get into shape. We have to take advantage of our youth and hopefully be able to have some sustained energy. It might not be a bad idea to develop a 10-12 man rotation if we are going to play more up tempo to keep everyone fresh. I wonder what Luke will settle on rotation depth wise???
smokedaddy says
I’d agree with Darius that his stroke looks really smoth. Compact? I’m not so sure. Looks like he’s starting his motion around mid thigh level which is not ideal. But a big improvement in fluidity & accuracy from what I see.
ED 10 says
They can`t afford to play Julius tight so he should get some open looks from the 3pt line. I`m more interested in what he does 15-18ft when he has room.
Vasheed says
ED 10
Randle in college was asked to play predominantly in the post. However, in High School he had been a more versatile player. He has shown some range before in practice. I’m waiting to see how he looks on the court in real game situations. Developing a mid range shot and his right hand should have been the top 2 priorities last year.
wwlofficial says
Vegas has the Lakers winning odds at 24.5. My pick is at 27, what’s yours?
david-h says
Los Angeles is not the motor city but practices at laker camp should always include the Motown sound. There’s something in the vibe that’s for everybody…EVERYBODY !
here’s one for starters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxHMHrWJ2SE
Warren: I say closer to 30 wins
Go Lakers
Vasheed says
wwlofficial
32, why? It is a “magic” number.
Clay Bertrand says
Vasheed wwlofficial
Vasheed, Love the reasoning brother!!!
Now to clarify Warren’s question at hand, Vegas or rather some betting house in Vegas, has set the OVER/UNDER for Laker wins at 24.5 for the upcoming season.
I am not going to predict a number here. Nostradamus I am not. But I will say that if I were a betting man, I would bet the OVER.
I’m not saying they will win MANY games OVER 24.5 mind you. I am saying that I believe honestly, in my mind not in my heart, that the subtraction of Kobe and Byron along with Hibbert, coupled with the additions of Luke, Mozgov (Yes MOZGOV!!!!) and Deng, will give the Lakers more than 7.5 wins.
Yes, there is something of an “Escalator Effect” at play here:
While the Lakers, standing at their level seem to have improved, so too have the teams standing on the steps above them. However, the Lakers improvement, unlike most other teams, will result both from addition and subtraction to the degree that their strides will be reflected in sort of a COMPOUND IMPROVEMENT. In other words, IMO, they will still improve relative to their competition even though their competition themselves will be improved.
SO I say, OVER 24.5 wins for us.
matt24 says
27 is a good number.
MT87 says
wwlofficial 25 sounds about right to me. Although if Randle really can hit 3’s this year with something like league-average consistency I’d guess at 33 or so.
fern16 says
Good to see them hitting them in practice. I doubt that’s gonna translate to the season in a really meaningful way for the time being. That’s a work in progress with a lot of work to be done. Im more concerned and i think it’s more important that he start using his right hand more effectively. That’s gonna be key…