Los Angeles Lakers: Why Julius Randle Was The Right Pick

Falling short on the “Smart” choice

Don’t start …. I know what you’re saying.

Shane, you publicly said — numerous times — that Julius Randle would not be the best selection for the Los Angeles Lakers.

True!  Very, very true!  Great memory, for those who recall.

Well, he wouldn’t have been.  The guy that people have been high on during pre-draft workouts, and his freshman year, was Marcus Smart.  Smart made the questionable decision to return to Oklahoma State for his sophomore season, when he should have turned to the pros.

Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics stomped their feet down when time came for the No. 6 overall pick on Thursday night.  Still unsure of their future plans for Rajon Rondo, who will be a free agent in the summer of 2015, Ainge wasn’t letting his backcourt completely dissolve.

Drafting Smart with their No. 6 pick was the correct call for the Celtics, and it ended the Lakers’ chances at getting a successor to Kobe for Los Angeles’ guard play.  Rondo isn’t exactly hyper or galvanized to undergo the rebuild with Boston and Brad Stevens.  He loves the qualities Stevens offers, but he’s well aware that his distributing talents are needed — and wanted — elsewhere.  Ainge needed a high-caliber prospect to carry over the point guard duties if Rondo is dealt, or just walks away.

The Lakers, on the other hand, would’ve loved to reinvent their backcourt for whenever No. 24 hangs up the jersey.  Or maybe I’m the only one that would’ve praised it.  Hollywood, forever through history, has obtained that exemplary guard that changes the franchise.

Through the 60’s and early 70’s, who was at the helm?  Jerry West, being such a legend that he’d be winning Finals MVP’s while losing to Boston.

What about the 80’s?  Oh Magic, nobody’s forgetting you throughout this sports’ future.

Late 90’s and 2000’s?  That guy named after a steak is still giving people fadeaways that take breaths away.  It’s in the Laker tradition, and I thought guard was the way to go in 2014.

Since it didn’t happen, you have to take the best possible player, right?

Mitch Kupchak isn’t a stranger to making the right decision.  He pulled off the trade to bring in Pau Gasol when Bryant became impatient with competing in the West.  He orchestrated what should have been a landmark move, bringing in Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to form the best Big 3 on paper.  That failed, but it was given a chance.  Two frontcourt stars were brought to Los Angeles, because of Mitch.

Add a Big Blue splash to that list.

Landing Randle:  A-

Julius Randle fell down to No. 7 in this brimful draft, much to the surprise of everyone covering it.  Orlando forced people into a anger and questioning when they chose raw athleticism, Aaron Gordon, at No. 4.  For a second, Joel Embiid’s reaction to landing in Philadelphia at No. 3 was thought to be confusion.  Both Orlando and Philadelphia should’ve been dying to have Randle’s presence, even if Embiid is the greatest 7-footer entering the league.  Nerlens Noel isn’t going anywhere in the coming weeks, at least until Sam Hinkie even witnesses him in 5-on-5, regular season competition.

For Los Angeles, this was no time to blow a draft selection.

Do you remember the last time these Lakers actually owned a halfway valuable pick?  Sure, Jordan Farmar in 2006 wasn’t anything to sneeze at.  But No. 10 overall in 2005, Andrew Bynum, is the last time anything phenomenal resulted from a Lakers draft pick.  Yes, I said “phenomenal,” because two championships resulted from it in the long run.

Randle enters the category of big men that Kupchak has received, and both sides should feel extremely lucky he’s in Los Angeles.

Noah Vonleh,  — 6’10” power forward that averaged 11.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game for a team that didn’t reach the NCAA Tournament — ended up in Charlotte, playing next to Al Jefferson.

The Lakers, and their fans, should be fortunate the Randle route is upon them.  Vonleh likely would have been the choice if Randle was gone at No. 7, too.

In terms of attitude, playing style, and aggressiveness, Randle gets the nod for each one.  Vonleh doesn’t have the experience of winning, as Randle does under one of the NCAA’s most prized coaches in John Calipari.  Through the adversity Kentucky fought through last season, there was one consistent performer … and one common denominator;  Randle and his 24 double doubles.

That set Kentucky’s single season freshman record, and if you’re breaking records in the Bluegrass …. you’re in for a future.  Ask the New Orleans Pelicans.

Just as there was anticipation for Randle landing in LA, there were concerns.

Vonleh was head and shoulders the better shooter, and the player with the better offensive touch.  Randle shot just 17 percent on his jumpshots, while Indiana’s Vonleh escalated over 40 percent.

“But wait, he can’t shoot from the perimeter!”  Actually, false.  Vonleh took 1.7 3-pointers per 40 minutes, and shot a staggering 48.5 percent.  He was hellaciously efficient.  Without a terrific looking shot and very little lift from his legs, Vonleh was the ultimate “stretch four” that everyone vomits about.  And, he would impose his will on the block, delivering a hook over both shoulders when needed.

The problem?  Or should I say, blessing, for the Lakers?  Randle is twice as physical, twice as imposing.  He also is better in the heart of decision making, and putting the ball on the floor.  While both of their freshmen seasons were efficient, Vonleh accumulated a turnover percentage of 18.6, while owning a usage rating of 21.4 with the Hoosiers.  Randle?  Just a 16.1 turnover percentage, with a usage rating of 25.4.

You could even look at from a win shares perspective, but that heavily favors Kentucky, who won 12 more games than Indiana.  Ever figure it was because of Randle’s interior dominance, overpowering everyone, that they found themselves playing for a Conference & National title?  Randle’s offensive win shares reached 3.5 with the Wildcats, with Vonleh earning 1.6.  Win shares estimates the number of wins contributed by a player, and that holds definite value since Kentucky stormed all the way to the finish line of March Madness.

In the meat of the argument, you find yourself evaluating more than just their offensive games.

Although the Lakers are primarily about creating fierce teams on the hardwood, they care just as much about your psyche.  Being the potential “next guy in line” when Bryant sails into the sunset, means you need the proper personality.  You need the confidence, the knowledge of the game’s history, and willingness to learn from your ascendants.

Randle not only brings it to Los Angeles …. it’s the mentality he grew up with.  His mother didn’t name him “Julius” for nothing.  Yeah, look over at Dr. J for that one.

“The teams that passed on me will regret it,” Randle said immediately during his raw reaction.

He doesn’t care about the negative criticism, just like the man he learned from.  “Growing up a huge Lakers fan, die hard Kobe fan, being able to finally play for this organization, what can I say?  It’s amazing.”

Randle’s frame, massive arms, and impressive mobility — putting the ball on the floor — all roused the Lakers during his workouts.  However, it was more of how he carried himself and how hard he worked, that won everyone over.

"“I think he’s been criticized with his jump shot a little bit,” Kupchak said.  “But, we feel with repetition, that’s not going to be a problem going forward at all.  The bottom line is that he plays, and competes, at a very very high level.  He loves contact.”"

In fact, Lakers fans should be ecstatic Mitch didn’t pull the trigger on anyone else that went in the top 10.

Nik Stauskas, who went higher than expected at No. 8 to Sacramento, isn’t the type of player Los Angeles was hoping for in a stacked draft.  Stauskas is a lights out shooter that will make any team pay, but the Lakers were hellbent on getting a franchise changer and cornerstone in this draft.  They would have hit a home run if they drew better in the lottery, but you can’t always get what you want.

Randle is also a better light on the Lakers’ dark days than Elfrid Payton, who was selected at No. 10.

Payton was a surprise out of nowhere in the last month, slowly rising on Mock Draft boards until he was heavily considered by lottery teams.  Los Angeles plans to make a run at Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, but we know that’s not falling in their lap.

Next, a lucrative deal will be offered to Kyle Lowry, an All-Star snubbed point guard the Lakers would admire.  With Lowry still on the table and the duo of Steve Nash + Kendall Marshall likely returning, Payton wasn’t worth the gamble.  9 out of 10 executives making decisions would choose Smart over Payton anyway, and it was safer to go with size (Randle).

That left the Lakers with only one option that made sense. 

NBA Comparison for Randle?

When you have pick opportunities that scream “Do it!  Or you’re insane!”  — you don’t hesitate for a second.  And when the pick is one often compared to Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph, it becomes even more clear cut.

Don’t believe the comparisons are fair?

Randle’s body is a mere 6’9″, 250 pounds entering the league — at age 19.  Zach Randolph?  6’9″, 260 pounds — at age 32.  Don’t tell me Randle doesn’t fit that term we’re all sick of:  “NBA ready.”

"“I’m my own player, I try to be myself,” Randle said of the comparison.  “I don’t model my game after anybody, and I’ve always relied on being myself.  But, I couldn’t be more humbled to be compared to a great player like him.  It’s definitely an honor.”"

Does that sound familiar?  While Kobe surely modeled his game after Mr. Jordan, he wouldn’t come out and admit it.  He’s always said it was an honor just being mentioned in the same category as Jordan.  Same case with Randle and Randolph.  Heck, the two even LOOK alike.  Like Pat Riley said, “Get a Grip!”

Randle is intelligent, and doesn’t come off as the type of player that’s going to cause trouble.

Whether that’s in the locker room, or on the court, he’s not going to be a troublemaker.

Just as he’s already filled with a gob of natural talent, he’s willing to learn more.  He wanted to be a Laker.  During the struggles the purple and gold have suffered, I’m not sure many Top 10 guys wanted to be a part of this organization.  One did, and one will.

Oh yeah, and he isn’t too fond of those leprechauns over in Boston.

Does he feel any hate toward his former teammate, James Young, for now joining the rival Celtics?

“I don’t hate him, personally, I’ll say that.”

Terrific move, Lakers.