Julius Randle Should Be The New Face Of The Los Angeles Lakers
Who will be the next face of the franchise for the Los Angeles Lakers? D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram seem like the logical options, but Julius Randle deserves serious consideration.
Since Kobe Bryant retired last season, there’s been a lot of discussion surrounding who would be the Los Angeles Lakers‘ new face of the franchise. With plenty of potential on the roster and little proven star power, it was clear it would be some time before a frontrunner emerged.
While that still hasn’t happened, a few contenders have pulled away from the pack — although none of them is surprising.
The top three options to take over as the face of the Lakers are Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, in no particular order. All three have had very different seasons so far, but all possess the upside and natural talent to become the next star of the Lake Show. However, as we all know, there can only be one (unless you’re the Golden State Warriors).
If I had to choose, I’d say that Randle should assume Kobe’s throne.
Through the first two months of the season, Randle has taken massive steps forward in his development. With the help of new head coach Luke Walton, he’s emerged as one of the NBA’s top young forwards. His combination of swagger, athleticism and scoring potential has the league worried about the type of damage he can do in coming years.
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That success has spurred some fans to bump him to the top of the “face of the franchise” conversation, and I’m all for it.
Now don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to like about the other candidates.
Ingram is more potential than production at this point, but has the tools to be a superstar. He’s a great shooter, has overwhelming measurables and seems to be a smart, instinctive player. The progress has been slow and steady during his ongoing rookie season, but the future is bright for the 2016 second-overall pick.
When it comes to Russell, also a former No. 2 overall pick, the ceiling is very high. It also helps that most assumed he’d take over for Kobe as the go-to guy after showing flashes of greatness as a rookie. However, he’s a bit inconsistent and has spent most of the early 2016-17 campaign battling injuries. You can’t ascend to superstar status while watching from the sidelines.
More than anything, Randle appears further along in his development. He’s putting up big numbers on a nightly basis, and has embraced his new leadership role under the tutelage of Walton. The former Warriors coach has made it a personal project to turn Randle into the next Draymond Green, and it’s paying early dividends.
Eventually, someone is going to have to take the reins in Los Angeles. Whether that’s Randle, Russell or Ingram, it needs to happen sooner rather than later if this team is going to take full advantage of its young, explosive roster.
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I believe Randle is the guy the Lakers can rally behind. Walton obviously has his back, and the rest of the roster is responding to his leadership. By the end of the 2016-17 campaign, the former Kentucky star could very well solidify his status as the new face of the franchise.
Until that time comes, the speculation will continue.