Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle’s Rehab Progressing
By Marcus Bass
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Julius Randle is on his way back to the hardwood.
Randle understands that’s a long term process. Fracturing your tibia in the first regular season NBA game played is a harsh dose of reality. It’s filled with an advanced understanding of what it takes to make it in this league, and what’s to be endured if Randle decides to stay.
He wants to make a return to being active on the Lakers roster. Although it won’t happen this year, Randle’s making certain he has a shot next season.
Randle is finally walking without crutches although he seemed unsure if it was the right time. Randle told the Los Angeles Times:
"“Honestly, I don’t even know if I’m supposed to be off crutches. The doctor said to go at your own pace. My pace was to get rid of them immediately.”"
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Randle has also been working out on an anti-gravity treadmill. He’s pushing himself daily and slowly regaining strength in his leg that has fully healed from season-ending surgery. He’s learned his first major NBA lesson, and it’s proved to be the most important in careers that last in the league.
Randle has now grasped the importance of taking care of his body.
"“There are things that I know I need to work on, and (I’m) just watching how guys take care of their body throughout the course of a season, stuff like that. It’s little things that I know will help me next year for sure.”"
At 19-years of age, Randle was selected with the Lakers seventh pick in the previous NBA draft. A standout player at Kentucky, Randle was in prime position to assume a starting role deeper into the season. Most expected he would overcome Carlos Boozer on the depth chart as the season progressed.
Sustaining a broken leg injury derailed his plans for this year, however Randle has remained in consistent communication with Lakers head coach Byron Scott and has received full support from the Lakers staff.
"“I talk to Coach all the time,” Randle said. “(He said) just to stay patient with it. He knows I’ll come back stronger. But he also says, ‘Don’t use this time as a vacation or whatever you want to call it. Use this time to learn and grow as a player. You know what you need to work on to prepare for the next season. Use that as preparation.’”"
Unfortunate for Randle but advantageous for the Lakers, there are only six players currently on the payroll for next season. Currently in 10th place within the western conference and 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Lakers are probable to have another high draft pick — possibly higher.
A healthy Julius Randle, Kobe Bryant (maybe) a star free agent and another rookie lottery selection can be enough to begin the u-turn for the Lakers. With no clear strategy in saving what looks to be soon-to-be submerged season, a fresh start for 2015-16 is the idea fueling the most optimism.
Randle is at the forefront of that notion.