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Los Angeles Lakers Summer League Review: The Veterans

By Jackson Sanders

Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks forward Maurice Ndour (55) defends during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks forward Maurice Ndour (55) defends during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Julius Randle … looked physically imposing.

The scorching hot takes surrounding Randle mirrored the summer heat at times this offseason. The spectrum claimed the young forward was either a franchise savior or a future bum, and everything in between.

It’s understandable given that, A) he was part of discussions to be exchanged for DeMarcus Cousins, and B) he plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Those two factors placed the pseudo-rookie in an uncomfortable spot as he heads into his second NBA season with only 14 professional minutes played under his belt.

Comparisons to All-Star-caliber players and the spotlight of Los Angeles put immense pressure on an inexperienced player to become a star before he could step into a true NBA role.

As we approach what is essentially Randle’s rookie season on the court, growth is what we should be looking for. He showed enough of that in summer league to consider it a successful venture.

The biggest takeaway was this: Randle not only looks healthy, he looks downright physically imposing. Whether it was with his strength or his speed, he was getting to where he wanted to when he had the ball, at least the majority of the time.

Metta World Peace, who recently worked out against Randle, compared his strength/quickness combo to that of LeBron James. You can scoff at any comparison to LeBron — the two are not all that similar in the grand scheme of things — but his ability to take his man off the dribble could be his greatest tool.

But, in fairness, if Julius Randle is LeBron in the realm of speed and strength, he was equivalent to your local high school’s 10th man in terms of finishing throughout the majority of the Summer League. But, as the games went on, he was able to get his shots to drop; there’s that “improvement” stuff again.

There are plenty of things to watch for with Randle; an improved jumper, defense, and playmaking will be key to how high his ceiling can climb. But, for Summer League, it was important that he showed he was healthy. He did just that, and a lot more.

Next: Jordan Clarkson

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