With Kobe Bryant having turned into one of the worst basketball players in the league in his last season, the Lakers’ legend’s retirement meant only one thing for the team: a lack of leadership. While Bryant’s methods were often criticized, it was clear that he was willing to say anything in order to get the best out of his teammates, often with varied results. More importantly, he led by example, becoming legendary for his unmatched work ethic.
So with Bryant gone, the young Lakers need a similar voice in the locker room and a similar example on the basketball court. Fortunately for them, it appears that they already had him on the roster.
Julius Randle has slowly become that player for the new era of the Lakers. The third-year forward has refined his skills greatly since last year’s often rough season, one which could effectively be considered his rookie campaign.
But Randle has been more than one of the Lakers’ best players. He has also been the one to light the fire under the team through his toughness. The power forward spoke to The Vertical’s Michael Lee about his role on the team:
“I don’t back down from anybody,” Randle, 22, told The Vertical about his reaction to what Cousins called “some friendly UK love” last month. “Cous is my boy, though. But in the heat of the battle, I don’t care who it is. From night to night, I’m going to battle.”
“It’s about me bringing that edge, that tenacity. That fire,” Randle told The Vertical.
Randle has done just that. He has stood up to established veterans in the league like DeMarcus Cousins and Tyson Chandler and has often been the player to not lose his composure in those instances.
It’s been a night-and-day revival for Randle who last year looked dejected after nearly every loss and lost confidence as his head coach benched him early in the season.
Now under Luke Walton’s free-flowing offense and simultaneously relaxed and intense environment, Randle has been able to thrive. He has often been compared to Draymond Green, and has been treated similarly by Walton, due to his basketball skill and size.
But Julius Randle is becoming the Lakers’ version of Green from a leadership perspective as well. That’s just as important for a young team.
