The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 17-point second half deficit against the Indiana Pacers, but they lost in the final minutes of the game despite Kobe Bryant’s heroics. One player who has played well since rejoining the starting lineup is Julius Randle, who had 15 points to along with 19 rebounds.
Randle has played really well as of late and head coach Byron Scott has taken notice. In a post-game interview after the Lakers loss in Indiana, Scott made mention of Randle’s impressive play according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Byron: "Julius really he’s been fantastic, if you look at his stats, besides his turnovers, he’s playing just great basketball." (on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 9, 2016
The young Lakers core continues to develop as the season progresses and they are finally becoming accustomed to playing with one another. Randle has averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds in his last 10 games. The rest of the young players continue to develop with one another as the season is beginning to wind down and D’Angelo Russell is also expected to return to the starting lineup sometime after the All-Star break.
Randle has stepped up his productivity with his increased minutes since Larry Nance Jr. was taken out of the starting lineup due to injury, but Randle should remain in the starting lineup even when Nance Jr. returns after the All-Star break.
Although the Lakers have dropped their last two games, the young players have shown promise and have been incredibly productive. Randle and Russell are playing with a lot of confidence and their improved play should entice big free agents to come join them in Los Angeles. The future is bright in Los Angeles and it all starts with Randle, Russell and Jordan Clarkson.