Los Angeles Lakers power forward Julius Randle has been somewhat forgotten about this summer. Jordan Clarkson got his big contract in free agency, meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr., Brandon Ingram, and Ivica Zubac all got plenty of attention playing for the Lakers Summer League team.
This has left Randle somewhat in the background in the eyes of some fans, but that doesn’t seem to bother the third-year forward at all.
According to Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, Randle says he prefers to simply let his game on the court do the talking:
“I’m not much of a talker unless I’m on the court,” Randle told Southern California News Group on Wednesday after practice at UNLV. “I want to let my work ethic and the work I put into the game speak for itself. “I don’t have to tell anybody what I’m doing. I’ll just go out there and do it.”
While Randle’s Summer workouts and development isn’t on display for the fans like some of the other Lakers players, Randle has been hard at work improving his game, and he plans on doing the same throughout the season:
“I put a lot of work into it so far throughout the summer and I’m going to keep getting better at it,” Randle said. “The key for me is to continue the same work throughout the season. I think I’ll be fine.”
The areas of improvement for Randle were pretty clear going into the offseason. Developing a consistent jumper, becoming more comfortable with his right hand, and improving his defense, especially off the ball, were the things most believed Randle should work on, and by all accounts he has been.
Randle has also had the chance to measure himself on the USA Select Team where he has been matched up with the likes of DeMarcus Cousins and Draymond Green, as well as having the opportunity to pick the brain of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Ingram and Russell have often been talked about as the two players who will lead the Lakers back to glory, but if Randle makes the improvements he is capable of, the Lakers could improve quicker than expected.