Coming into the NBA Draft this year, Julius Randle was considered one of the most NBA ready prospects in the entire draft class. Coming to the Lakers, who don’t have much of a team right now, Randle is expected to have an immediate impact.
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Randle had his introductory press conference today at the Lakers practice facility, and has expectations of being an immediate contributor according to our own Serena Winters:
Julius Randle: “a starting position is something I have to earn…but I think I can contribute right away."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 30, 2014
The Lakers organization has to be encouraged by statements like this. Randle wants to make an immediate difference for the team, but he also understands that he will have to work hard to get where he wants to be.
Most people have already penciled in Randle as the starting power forward for the team, but he knows he still has a long way to go. He expects to earn his spot in the lineup.
What the rest of the Lakers lineup looks like remains to be seen. The Lakers will be extremely active in free agency, already having a meeting set up with Carmelo Anthony, and having back-up plans ready in case they fail to bring him or LeBron James in.
Regardless of who else is on the team, Randle has given the impression that he will do everything possible to be one of the best players on the court. Coming from a rookie, that’s all fans can hope for.
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Lakers Forward Julius Randle First Phone Conference