Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Luke Walton Calls On Julius Randle To Be Team’s Enforcer
Lakers News

Lakers News: Luke Walton Calls On Julius Randle To Be Team’s Enforcer

Matt Borelli
Published: 01/19/2018
3 Min Read
Julius Randle, Carmelo Anthony, Lakers
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered yet another blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, just days after a disappointing showing against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers struggled on both ends and yielded a whopping 114 points to a surging Thunder team. As a whole, L.A. collected just 30 rebounds on the night, compared to the Oklahoma City’s team total of 54. The Lakers noticeably lacked their usual grittiness and toughness on the floor.

In just 23 minutes of action, Julius Randle led the way offensively for Los Angeles with 16 points. Though, all of his eight baskets came in the first half. Moreover, Randle collected just one rebound and committed three turnovers during the matchup.

After the game, head coach Luke Walton praised Randle’s play on offense but opined that he needed to be more physical on defense, via Spectrum SportsNet:

“Julius, he was good. Obviously, with Julius, I’ve said it the all year, my expectations for him are high. One of the these I challenge him to do is, we have a young team, and he’s our physical presence. He’s our guy that needs to bully other teams. He did that offensively tonight. Defensively, he, not just he, but we got pushed around. We need him to not necessarily be our tough guy, but our guy when we’re getting pushed around, pushes back a little bit.”

Walton also criticized the Lakers’ collective toughness after a poor rebounding effort against the Thunder. He echoed similar sentiments following the team’s loss against the Grizzlies, in which Walton stated that the Lakers weren’t mentally or physically prepared for the matchup.

Walton believes Lonzo Ball’s absence has played a role in the team’s defensive woes as of late, but made it clear that the team shouldn’t lack toughness without the rookie in the lineup:

“He definitely helps but we can’t, we shouldn’t be relying on our 20-year-old point guard to bring a toughness to the way that we play.”

The Lakers hope to turn the page and get back on track Friday night, when they return to Staples Center and host the Indiana Pacers for the first time this season.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Julius RandleLos Angeles LakersLuke Walton
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Lakers as a staff writer for Lakers Nation and holds similar responsibilities for Dodger Blue, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. Among Matt's all-time favorite Lakers moments include Kobe Bryant's 60-point performance over the Utah Jazz in his final NBA game, and Derek Fisher's game-winning buzzer-beater against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals. Follow Matt on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?