Julius Randle’s game is unaesthetic (like his face oooh sick burn) but the stats back up the assertion that it’s effective. He’s currently averaging an even 20/10 per 36 minutes on 55% shooting. It seems like he’s a decent player, if not an outright good one. So why do Lakers fans in general and Luke Walton in particular seem to have it out for this guy? He’s taken concrete steps to improve his game by limiting the midrange jumpers and doing more work inside.
Randle’s lumpy, frog-like face might have something to do with it, but it can’t be the whole story. Does Randle take too many shots from players who have true All-Star potential? Did he walk in on his coach jacking it to Japanese cartoons? Has he requested a trade that we don’t know about? Does the fact that he’s playing like prime Elton Brand right now give the Lakers ownership PTSD flashbacks to Brand’s Clippers days? Did he make a big stink about being moved to the bench in favor of Larry Nance Jr. and thus face the wrath of his coach?
It might be the last one, but wouldn’t it be cooler if it were one of those others?