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lakersfreak
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 Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Kobe listed as doubtful to play Saturday
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com
Kobe Bryant walked out of the Lakers’ practice facility on Thursday at a blistering pace. The last thing he wanted to do was slow down and talk to nearby reporters, who surely wanted to hear from the Lakers’ star about Lamar Odom’s tenuous health.
But Bryant’s quick first step does not mean he is healthy. The Lakers (1-4) listed Bryant as doubtful to play against the Golden State Warriors (1-2) on Saturday in San Diego after he missed Thursday’s practice because of a bruise in his lower left leg. Bryant left the third quarter of Tuesday’s game against Sacramento after getting kneed in his left leg.
“A little swelling,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said of Bryant’s injury. “Nothing real serious. We’ll see how it feels” on Friday.
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151015/lakers-kobe-bryant-listed-as-doubtful-to-play-saturday |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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NBA PM: Salary Cap Snapshot – $2.4 Billion in Contracts
by Eric Pincus - basketballinsiders.com
With the 2015-16 NBA regular season less than two weeks away, teams are gradually whittling down their rosters to the maximum of 15 players.
As of Friday, the NBA has a total of 558 players under contract for a maximum of 450 roster spots (at most 15 per team), assuming the Charlotte Hornets finally ink Damien Wilkins (as reported) before their trip to China.
Only the Phoenix Suns are within the required range with 15 players. Some teams may ultimately go as low as 13 or 14 players to start the year, which means at least another 108 players will be cut by October 24 (approximately 19 percent of the league).
Meanwhile, the NBA currently has a combined $2.4 billion in contracted players – an average of almost $80 million per franchise. Naturally that number will dip once teams submit their final rosters.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the highest payroll at $100.5 million, which doesn’t include a luxury tax bill in the $31 million range.
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-salary-cap-snapshot-2-4-billion-in-contracts/ |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Lakers Preseason: What We Know Now
by Mehdi Bouneb - lasportshub.com
Five games into the preseason and we have learned quite a few things from the Lakers.
Even though the team stands at 1-4, a lot of positives have come out from the games, as well as some aspects that need improvement.
Trying to be as positive as possible, the Lakers know that they’ll have to take their weaknesses and run with it if they expect to go anywhere.
And they should, seeing that Kobe Bryant is still willing to captain the ship.
So what have we learned thus far?
Here are my three main takeaways from the Lakers’ preseason so far:
http://lasportshub.com/2015/10/15/lakers-preseason-know-now/ |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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D’Angelo Russell, Byron Scott Address Lakers Rookie’s Role
by Serena Winters - lakersnation.com
Los Angeles Lakers No. 2 draft pick D’Angelo Russell hasn’t heard his name called with the starting unit, since he bruised his glute after a hard fall in the Lakers second preseason game against the Utah Jazz in Hawaii. Nick Young started in his place during the Lakers third preseason game (Russell sat out for precautionary reasons), and in the past two games, No. 34 draft pick Anthony Brown has been given starting spot while Russell has played with the second unit.
After the Lakers loss to the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, Russell admitted that his role change is something he needs adjusting to.
“I feel like I’m foreign to it right now, it’s different,” Russell said on Time Warner Cable SportsNet about coming off the bench. “If I’m out there with the starters, I know what I’ve got to do. When I’m out there with the bench, it’s a different role, so when I get established on what my role is, I’ll figure it out.”
http://www.lakersnation.com/dangelo-russell-bryon-scott-address-the-rookies-role/2015/10/16/ |
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Roon
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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| lakersfreak wrote: | D’Angelo Russell, Byron Scott Address Lakers Rookie’s Role
by Serena Winters - lakersnation.com
Los Angeles Lakers No. 2 draft pick D’Angelo Russell hasn’t heard his name called with the starting unit, since he bruised his glute after a hard fall in the Lakers second preseason game against the Utah Jazz in Hawaii. Nick Young started in his place during the Lakers third preseason game (Russell sat out for precautionary reasons), and in the past two games, No. 34 draft pick Anthony Brown has been given starting spot while Russell has played with the second unit.
After the Lakers loss to the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, Russell admitted that his role change is something he needs adjusting to.
“I feel like I’m foreign to it right now, it’s different,” Russell said on Time Warner Cable SportsNet about coming off the bench. “If I’m out there with the starters, I know what I’ve got to do. When I’m out there with the bench, it’s a different role, so when I get established on what my role is, I’ll figure it out.”
http://www.lakersnation.com/dangelo-russell-bryon-scott-address-the-rookies-role/2015/10/16/ |
"“I feel like the first unit is more of a controlled pace, trying to match the other teams intensity or the other team trying to match our intensity. The second unit is more like you see what you need to add to get that advantage against this team, what they’re doing in pick-and-roll defense or in transition, them not getting back, you see where you’ve got to capitalize on that, so in the second unit you try to attack that.”
He can see the weaknesses in the bench players game, but just tries to play hard against starters. Interesting quote! |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:53 am Post subject: |
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Russell, Kobe team up for new future with downtrodden Lakers
by foxnews.com
D'Angelo Russell's first NBA season also might be Kobe Bryant's last. Even before they've played their first real game together, the teenager and the veteran both were grateful their careers intersected with the Los Angeles Lakers.
''Just to be around a guy that's done what he's done, you can't help becoming a better player and a better person,'' said Russell, the second overall pick out of Ohio State.
Russell and Bryant are hoping the upcoming season isn't just a passing of a torch for a once-proud franchise on the hardest of times.
While NBA champions Bryant and Metta World Peace are back in the purple and gold for perhaps the last time, they'll have at least a season to work with the Lakers' tantalizing young core of Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
''It's good to be around them and get that youthful energy,'' the 37-year-old Bryant said. ''I'm excited for them. This is the beginning of their careers and their journey.''
The Lakers aren't expected to make the playoffs after enduring the worst season in a proud franchise's history, going 21-61 under coach Byron Scott last year. But to Bryant, the NBA's third-leading scorer and a five-time champion, returning to the postseason with a team in profound transition would be yet another career highlight and yet another defiance of expectations.
''I wouldn't put any limits on what we can do, because there's a lot of talent on this roster,'' Bryant said.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/10/16/russell-kobe-team-up-for-new-future-with-downtrodden-lakers.html |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Lakers vs. Warriors Preview: L.A. Looks To Get Second Win Of Preseason
by Alan Huerta - lakersnation.com
The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to get their second win of the preseason as they get set to take on the NBA champion Golden State Warriors at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA. This comes after their latest outing, which was a 107-100 loss against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Although the Lakers are 1-4 thus far in the preseason, their record doesn’t resemble how well they’ve played in spurts. Jordan Clarkson led the way against the Kings with 17 points, as Lou Williams added 16 of his own off the bench. Williams has been the instant scorer for the second unit that the team expected him to be when they signed him in free agency. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has scored in double figures in all five games thus far. This blended group of veterans and prospects have shown promise as Lakers star Kobe Bryant even alluded the young core as being “far ahead of the curve” in the rebuilding process.
Bryant, who is entering his 20th season after three consecutive season-ending injuries, suffered a left leg contusion during the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss that forced him to be ruled out for the rest of the game. However, besides the scare, the injury doesn’t appear to be severe, but Bryant will still not play Saturday against the Warriors for precautionary reasons.
http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-vs-warriors-preview-l-a-looks-to-get-second-win-of-preseason/2015/10/17/ |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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Lakers Abandon Game Vs. Warriors Due to Safety
by Shahan Ahmed - nbclosangeles.com
The Los Angeles Lakers led 85-70 on the world champions Golden State Warriors with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter when both teams and the NBA officials decided the game should not go on. A hockey game the night before led to a wet floor at the Valley View Casino Center combined with an archaic floor forced the premature ending.
The Lakers announced that all fans in attendance would get a full refund if they take their tickets to the point of purchase after noon on Monday. Without exception, every player and coach asked about the floor said that abandoning the game had been the correct decision.
Even though they only played three quarters, the Lakers put together their strongest showing of the preseason.
In the first quarter, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson took the challenge of facing the 2015 NBA champions head on and did not disappoint. League Most Valuable Player Stepeh Curry put up nine points and three assists in the opening period, but Clarkson edged his counterpart with 13 points and five rebounds in the opening stanze.
Randle played beyond his years and led all scorers with 14 points in the period to go along with three rebounds.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/Lakers-Warriors-preseason-game-cancelled-333735721.html |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Video: Larry Nance Jr. Has Hops, Posterizes Festus Ezeli
by Ryan Cole - bleacherreport.com
Larry Nance Jr. can jump!
The Los Angeles Lakers' rookie forward comes from a lineage of leapers, as his father, Larry Nance Sr., is a former NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion.
Saturday night in San Diego, Nance Jr. showed us that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with this dunk. He absolutely destroyed Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli on this third-quarter play, contributing to an 85-70 win.
It might be the dunk of the preseason thus far.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2580191-larry-nance-jr-has-hops-posterizes-festus-ezeli |
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lakersfreak
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Lakers beat Warriors in game cut short by slippery court
by Broderick Turner - latimes.com
The hodgepodge collection of talent the Lakers and Golden State Warriors put on the floor Saturday night at the Valley View Casino Center kept slip, sliding away.
After the fifth slip in the game by Golden State's Leandro Barbosa in the third quarter, referee Gary Zielinski told Lakers Coach Byron Scott and Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton he was canceling the exhibition game.
The Lakers led, 85-70, when the game was stopped with two minutes 16 seconds left in the third, and Los Angeles got the victory.
“The officials said they weren't comfortable with the slippage of players,” Scott said after his team improved to 2-4. “They felt that there was a possibility of players getting hurt.”
Four players had slipped in the first half, causing the officials to tell both coaches early in the second quarter that if it happened again, they would consider stopping the game.
As soon as Barbosa went down, the officials huddled up with Scott and Walton and called the game.
The fans booed for a long time after the game was stopped, but the Lakers said fans can get a full refund on their tickets after noon Monday by contacting the seller.
“It was pretty bad,” said Julius Randle, who had 14 points and three rebounds. “On some areas of the court, you had to be cautious. Player safety is first and foremost.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-warriors-slippery-court-20151017-story.html |
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lakersfreak
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:28 am Post subject: |
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Luke Walton expects ‘great things’ from Kobe
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com
The man remains the Lakers’ main attraction. But Kobe Bryant missed Saturday night’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at Valley View Casino Arena because of a lingering bruise in his lower left leg.
The Lakers have not considered Bryant’s injury serious despite his absence in the past two practices. But it seems understandable that concerns have emerged, considering Bryant played just 41 games in the past two years amid season-ending injuries to his left knee and right shoulder. Yet, Golden State interim head coach and former Lakers teammate Luke Walton anticipates Bryant writing another compelling chapter in his 20th and perhaps final NBA season.
“There’s certain rules for NBA players and then there’s Kobe Bryant. I learned at a young age playing for the Lakers that nothing is impossible for Kobe,” said Walton, who played with Bryant from 2003 to 2012. “When it comes to Kobe, I learned to throw my reasoning out the window and have the belief he’ll be successful again.”
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151017/luke-walton-expects-great-things-from-kobe-bryant |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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Five takeaways from the Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors
by Broderick Turner - latimes.com
The Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 85-70 in a game Saturday that was abbreviated because of a slippery court in San Diego. Here are five things we learned:
1.) Even Larry Nance had to smile and say, “Wow,” when he was shown a videotape of his nasty dunk over Golden State center Festus Ezeli on Saturday night at the Valley View Casino Arena in San Diego.
Nance has been looking for a signature moment during the exhibition season, for something to make him feel like he belonged in the NBA after the Lakers selected him with the 27th overall pick in the first round.
His dunk during the Lakers’ 85-70 win over the Warriors in a game that was stopped with 2:16 left in the third because of too many players slipping on the court was it.
“That felt pretty good,” Nance admitted. “Coach (Byron Scott) drew it up in the huddle and I knew that play was something that we practice. It’s for me to take advantage of my athleticism. Sure enough, the lane opened up wide, I got two steps down. I knew it was going to be something special.”
Nance, who finished with eight points, said, “That was my first NBA dunk.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-warriors-takeaways-20151017-story.html |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Julius Randle Continues To Impress
by Jackson Sanders - hoopshabit.com
The Los Angeles Lakers have defeated the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors. In preseason action, yes, but the confidence is slowly building for this young team.
The Warriors were without Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut, among others. The Lakers sat out Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, Tarik Black, Brandon Bass and Jonathan Holmes.
One big name did play for the Warriors: MVP Stephen Curry. He finished with 19 points in 22 minutes, while Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 17 points of his own.
Larry Nance Jr. made his first highlight play of the preseason with a monster jam over Festus Ezeli, perhaps the play of the year so far in the yet-to-be-started NBA season.
Here are three takeaways from the Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors:
http://hoopshabit.com/2015/10/18/los-angeles-lakers-julius-randle-continues-impress/ |
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lakersfreak
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Julius Randle's love for basketball keeps him driven toward greatness
by Drew Garrison - silverscreenandroll.com
When you love something, you'll fight for it, and Julius Randle found himself scuffling and tussling with Draymond Green minutes into the Los Angeles Lakers' shortened-game victory against the Golden State Warriors. Draymond quickly realized the Lakers' budding forward had no intention of backing down, shoving Julius following a loose ball foul that left the two frontcourt players tangled and testy. Randle responded by filling up 14 points in the first quarter, grinding out the Warriors' defense with his physical style of play.
"Julius doesn't have any fear," Lakers head coach Byron Scott said of Randle battling with Green. "I think he knew from the get-go that Draymond is one of the best defenders in this league, especially against perimeter guys, and he took that challenge. He went at him right away."
Did Coach Scott like Julius showing he's got some fire behind him? "Of course," he beamed before closing out his postgame press conference with a smile spread across his face.
It was more of what the Lakers are learning to expect from Julius, who's taken his return by storm. Whether it's the Lakers' training and athletics staff praising the work he puts in, a veteran like Roy Hibbert labeling him as the future face of the NBA, or the film speaking for itself, everything is clicking for Randle right now. The entire organization doesn't seem to be running out of praise for him any time soon either, as those who've watched the steady progress are all ready to go to bat for him. Every story comes back to how hard he's worked since the injury, and how great it is to watch him flourish.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/10/18/9563047/la-lakers-julius-randle-progress-quotes-growth |
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la4win
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| lakersfreak wrote: | Julius Randle's love for basketball keeps him driven toward greatness
by Drew Garrison - silverscreenandroll.com
When you love something, you'll fight for it, and Julius Randle found himself scuffling and tussling with Draymond Green minutes into the Los Angeles Lakers' shortened-game victory against the Golden State Warriors. Draymond quickly realized the Lakers' budding forward had no intention of backing down, shoving Julius following a loose ball foul that left the two frontcourt players tangled and testy. Randle responded by filling up 14 points in the first quarter, grinding out the Warriors' defense with his physical style of play.
"Julius doesn't have any fear," Lakers head coach Byron Scott said of Randle battling with Green. "I think he knew from the get-go that Draymond is one of the best defenders in this league, especially against perimeter guys, and he took that challenge. He went at him right away."
Did Coach Scott like Julius showing he's got some fire behind him? "Of course," he beamed before closing out his postgame press conference with a smile spread across his face.
It was more of what the Lakers are learning to expect from Julius, who's taken his return by storm. Whether it's the Lakers' training and athletics staff praising the work he puts in, a veteran like Roy Hibbert labeling him as the future face of the NBA, or the film speaking for itself, everything is clicking for Randle right now. The entire organization doesn't seem to be running out of praise for him any time soon either, as those who've watched the steady progress are all ready to go to bat for him. Every story comes back to how hard he's worked since the injury, and how great it is to watch him flourish.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/10/18/9563047/la-lakers-julius-randle-progress-quotes-growth |
Julius must have worshiped Kobe growing up. You can tell he understands the hard work Kobe put in and wants to put in as much himself. He is getting that obsessed work ethic level like the Mamba. He is going to be a force in this league. |
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Truck Turner
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| la4win wrote: | | lakersfreak wrote: | Julius Randle's love for basketball keeps him driven toward greatness
by Drew Garrison - silverscreenandroll.com
When you love something, you'll fight for it, and Julius Randle found himself scuffling and tussling with Draymond Green minutes into the Los Angeles Lakers' shortened-game victory against the Golden State Warriors. Draymond quickly realized the Lakers' budding forward had no intention of backing down, shoving Julius following a loose ball foul that left the two frontcourt players tangled and testy. Randle responded by filling up 14 points in the first quarter, grinding out the Warriors' defense with his physical style of play.
"Julius doesn't have any fear," Lakers head coach Byron Scott said of Randle battling with Green. "I think he knew from the get-go that Draymond is one of the best defenders in this league, especially against perimeter guys, and he took that challenge. He went at him right away."
Did Coach Scott like Julius showing he's got some fire behind him? "Of course," he beamed before closing out his postgame press conference with a smile spread across his face.
It was more of what the Lakers are learning to expect from Julius, who's taken his return by storm. Whether it's the Lakers' training and athletics staff praising the work he puts in, a veteran like Roy Hibbert labeling him as the future face of the NBA, or the film speaking for itself, everything is clicking for Randle right now. The entire organization doesn't seem to be running out of praise for him any time soon either, as those who've watched the steady progress are all ready to go to bat for him. Every story comes back to how hard he's worked since the injury, and how great it is to watch him flourish.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/10/18/9563047/la-lakers-julius-randle-progress-quotes-growth |
Julius must have worshiped Kobe growing up. You can tell he understands the hard work Kobe put in and wants to put in as much himself. He is getting that obsessed work ethic level like the Mamba. He is going to be a force in this league. |
Yeah he did. Julius has said in multiple interviews that Kobe was his favorite player growing up and he sees Kobe as the greatest ever.
There's even a story I read about a young Julius being upset because he under performed on junior high school team, begging the coach for an opportunity to prove himself again and putting in late and early workouts to do so. |
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resgraph27
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:41 am Post subject: |
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| Truck Turner wrote: | | la4win wrote: | | lakersfreak wrote: | Julius Randle's love for basketball keeps him driven toward greatness
by Drew Garrison - silverscreenandroll.com
When you love something, you'll fight for it, and Julius Randle found himself scuffling and tussling with Draymond Green minutes into the Los Angeles Lakers' shortened-game victory against the Golden State Warriors. Draymond quickly realized the Lakers' budding forward had no intention of backing down, shoving Julius following a loose ball foul that left the two frontcourt players tangled and testy. Randle responded by filling up 14 points in the first quarter, grinding out the Warriors' defense with his physical style of play.
"Julius doesn't have any fear," Lakers head coach Byron Scott said of Randle battling with Green. "I think he knew from the get-go that Draymond is one of the best defenders in this league, especially against perimeter guys, and he took that challenge. He went at him right away."
Did Coach Scott like Julius showing he's got some fire behind him? "Of course," he beamed before closing out his postgame press conference with a smile spread across his face.
It was more of what the Lakers are learning to expect from Julius, who's taken his return by storm. Whether it's the Lakers' training and athletics staff praising the work he puts in, a veteran like Roy Hibbert labeling him as the future face of the NBA, or the film speaking for itself, everything is clicking for Randle right now. The entire organization doesn't seem to be running out of praise for him any time soon either, as those who've watched the steady progress are all ready to go to bat for him. Every story comes back to how hard he's worked since the injury, and how great it is to watch him flourish.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/10/18/9563047/la-lakers-julius-randle-progress-quotes-growth |
Julius must have worshiped Kobe growing up. You can tell he understands the hard work Kobe put in and wants to put in as much himself. He is getting that obsessed work ethic level like the Mamba. He is going to be a force in this league. |
Yeah he did. Julius has said in multiple interviews that Kobe was his favorite player growing up and he sees Kobe as the greatest ever.
There's even a story I read about a young Julius being upset because he under performed on junior high school team, begging the coach for an opportunity to prove himself again and putting in late and early workouts to do so. |
This is what is going to make watching the Lakers special. Missing in the league are players who have a true fire in their belly, athletes who are single-midid and know no fear. Players like Kobe. This characteristic of Kobe's is one of the main reasons I'll miss him when he leaves. That intensity, that drive, that focus. Knowing that JR has a dose of that, perhaps in good measure, gives me hope that someone with Kobe-like DNA will still be in the game of basketball, and particularly on the Lakers roster. |
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yinoma2001
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:49 am Post subject: |
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Randle strikes me as the guy who Kobe would be happy to hand the torch to as he retires. He may not be the #1 Laker going forward (he could be, I'm more open to that possibility now) but certainly has the Kobe ethos down pat.
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danzag
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Kobe's the last man standing. There are no more players like him. |
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resgraph27
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| yinoma2001 wrote: | | Randle strikes me as the guy who Kobe would be happy to hand the torch to as he retires. He may not be the #1 Laker going forward (he could be, I'm more open to that possibility now) but certainly has the Kobe ethos down pat. |
Totally agree. Glad to someone is ready, and willing, to accept the mantle. |
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resgraph27
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| danzag wrote: | | Kobe's the last man standing. There are no more players like him. |
I agree. There will never be another athlete in this sport who has all the unique qualities Kobe possesses. And like I said, I can think of NO ONE who has the fire in his belly, the passion to win, at all costs. That puts his body on the line, leaves everything on the floor - he has shown us that time and again. Supremely confident and unfazed, paying no attention to the pundits and nay-sayers.
His single-mindedness, talent and focus remind me of another great athlete who did amazing, incredible things in his chosen sport - the late, great Aryton Senna. Will never be another driver like him. These two are cut from the same cloth.
But… and that a BIG but… if Randle has a shred of that, if he can catch the fire, if he has that PASSION, then we're in for some interesting times. |
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