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While there were glimpses of the “top of the key, size-up and drive”/”grab and go” player that Knicks fans know so well, Randle did a majority of his damage off of post-ups, which made up 20% of his offense at Kentucky ( compared to 12.9% last season) and on the offensive boards, almost completely eschewing midrange or three-point shooting in favor of bully-ball. A nagging ankle injury limited him in the NCAA tournament and was one of (though maybe not the only, given what we’ve seen the last few years) the reasons his production in the final two games was well behind his usual dominance.īut that dominance came in a very different form than we’re used to seeing from the 6’9 forward.
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Throughout his lone season in Lexington, Randle established himself as a dominant offensive rebounder and around-the-basket scorer, leading the team in usage, scoring, free throw attempts, and rebounding. He joined a Wildcats recruiting class widely considered to be one of Calipari’s best and helped lead them all the way to the NCAA Championship game, which they lost to Shabazz Napier’s UConn Huskies.
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Julius Randle arrived to the Lakers following a one-and-done year at Kentucky, which he had entered as the number two recruit in the country (Joel Embiid was 14th, behind Wayne Seldon, both Harrison twins, Kasey Hill and Chris Walker, Christian Wood was 48th, and Zach LaVine was 51st, for those keeping track at home). It was the first crossroads he was to face as an NBA player, but there were many still left to come. The injury would keep him out the rest of the year, in which time he got two separate surgeries – one on the right leg and one to remove a pin from a fractured right foot that kept him off the court for all but the final five games of his senior year, which he returned from to lead his team to a national championship. “But, I mean, I cry for 10 minutes, then I’m good.” Randle credited Kobe with being one of the main people to get him out of what he called his “pity party.” “I’ve cried a couple times about it,” Randle said. The sentiment was reinforced by Lakers great “Big Game” James Worthy, who called him up at midnight to tell him the story of his own broken tibia as a rookie. “Your rehabilitation and your mindset starts now,” Bryant told him after reminding him that other greats had suffered similar injuries and come back stronger, not only referencing his own Achilles tear, but also fellow Los Angeles power forward Blake Griffin, who had missed his entire first year only to be named to five straight All-Star teams in his first five years playing. Later that night, Kobe was in his text inbox. The following day, head coach Byron Scott would describe the scene that played out in a private room in Staples Center following the game, saying he was “basically holding him and just listening to him cry.”īefore that, back on the court, as team trainer Gary Vitti wrapped Randle’s leg to keep it immobilized and the medical staff got the stretcher ready for him, Kobe Bryant was in his ear. He’d heard the pop he knew what had happened before the doctors did. The ball was poked free and both teams were off and running the other way – everyone except for Randle, who remained down, leaning against the stanchion and grimacing in pain. He jabbed left and took two hard dribbles right, drawing the helpside rim protector as he exploded into his man’s body and attempted to dump the ball off to his center. Julius Randle caught the ball in the high post and sized up his defender, all but licking his lips at the speed advantage he knew he had. Where does the embattled Knicks star go from here? Julius Randle’s time in the league has been marked by ups and downs.