Fourth-year forward Julius Randle has had to adjust to a different role with the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The Kentucky product is now a reserve coming off the bench while Larry Nance Jr. is the starting power forward for head coach Luke Walton.
Randle, who has started his entire career up to this point, wasn't happy about the move and has made that clear to the coaching staff. Although the 22-year-old isn't thrilled about being one of the first players off the bench, it seems as though it has motivated him with a few impressive performances thus far.
On Tuesday, the Lakers were able to come out on top against a good team in the Detroit Pistons with Randle making an impression in limited time on the floor. Walton talked about Randle adjusting to his new role and the impact it has made for his team.
“He has been really good ever since we have started playing him in that backup five role,” Walton said of Randle. “He has just been playing with great energy. Defensively, he is switching onto point guards and containing and staying in front. He can change games and he did tonight with the way he came in and played with that second unit in the first half. He had a very solid night for us again and he has done that the last three out of four games, in my opinion.”
Randle finished with a team-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists in the win over the Pistons in only 17 minutes of playing time. He was asked after the game whether he believes he is playing at a different speed in comparison to everyone else.
“Yes,” Randle said. “My focus is to come into the game with a tremendous amount of energy and focus on how my energy affects the game. It works out for me.”
The Lakers are now sitting at 3-4 on the season with the win over the Pistons being a potentially major step forward for the young squad. Randle and company were able to put it together on both ends of the floor on Tuesday paving the way for what this team may look like the rest of the season when engaged.
Los Angeles will now head on the road for one game on Thursday to take on the Portland Trail Blazers before heading back home to host D'Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets in the second game of a back-to-back on Friday at the Staples Center.
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