With the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Julius Randle. Dressed in a gray suit and black bow tie he took his seat for the post draft presser. He seemed more excited than any player I’d seen that night and it was because he’s going to a legendary organization led by a legendary player, Kobe Bryant.
While most may be nervous to be a rookie under the stern and hard working Bryant, Randle seemed ready and very sure of himself. “I’m gonna learn a lot, he may get tired of me because I’m going to be bugging him trying to learn stuff from him,” Randle said.
When asked about how he would handle Bryant who demands a lot from his teammates, Randle said he does the same as well, referring to his days with the Kentucky Wildcats. “Holding each other accountable and putting the extra work in, is what I had to do,” he said.
Though Randle seems grateful, the Lakers should be as well to have such a player fall into their laps. Randle piled up double-doubles at Kentucky averaging 15 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. At 6-foot-9, 234-pounds, his strength, power and passion was demonstrated each night. Randle is certainly suited to handle the Lakers rebuilding process and his confidence is enough to withstand the wrath of Bryant. “I heard Kobe was a little tough on rookies, but I don’t care,” Randle said.
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
