We’re quickly approaching the NBA Draft, only two months away, and so we are running out of weeks to showcase prospects. That being the case, this week we will zero in on one of the league’s top-five picks. While Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker have dominated everyone’s attention, and rightly so because of their high ceilings, but there is one guy whose name is always mentioned immediately after: Julius Randle of Kentucky.
It’s funny, when it was thought that Parker was expected to go back to Duke and was perceived to be off the board, I immediately began to realize I’d be perfectly happy if Randle fell to be the pick to take. I think he too can be a top player on a contending team.
One way I’ve heard scouts describe Randle is that he is trouble—for the opposition. He can catch on the blocks and shoot, face the basket or drive to the rim. And once he’s driving, it’s a 6’9” 250 lbs. train coming at you.
On the boards, he’s relentless. He is everything you would expect a body of his size to be and does not do anything like take plays off to hinder his ability. Randle led the NCAA with 24 double-doubles in 40 games. He is as reliable as it gets, as scouts have compared his motor to be much like Kevin Garnett’s.
Jump shooters lose their shots at times, but Randle can’t lose his game because his physical presence and strength will not disappear. The only concern would be if he can be a starting power forward or if he’ll need to move to the wing. If he does, his shot will need to improve. It is not awful, but it just is not a natural skill of his. Same goes for ball-handling.
Randle can be a great, steady play for a team if he fulfills his potential, but could be somewhat of a disappointment if he does not improve his defense. He needs to stay in shape to do this, and I think he will, but his defense just needs to be more consistent within the game. If he does that, he will go from being a good player to a great player.
If there is one interesting note some scouts have thrown out there, is that his motor could be fooling us. He may be a talented player, but some have wondered whether his motor was so relentless he just overpowered fellow 18, 19, 20-year olds as a “bully”. They have said this is much like Shabazz Napier, not being as talented as his relentless play suggests.
If you want a vote of confidence and reassurance, he was the top prize in the top recruiting class last year. He’s had eyes on him for much of the last few years and has not dipped in production. The kid seems for real.
Pro Comparison: Carlos Boozer
The Verdict: I’m in if Wiggins or Parker are off the board. I’d be very satisfied with having Randle in the lineup and think he can ultimately blossom into one of the league’s most reliable post players. He in some ways seems like a bigger, stronger Thaddeus Young, especially with his touch of the left hand. Imagine him paired alongside fellow one-and-done Kentucky Wildcat Nerlens Noel down low. That is a solid start defensively. That plays into what Brett Brown wants to do, especially with his big defensive point guard in Michael Carter-Williams.
