Julius Randle eager to return

Jordan Clarkson was raving about Julius Randle dominating Laker summer practice and Russell added that Randle has added an outside shot to his arsenal.

“If Metta says you’re strong, you’re pretty strong”, he continued.

Russell talking about Lakers transition: “When playing with a lot of guys who aren’t used to playing with me, I feel like they all feel that way”, Russell said.

The Lakers real season is still months away, but with the NBA’s Summer League underway, there is plenty of talk about expectations going into the 2015-16 campaign, especially those surrounding second overall pick, ex- Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell.

Randle said earlier this week he has dropped about 15 pounds, leading Scott to joke to Randle recently when he spotted him without a shirt on that his “baby fat is kind of gone”. “I didn’t know him before….”

“Every time he played, he guarded Julius”, said Scott.

“I told him every rebound he gets he should push it”, Scott said, “because he has the ability to make plays for himself and for his teammates”. “Metta said that kid is super strong”.

At this point, Randle pencils in as the Lakers’ starting power forward alongside Roy Hibbert, although past year Scott opted to have him come off the bench behind Carlos Boozer.

However, it’s hard to miss Scott’s enthusiasm for Randle’s potential. “It was a blessing to be back on the court playing the game I love, so I can’t complain”.

The Lakers also have an undrafted center on the roster in Robert Upshaw, who was dismissed from Georgetown midway through the season for violating team rules. “Have confidence. Confidence is everything.’ And that’s one thing he’s got”. If Russell is going to be an elite player in this league, we should see some flashes of that in Las Vegas. Scott’s assistant, Mark Madsen, will serve as the summer league squad’s head coach.