Randle: The Rising Tide Amid Lakers' Sea of Change

By Kevin Ding - Senior Writer

Kings grow accustomed to grand views from their castles and thrones. It's only natural to be a bit spoiled by so much status and more than your share of success.

Accordingly, Lakers fans who've come to relish the intense excitement of championship contention could be excused for not understanding–or even believing–there could be beauty in the beast known as "rebuilding."

But as you find yourself admiring the ferocity with which he finishes around the basket or how deftly he switches to stymie scorers both big and small, unable to miss how Julius Randle has gotten so much better, you are feeling it. Perhaps you find yourself, even as various names draw speculation to come fill the Lakers’ summer salary-cap space, shaking your head and being drawn to the Lakers retaining Randle, no matter what.

Part of that is simply what a valuable player into which Randle has made himself. Much of it, though, is that he has made it with the help of the Lakers' organization, under the watchful eye of uneasy Lakers fans. Randle has fought through all sorts of adversity that no one but diehard team followers cared about…to the point now of establishing a secure footing in this game and becoming a consistent force in this league.

Kobe Bryant, Randle's childhood idol, supported him with detailed advice through the arduous process of physical rehab and critical area of building mental toughness. Mitch Kupchak stimulated him by asking to email him written reports on basketball strategy, which led to Randle being studious enough to start his own personal notebook of observations. Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka and Luke Walton tipped the pivotal domino for this season's success by imploring Randle last spring to get into such great shape that he could reach the "best possible version" of himself.

Julius battling Karl Anthony-Towns in 2014 Summer League

Randle was the franchise's highest draft pick in 32 years. He didn't just wobble as he took his baby steps in the NBA, he suffered the misfortune of breaking his leg in his very first game and being put out for the season. Then he struggled with the team losing so much. He soul-searched as he tried to carve out his individual role.

Now he's killing it.

This is the silver lining of rebuilding, the solace you must take when the team doesn't have title aspirations yet. In lieu of championships, you'd better savor life's smaller victories.

And it can be pretty gratifying to watch as a young player goes from this…to this…to THIS!

That's what has come to pass with Randle, who happens to be the Lakers' only long-term investment from their rebuilding process.

Nary a player remains from Randle's first Lakers team three years ago–or even Randle's second Lakers team two years ago.

Stephen Curry was reminded Tuesday how rarely the Golden State Warriors used to win once upon a time, and he interjected: "Trust me, I remember," before noting he's the only one in his locker room of champions to recall that pain of not even making the playoffs.

Randle is the only evidence of the Lakers' overall struggle and the incremental progress in recent years.

"The fans have definitely seen me grow," he said, "and I want to continue to grow."