After a difficult 27-55 season, the Lakers landed the seventh overall pick in the draft, selecting University of Kentucky power forward Julius Randle.
“I got to fulfill my dream of putting on a Kentucky uniform and now I’m putting on a Laker uniform,” Randle said Monday at the team’s annual media day. “Growing up a Laker fan, I couldn’t imagine anything to be this sweet.”
The young lefty said he’s heading into training camp with high hopes, while understanding there’s a sharp learning curve going from the NCAA to the pros.
“I’m just a 19-year old kid, making the adjustment to the NBA,” he said. “When you’re coming into the NBA as a rookie, you have to prove yourself. I know that and that doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t want anything given to me in the first place.”
Last week, General Manager Mitch Kupchak said that Randle, as a rookie, will have to earn his time.
To that end, Randle said he is prepared to come off the bench behind veteran power forward Carlos Boozer.
“He deserves what he gets because he’s put in the time and he’s been successful,” Randle said. “We’re both going to be on the floor, whoever starts or not; that’s not really my focus or worry.”
In recent weeks, Randle has had the opportunity to work out and scrimmage against his childhood idol, Kobe Bryant.
“I watched him so much as a kid,” Randle said. “I learned a lot more working out with him, rather than playing pickup with him.
“You just see how advanced he is, and the only the answer to why he’s so advanced, is that he’s put in the work,” he said. “He’s unbelievable.”
If Randle can quickly acclimate to the NBA, and find a way to make an early impact, perhaps Bryant will have some help as the team looks to recover from last year’s painful run.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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