Julius Randle encountered a test arguably just as challenging as adapting to the NBA or handling Kobe Bryant’s demanding expectations.

The Lakers’ rookie had to prove on NBA TV’s “The Starters” that he knew his Bryant trivia after professing himself as a Kobe fan growing up. It may not be challenging to answer whom the Lakers traded for to acquire Bryant’s rights from Charlotte in 1996 (Vlade Divac). Or the origin of Kobe’s name (a Japanese steakhouse). Or when Kobe won the NBA Dunk Contest (his rookie season).

But any slip up might reveal Randle’s expertise on all things Black Mamba may not be as sharp as he professes, leading both Bryant and a legion of supporters giving him a collective death stare. For Randle’s sake, however, he passed the test.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com