Luke Walton pleased with how Julius Randle, Larry Nance have worked on their mid-range game

Lakers forward Julius Randle has worked with an unnamed shooting coach to develop his jumpshot this offseason. (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Lakers forward Julius Randle has worked with an unnamed shooting coach to develop his jumpshot this offseason. (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Defenders rarely offered a solution whenever Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. leaped toward the basket. It usually became inevitable Nance would throw down a thunderous dunk.

Defenders occasionally found ways to limit Julius Randle’s imposing power. Force him to his right hand. Double team him. Yet, Randle often overcame both tactics because of his brute strength and playmaking skills.

Despite those highlights currently capturing the value Nance and Randle bring, both players channeled their energy on something else this offseason. They spent plenty of time at the Lakers’ practice facility working on their mid-range jumper in hopes to add another coveted skill once training camp begins on Sept. 27.
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Byron Scott hopeful solid Monday practice pays dividends Tuesday

New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams, left, collides into Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson during Sunday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Knicks forward Derrick Williams, left, and Jordan Clarkson of the Lakers collide during Sunday’s game at Staples Center/AP photo by Alex Gallardo

Lakers coach Byron Scott made no bones about it Monday at practice. If a player doesn’t give the effort he wants, he won’t be on the floor during winning time.

Scott wasn’t happy with the effort of young guns Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle in Sunday’s 90-87 loss to the visiting New York Knicks at Staples Center. So they sat in the fourth quarter when the Lakers were trying, yet failing, to pull out a win.

Scott said he was pleased with the way his team practiced Monday, however, and he’s interested to see how that will play out Tuesday night when the Lakers (14-53) host the Sacramento Kings (25-40).

“It was pretty good today,” Scott said. “Obviously, we talked about the lack of energy and lack of effort in the first half of the game, and the difference from the first half and the second half. We showed a few clips of the second unit and how they played compared to the first unit, so today’s practice was pretty spirited.

“Guys got after each other pretty well and we’ll see if it translates into tomorrow.”

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant preaches importance of ball movement, developing young players

The concept caused Kobe Bryant to laugh loudly. The Lakers’ star went on a monologue stressing the importance of ball movement and developing the team’s young players. Then the irony hit him.

Isn’t Bryant the same player who cemented a reputation as a high-volume shooter with little regard for team play?

“Can you believe I’m saying this [stuff]? Are you kidding? I’m a kid that grows up and suddenly sounds like his parents,” Bryant said with a loud chuckle following the Lakers’ 102-91 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday at Staples Center. “I never thought I’d see the day where I become the voice of ball movement-reason. I never thought I’d see the day where I’m preaching that stuff. That’s crazy.”
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Byron Scott preaches patience on D’Angelo Russell and young players

Two games into his rookie season, D’Angelo Russell’s play has become as much discussion as the Lakers’ struggles as a whole. The guard has as many assists (four) as turnovers.

After scoring 13 points and only turning the ball over once against Sacramento, Russell showed fewer nerves and more improvement in head coach Byron Scott’s eyes, especially in his decision making.

“He’s 19 years old and played in two professional games. It’s going to take a while to understand what this league is all about,” Scott said.

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Lakers’ Julius Randle unfazed during fall in preseason loss to Utah

HONOLULU — Nothing stood in Julius Randle’s way as he leaped toward the basket.

The Lakers’ forward had an open lane to throw down a thunderous dunk after D’Angelo Russell threw a no-look bounce pass. Randle felt fully comfortable bulldozing his way inside with his brute strength. And he no longer looked limited with a surgically repaired right leg that left him sidelined for nearly his entire rookie season.

But then Utah forward Trevor Booker fouled Randle from behind, sending the Lakers’ forward crashing down on the same leg that he injured nearly 11 months ago. Hence, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant could not leap out his seat fast enough to attend to Randle.

“You damn right I did,” Bryant said following the Lakers’ 90-71 preseason loss to the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Stan Sheriff Center. “If I was fast enough to catch him, I would.”

The incident may have left the Lakers skittish. But it left Randle amused as he recalled thinking “nothing” as he took a fall that sparked gasps among the nearly partisan 10,300 watching in person and the countless purple and gold faithful observing around the world.

“I was fine,” Randle said. “I didn’t think I hurt myself or anything. I came down on my right leg, didn’t I? I think I came down on my right leg. I was more worried about getting back up.”

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Lakers’ Julius Randle expected to miss season after surgery on right leg

"Lakers#30 Julius Randle broke his leg on a play in the 4th quarter. The Lakers played the Houston Rockets in the opening game of the 2014-2015 Season.  Los Angeles, CA. 10/28/2014 (Photo by John McCoy Daily News )"

“Lakers#30 Julius Randle broke his leg on a play in the 4th quarter. The Lakers played the Houston Rockets in the opening game of the 2014-2015 Season. Los Angeles, CA. 10/28/2014 (Photo by John McCoy Daily News )”

Lakers rookie forward Julius Randle is expected to miss the 2014-15 season after having surgery on his right leg on Wednesday.

This offers a devastating blow to the Lakers on multiple fronts. The Lakers saw promise that Randle could develop into a top prospect after selecting the former University of Kentucky standout seventh overall in this year’s draft. The Lakers already field a depleted lineup with a season-ending injury to Steve Nash (back) as well as ailments to Nick Young (thumb) and Ryan Kelly (right hamstring). And the Lakers have only completed one game in what could become a long 2014-15 season.

Randle injured his right leg midway through the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 108-90 season-opening loss on Tuesday to the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. After driving into the lane, Randle collapsed on the floor and favored his right leg. The Lakers’ training staff and players immediately attended Randle near the Rockets’ basket. After Randle’s leg was immobilized, he was soon lifted onto a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.

Randle only posted two points on 1-of-3 shooting in 14 minutes in his NBA regular-season debut. Lakers coach Byron Scott has also offered public criticism with Randle’s conditioning and work ethic. But the Lakers found Randle steadily developing through training camp where he averaged 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes in eight exhibition games. After posting a nation-leading 24 double doubles in his lone season at University of Kentucky, Randle showed signs as both a bruiser, mid-range jump shooter and ball-handling forward.

The Lakers plan to file a disabled-player exception to the NBA that will be worth $1.5 million. They are also still awaiting league approval for a disabled player exception on Nash, which is worth about $4.9 million. The Lakers can use both of those tools to acquire two players through trade or free agency at that allotted amount. When Young returns sometime next November, the Lakers will have a league-maximum 15-player roster.

Randle has dealt with injury issues earlier in his career.

In the second game of his senior year at Prestonwood Academy, Randle broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in what was considered a season-ending injury. Randle returned for five playoff games and averaged 28.8 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks en route to Prestonwood Academny’s third consecutive state championship. He was then granted an exemption to play in the McDonald’s All-American game.

He then starred at the University of Kentucky and posted a nation-leading 24 double doubles without missing a game. Reports circulated during pre-draft workouts that Randle would need surgery to treat an incorrectly placed screw in his right foot. But the Lakers said their medical reports did not suggest such a thing. Randle also consulted outside medical advice that suggested the same thing.

RELATED:

Lakers’ Julius Randle suffers fractured tibia in right leg

Lakers’ Julius Randle shaped by mentors’ tough love, endless support

Julius Randle eager to thrive with Lakers’ support

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

RELATED:

Lakers’ Julius Randle suffers fractured tibia in right leg

Lakers’ Julius Randle shaped by mentors’ tough love, endless support

Julius Randle eager to thrive with Lakers’ support

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

Kobe Bryant’s message to Julius Randle: “You ‘F’ this up, you’re a really big idiot”

Julius Randle, seen at a pre-draft workout in June, had 10 points and eight rebounds in a Lakers preseason game Monday. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

Julius Randle, seen at a pre-draft workout in June, had 10 points and eight rebounds in a Lakers preseason game Monday. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

The tough love and accountability hovered over Julius Randle throughout his childhood. He grew up in a single-parent household where his mom ensured he studied well enough to maintain straight A’s. Randle played for an AAU team named the Texas Titans that included comprehensive workshops involving media training, etiquette tips and Bible study. And Randle has clung to these mentors both for guidance through adversity and for staying grounded through success.

Yet, that strict upbringing hardly compares to what Kobe Bryant has offered the Lakers’ rookie all through training camp. Both Bryant and Lakers coach Byron Scott talked to Randle, saying he has the potential to become an NBA All-Star one day IF he mimics Bryant’s work ethic. If not? Randle will just become another forgotten NBA player.

“It means he can’t [bleep] it up.” Bryant explained in more vulgar terms following the Lakers’ 98-91 preseason victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Staples Center.

Once the initial laughter from reporters around him subdued, Bryant then offered another punchline. This one came at the expense of ESPN recently ranking him as the NBA’s 40th best player after appearing in only six games last season because of overlapping injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left ankle.

“If you [bleep] this up, you’re a really big idiot,” Bryant said. “ESPN are idiots, but you’re really a big idiot if you manage to [bleep] this up.”
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Lakers’ Julius Randle accepts Byron Scott’s criticism

Rookie forward Julius Randle is eager to show the Lakers they made a smart choice by taking him seventh in the NBA Draft in June. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

Rookie forward Julius Randle is eager to show the Lakers they made a smart choice by taking him seventh in the NBA Draft in June. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

The Lakers selected rookie Julius Randle with their seventh overall draft pick, believing he would become a significant piece toward their rebuilding process. But the Lakers never anticipated the impact would happen right away.

Randle instantly gushed about playing for his favorite team (the Lakers) and teaming up with his favorite player (Kobe Bryant). But after starring for one season at the University of Kentucky, Randle hardly expected to receive a starting nod, immediate praise and instant success in the NBA.

So it hardly seems surprising that Randle has encountered some initial struggles. Or that Lakers’ coach Byron Scott has offered some tough love both with Randle’s playing time and public comments about him.

The most vivid example happened in the Lakers’ 119-86 preseason loss on Thursday to the Utah Jazz in Anaheim. Then, Randle posted only four points on 2-5 shooting and one rebound before sitting out in the entire second half.. The Lakers reported Randle had blisters on both of his feet, but Scott said he still sat so he could benefit more from watching the game unfold from the sidelines.

“I still don’t think the last couple of games he could play as hard as he could play,” Scott said of Randle after the game. “It’s a much faster game. He has to learn how to let the game slow down. But the biggest thing is the effort and physical part of it and playing hard every single time he’s out there. I know he’s thinking a lot right now. There’s a lot to think about on both ends of the floor. I know it might take some time, but I expect him to get it.”

After spending the end of Friday’s practice working endlessly on post drills with various Lakers assistants, Randle walked over toward a small group of reporters. A friendly albeit reluctant talker, Randle seemed to anticipate what was coming.

What did he make of Scott’s harsh criticism?

“He should,” Randle said. “Those [veterans] are proven. I shouldn’t be treated the same as those guys. I haven’t done anything. I have to hold myself responsible. I can’t worry about what other guys do. The only thing I can do is hold myself accountable and improve every day.”
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Julius Randle hosting 3-on-3 fundraiser for cancer charity

Kentucky forward Julius Randle, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Kentucky forward Julius Randle, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Julius Randle will encounter an opponent far more difficult to beat than a bruising big man in the paint. He will still push even if the effort proves more challenging than anything he encounters his rookie season with the Lakers. Randle will relish this experience despite the complicated schedule providing a sneak preview on what the NBA’s grinding 82-game season entails.

This weekend, Randle is hosting a three-on-three basketball tournament at his alma mater, Prestonwood Christian Academy, near Dallas, Texas to raise funds for the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. The $200 registration fee for each team will go toward the foundation’s efforts in providing funds for research and treatment surrounding childhood cancer. Randle will then immediately fly back to Los Angeles for the Lakers’ Media Day on Monday at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo.

This initiative taps into Randle’s hope to use his NBA basketball career as a launching pad toward helping those in need. But this particular issue also hits Randle closely. In 2009, one of Randle’s young Prestonwood classmates named Connor Cruse died because of neuroblastoma cancer.

“Ever since then, I had a heart and passion for it,” Randle said in an interview with this newspaper. “No kid should ever have to go through that. I’ve always been willing to help his family. Cancer affects everybody, even kids. So for me, this is touching.”
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