Lakers forward Julius Randle says team must grow up
Lakers forward Julius Randle is hugged by Jordan Clarkson after making the go-ahead basket against the Miami Heat late in a 102-100 victory on March 30.
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Forward Julius Randle didn’t mince words Thursday during an exit interview with reporters.
The Lakers must grow up, he said.
“This year was rough for us all. We obviously didn’t want it to go like this. We didn’t think it would go like this at the beginning of the year,” Randle said.
The Lakers lost a franchise-record 65 games, winning only 17.
“I don’t think anybody is walking around like they just walked on water,” Randle said.
In his second season, Randle averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
He is part of a young trio the team has built that includes D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, but the three must learn to play together.
“I’m trying so hard to win or make the right play or whatever, that you know, it kind of comes off as being selfish, but I’m not, I’m just used to being the guy,” said Randle, a first-round draft pick in 2014 out of Kentucky. “When things get rough you just kind of do it yourself.”
Randle said he was uncertain whether he would play in summer league games.
Follow Lindsey Thiry on Twitter: @LindseyThiry
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