Originally Posted by
GuardianAngel25
Just saw that Julius Randle averaged 19 ppg after the All-Star break last season which is very impressive. Playing next to AD along with a guard like Jrue should have a big impact on his stat like as well. With another summer putting in the work he did last year kid is in line for a monster season imo. I really think he is a serious candidate for NBAs most improved player award. When you factor in everything he has going for him from natural progression to the guys around him and I have my pick for NBAs MIP. I think Randle is going to average 18-22 ppg, 9-11 rpg, and 4 apg shooting +55% from the field all while being a top 10 defender at his position. I have a feeling this is the year it starts to click from 3 pointer. Just like at Dante Cunningham who couldn’t break 10% from 3 in his first 6 seasons to then becoming a solid threat from deep.
I really don’t think we are losing much replacing him with a Cousins. We have a much better defender with more versatility and Randle was much more efficient shooting almost 10% better from the field. Cousins averaged 25 ppg, 12 rpg, 5 apg, and 5 TOs playing 36 mpg. Randle only played 26 mpg and had he played the same minutes would have been on pace for 22 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg, and 3 TOs playing 36 mpg. Just ignore the names on the back and consider both of those stat lines and it’s a no braineer to take Randle who is much more efficient scorer who doesn’t turn the ball over at a ridiculous rate and plays much better defense all while averaging near identical number