The Los Angeles Lakers power forward position looks extremely promising as the team has two young prospects with a ton of potential in Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr.
Randle was a known commodity as the team’s lottery pick last year, but Nance Jr. has been a big surprise as the team’s late-first round pick this season.
Head coach Byron Scott benched Randle for Nance and both have played extremely in the games since. According to Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, Scott believes they’re making each other better with their battles in practice:
When Larry Nance and Julius Randle practice against each it's "a nice little war," Byron Scott said. "They're making each other better."
— Bill Oram (@billoram) January 2, 2016
There has been a lot of discussion as to whether Nance should remain a starter over Randle. The latter has more potential and was a lottery pick, but Nance has impressed with his high basketball IQ and defensive ability.
Each brings something a little different to the table and with both being young, it is great that they are able to push each other in practice. Randle obviously would prefer to start, but each is giving the Lakers quality minutes for the time being.
Regardless of whether Scott ultimately re-inserts Randle into the starting lineup, both he and Nance look to be key components of the future and with both pushing each other, the Lakers will be better off in the long run.