The Los Angeles Lakers are only days away from taking the basketball floor for the first time since drafting rookie D’Angelo Russell. The team held their third practice in preparation for the NBA Summer League on Wednesday with Julius Randle continuing to receive high praise from his teammates.
— Have you seen the ‘Lakers Nation’ phone case? —
Apparently, Russell has been impressed with Randle’s ability to run the break after securing a rebound, via Lakers Twitter:
D'Angelo: "When you see Julius grab the rebound & start the break it makes it easier for everyone."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 8, 2015
Along with Randle receiving rave reviews during these practice sessions, Russell has also impressed the coaching staff as well as his teammates. Russell’s incredible passing ability has been on display during these scrimmages at team’s practice facility in El Segundo and has many excited about his debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
With Russell, Randle and Jordan Clarkson in the fold, the Lakers will have a very talented young core of players leading the way alongside Kobe Bryant next season. It seems as though all of these players, with the exception of Kobe, have started to build some chemistry during these practices sessions.
The Lakers will play their first NBA Summer League game on Friday against the Timberwolves followed by the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday and New York Knicks on Monday.
Unfortunately, Randle will miss Saturday’s matchup against the 76ers. The team wants to hold Randle out the back-to-back for precautionary reasons.
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