Topic: We wonder which of the three young stars on the Los Angeles Lakers will have the best season: Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, or Julius Randle?
Context: Over the last couple of off-seasons, the Lakers have begun building up their young core as they prepare for the future. The Lakers are working to return to relevance and three players in particular look to be the future pillars of the franchise: guards Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell, and power forward Julius Randle.
Clarkson is the most proven of the three. He was an All-Rookie First Team selection last year and went toe-to-toe with the best point guards the NBA has to offer. Some believe he has the lowest ceiling of the three, but to this point he has performed the best, and his work ethic leaves no doubt that he will fulfill whatever his potential is.
Russell is the true rookie of the group and second overall pick. He is an excellent shooter with amazing court vision and has drawn comparisons to players like James Harden. His Summer League play left a lot to be desired as he struggled to keep his turnovers in check, but the flashes of potential were there as well and he will surely have his chances to shine this year.
Randle was supposed to take off last season, but a broken fibula halted his rookie year before it ever really began. He was rusty in Summer League and played in limited minutes, but he showed some skills that would give fans a glimpse of why he was chosen seventh overall last year.
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All three players will likely be the players to lead the Lakers into the next generation, but in the immediate future, which will be the best in 2015-16?
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the loyal Lakers Nation followers which young player they believe will have the best season: Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, or D’Angelo Russell? These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate Clarkson because he has a season under his belt
— Tey ruiz (@TeyruizFV1992) July 19, 2015
@TheeCoreyH Clarkson will have the confidence & comfort of having a good season under belt, but have high expectations of Randle #LNDebate
— Sportsman Spiff (@Sportsman_Spiff) July 18, 2015
@TheeCoreyH Randle he has all the tools to be great and once he develops a consistent mid-range shot he'll become unstoppable #LNDebate
— Julius Randle Fans ™ (@TeamJ30_Randle) July 18, 2015
#LNDebate Julius Randle physically ready to play just needs more reps on the court.
— Kuu (@LakuLoveem) July 18, 2015
@TheeCoreyH Definitely Clarkson. He continues to put in work and will be given more opportunities to shine. #LNDebate
— Mr. Brightside (@RadRivas) July 18, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation All, lol, but if I had to pick 1…Russell. Explosive and fits today's game well. #LNDebate
— Serious Snail (@Serious_Snail) July 18, 2015
#LNDebate Clarkson, dudes getting smarter and better and he's got a nice feel for it even more so now that he's got a year under his belt
— Kell™ (@_MindofMJ) July 18, 2015
Lakers Nation has spoken and while all three players had their share of votes, the fans believe that Jordan Clarkson will have the best season of the Lakers’ three young stars.
In this instance, I have to agree with the fans. Clarkson made a lot of growth last season starting the second half of the season. He understands the speed of the game and has experience going up against the best the NBA has to offer. Russell and Randle both will have to get used to the major demands of the NBA that Clarkson has already gone through.
The fact that there is even a choice of young Lakers players who will be the best is a reason for optimism for the Lakers and Lakers Nation. The Lakers look to be in a good place for the future with these three young stars and if they all fulfill their potential, the Lakers will be back where they want to be.
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