Green: Lakers' Randle 'has potential' to be better than me
Los Angeles Lakers youngster Julius Randle's confident proclamation about All-Star Draymond Green's inability to shut him down last preseason earned the Golden State Warriors forward's respect. Green can appreciate someone having bravado about their game - after all, he does too.
Comparisons between the two players are increasing with former Warriors assistant Luke Walton now coaching the Lakers. Green not only believes Randle has the ability to justify the comparisons, he conceded that Randle could possibly surpass him one day.
"I think he can. I also think he has the potential to be better," Green said Sunday, according to the OC Register's Mark Medina. "With the God-given gifts he has, he has the potential to be better. I'll continue to grow. I'll never stop working and I'll continue to get better. But what is he, 21? That's a lot of time to continue to grow."
In his first full season with the Lakers after breaking his right tibia in his NBA debut two years ago, Randle was one of 10 players to average a double-double in points (11.3) and rebounds (10.2) in 81 appearances.
It's yet to be seen whether the Kentucky product can repeat that level of contribution in 2016-17, but Green has faith that will be the case, thanks partly to one of Randle's intangible qualities.
"The thing about him you can't teach is his heart," Green added. "When you have that heart and type of dog in you, you're going to work. I think he can be really, really, really good."
Green has accomplished a lot in a short period of time, and while Randle appreciates being mentioned in the same breath, his ultimate goal is to establish his own identity.
"That's great. I take the advice and all of that and try to learn as much as I can from other people. But all I can do is focus on myself," Randle said. "I can't worry about comparisons and all that other stuff. I have to focus on myself, focus on my team, try to get better every day, and try to win."
The Lakers and Warriors will play their second preseason game against each other in five days on Wednesday at the Valley View Casino Center. Golden State took Saturday's meeting by a narrow 112-107 margin, with Randle chipping in five points and seven boards for Los Angeles.