Byron Scott, Julius Randle: How Are They?

The Los Angeles Lakers issues continue to pound and from the looks off it, such has gone as far as the players.

To be precise, head coach Byron Scott and Julius Randle.

Randle has apparently been struggling since being demoted by Scott to a bench role in what he deems as part of his experiment for the team, as previously reported via Fox Sports. In fact, it wasn’t Randle alone but also D’Angelo Russell.

Byron Scott: "This change wasn't so much based on them not performing up to their capability, it's based on where we are as a team."

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 7, 2015

While Russell seems to have adapted well to the experimental role, Randle has not. His numbers have dipped and such has translated to lesser playing time. With that in mind, Randle has become frustrated and has not been shy to hide his displeasure over the recent events.

Being a sophomore (and technically a rookie since he only played about 15 minutes in the Lakers’ season opener last season before falling to a season-ending injury), the so-called immaturity is only common.

Considering the state of the Lakers nowadays, however, it would be best to douse water on anything that can be contained while they are still young to avoid such from getting out of hand.

Scott, seemingly handling the Laker woes with an iron hand, has initiated talks with Randle which should be a good start, as pointed out via Lakers Nation. He made it clear that while he did hint at Randle “to grow up”, it doesn’t follow that he has totally given up on the budding power forward.

Byron said that he initiated a conversation with Julius Randle today to let him know he still believes in him. — Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) January 6, 2016

Randle is seen as one of the building blocks for the Lakers’ future along with fellow sophomore Jordan Clarkson and Russell. The state of the team is understandably frustrating but the thing is that Randle needs to grow with the team through thick and thin.

Since having that chat with Scott, it seems Randle is back to his senses. That should be a good start to try and rebuild his confidence which was obviously something tarnished visibly when he was given limited playing time recently.

Hopefully, Randle will respond to Scott’s direction and prove why he should be playing more. The former Kentucky Wildcat has been showing glimpses of promise but the fact remains that he needs to work on other things in his game.

That includes developing a reliable jumpshot which the Lakers plan to work on in the future per Lakers Nation.

He has proven to be a good operator inside but if he wants to be among the elite forwards in the NBA, he needs to add another dimension to his game that will make him pretty hard to guard.