If you didn't think Julius Randle admired Kobe Bryant a ton when he posted this picture following being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in June, this latest quote from the rookie power forward definitely puts the nail in the coffin.
Randle was asked by SLAM about what he thinks of people labeling to be the next Shaquille O'Neal for the Lakers. Randle says he doesn't want to be the next Shaq, but the next Kobe for the purple-and-gold.
“People used to tell me I’m going to be the next Shaq,” Randle said, who is 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds. “I said, ‘I don’t want to be the next Shaq. I want to be the next Kobe.’ I always dribbled the ball everywhere I went.”
Randle was also asked if he has perfected Kobe's famous fadeaway jumper.
“I don’t know,” Randle said, laughing. “I guess. You’ll see.”
Randle really likes the thought of playing with the Black Mamba. We'll see how the two gel together this season.
