“Don’t Think I’m Gonna Survive”: Julius Randle Suffered Gruesome Reality at 1st Game as Lakers Rookie

Julius Randle has turned out to be a prominent player since joining the New York Knicks. He has made three All-Star appearances in the last five years and become a franchise player for the Knicks. However, Randle’s NBA career did not begin the way he would have expected. After getting drafted 7th overall by the Lakers in the 2014 draft, Randle suffered a season-ending injury in his first NBA game. And that gruesome injury gave the then 19-year-old rookie a huge reality check.

Randle suffered a fractured tibia in his right leg after playing only 14 minutes in his NBA debut. During the ‘Roommates Show Podcast’ with his Knicks teammates, Randle revealed that he was surprisingly “relieved” after his injury as a Lakers rookie. “To be honest I don’t think I was ready.” Randle remembers thinking to himself, “Man, I don’t think I’m gonna survive this season,” finding himself amidst massive names and unfamiliar heights.

The Knicks superstar believed the Lakers had a lot of expectations from him because he was their first lottery pick in a long time. The Lakers had a rigorous practice schedule when Randle arrived in the NBA, courtesy of Kobe Bryant and then head coach Byron Scott. Randle revealed that he did not even touch a basketball for two hours during his first Lakers practice session and just ran and played defense. The hectic schedule made Randle doubt his credibility as an NBA player. The injury gave Julius time to ease into the NBA. “I kinda needed that time… Even from a maturity standpoint, I wasn’t even there yet,” Randle added. And all for the better.

What changed after Julius Randle moved to New York?

Julius Randle’s Lakers tenure did not meet expectations. Playing under Kobe’s shadow, Randle was never able to flourish and reach his true potential. So, Randle left LA after four seasons and signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer of 2018. His productivity increased massively after parting ways with the Lakers, averaging 21.4 points in his debut season with the Pelicans. Randle joined the New York Knicks a year later and reached his true potential.

Randle revealed on the Podcast that he got a lot of guidance from Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony when he moved to New York. That helped him learn the New York ways and adjust to this new environment. Only five seasons after joining the Knicks, Randle is one of the best Big Men in the league averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

The 29-year-old has grown to be a notable two-way player helping the Knicks become title contenders for the season. “Everything I envisioned coming to New York is happening now,” Randle says. Fortunately, he did not succumb to the adversities and turned his career around for good.

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