D'angelo Russell and Julius Randle Fashion Spread

David Dow/AP Images

LAS VEGAS — If in that location was any doubt that Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell sensed the excitement over them from all around the Los Angeles Lakers and their fanbase, listen to them articulate the pressure and disappointment they felt Monday night.

Randle: "Everything starts with me. I've got to be better. End of story."

Russell: "Every game matters to me. And me being competitive, I forget it'southward but summer league. I'm trying to get better then fast instead of beingness patient and letting information technology come to me."

John Locher/Associated Press

The Lakers whiffed on marquee free agents again and remain unclear on what level of health or excellence can exist expected from Kobe Bryant'due south presumed final flavour, then at that place is a level of uneasiness, of course.

What has been interesting, though, is that the lack of proven commodities has forced the Lakers to accept the reality of rebuilding: Invest in young talent.

Massive crowds—which forced the opening of the concealed-off upper deck at the Thomas & Mack Center—have been hugely enthusiastic to scout the Laker kids' kickoff three games in the NBA Summertime League. (On Sunday, when the Lakers didn't play, everything at the venue turned quiet and minor-league, as if the circus had left town only the sideshow acts remained.)

There is something special happening for Lakers fans with the pure hope of homegrown youngsters becoming winning Lakers after quick-fix, certain-affair imports Dwight Howard and Steve Nash proved to be such ill fits.

Julius Randle'due south drive to succeed hasn't translated to on-court success in Vegas. John Locher/Associated Press

This uncharted territory requires Randle, xx, and Russell, nineteen, to prove themselves worthy explorers. Before they can get Kareem and Magic or Shaq and Kobe, they must be Lewis and Clark. They demand to find a path through the rugged Western Conference and establish safety and success on their own.

They know what is expected of them, and they welcome the challenge. Only for now, that challenge comes with pressure that is making it harder for them to smooth in summer league.

The nature of these games, with thrown-together rosters and little practice time, makes spacing and teamwork hard to discover. But Randle is over-dribbling and Russell is over-passing as they overdo their efforts to succeed.

John Locher/Associated Press

Randle is frustrated past his rust and being limited to five-minute runs each quarter (besides having to sit out the game Saturday). He describes his health equally "amazing." Yet, when he gets his chances on the court, he's rushing everything on offense and forgetting to bring energy on defense.

Russell doesn't know the offense well yet, and he simply isn't designed to accept having limited influence, so he's forcing bad plays and piling up turnovers.

Their frowns evidence their disappointment. But we can detect more than if we look deeper.

To steal a message from the movie Inside Out, sadness for Randle and Russell isn't all bad. Behind it, nosotros can besides meet how deeply they intendance. And that reflects their pursuit of excellence.

"He wants to be great," Lakers banana coach Mark Madsen said of Russell. "And he volition be great."

Asked his expectations for the coming campaign later on basically missing his entire rookie season with a broken leg, Randle said: "Nothing brusque of great." He said the aforementioned goes for the Lakers at all times, and he scoffed at the thought that it might be surprising how much involvement there currently is in the Laker kids.

"When yous're a Laker and you're anywhere in the world, there'south going to be attention," Randle said.

Jeanie Kiss and the Lakers have been wise and diligent in perpetuating the power of the brand. The Lakers come up to Vegas every preseason to play for these fans, same every bit they practise in Ontario, Anaheim and San Diego to cast a wide regional net. They're headed back to Honolulu to concord training camp in front of those fans this yr.

David Dow/Getty Images

And fifty-fifty though the undeniable summer narrative is that franchise fame isn't plenty to win free agency, some perks remain real.

Russell spent his day off in Vegas on Sun doing a long shoot with Turner Sports' way guru Lance Fresh, and they hit information technology off and then well that Russell tacked on a dinner coming together.

Russell's mean solar day wasn't washed, nevertheless, equally he moved on to movie Afterward Night with Rick Pull a fast one on for NBA TV. That session at a driving range also ran long because Russell, who has hit golf assurance like three times in his life, was and then determined to testify he could brand good contact.

Randle has fabricated the rounds, too. He was mic'd up for the NBA'south video outlets during the game Monday night, when his freight-railroad train drives toward the hoop downwardly the stretch made the 76-66 loss to the New York Knicks interesting. He sabbatum down Saturday for a series of interviews with Bleacher Report, including this one in which he alleged himself "a twelvemonth wiser (and) probably even more confident."

Randle and Russell are and so eager to prove their worth and bring joy to the Lakers that they're the ones forgetting that this is a rebuild that is supposed to have time.

Deep down, Randle knows that.

"This is just a start," he told reporters and himself afterwards the loss to the Knicks. Then he pursed his lips and added: "It'south frustrating, but like annihilation else, I'll piece of work through it."

Randle and Russell can but do and so much correct at present.

Those skilled left hands certainly can't raise any banners still.

Kevin Ding is an NBA senior writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @KevinDing.

Share this post