In the summer of 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers made two moves that forever altered the organization. In one offseason, L.A. acquired shooting guard Kobe Bryant on draft night and signed Shaquile O’Neal via free agency.
In the years since, the Lakers have won five NBA championships. That includes a three-peat with the combination of Bryant and O’Neal intact, and another two with the former leading a new set of stars.
For all of their differences, one thing can be said unequivocally: both Bryant and O’Neal are NBA legends. Both are safe in the Hall of Fame, and each have left a lasting mark on basketball fans and the young players stepping into their shoes.
Much like everyone else has at some point in their lives, Lakers rookie Julius Randle took sides in the Bryant versus O’Neal debate. He just did it a little differently from everyone else.
Julius Randle on his numerous coast-to-coast tries tonight: “I don’t want to be the next Shaq. I want to be the next Kobe.”
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 23, 2014
Randle elaborated:
More Randle: “I just told my mama the other day, I said, ‘I don’t want to be just a post player.’ ” Guy’s an entertaining quote. — Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 23, 2014
Serena Winters of Lakers Nation gave it bit more context:
Randle:”People used to call me saying you’re goin to be the next Shaq & I’m like ‘No, I don’t want to be the next Shaq, I want to be Kobe'”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 23, 2014
For those unfamiliar, Randle is a power forward.
The 19-year-old former Kentucky Wildcats star has been recognized as one of the most versatile prospects in basketball since high school. He has the power and ability to go to the post, and complements it with a variety of perimeter and transition skills.
If Randle’s goal is to become the most complete player possible, Bryant is an excellent player to pattern his game after.
Bryant is a two-time scoring champion, a 12-time All-Defense selection and one of the most complete players in NBA history. Even at 36 years old, he has a rabid fan base that’s convinced he’ll defy the odds and continue to play at an elite level.
Randle, meanwhile, is the Lakers’ first Top 10 draft pick since Andrew Bynum in 2005. He led the nation in double-doubles in his lone college season and has a rare combination of power and skill.
Whether or not he becomes the next Kobe Bryant, Randle will team with the future Hall of Famer in 2014-15. If nothing else, that’s a start.