LOS ANGELES — Ninety minutes before the opening tip of a recent loss to the comically dysfunctional Sacramento Kings, a restless Julius Randle bounces around near the Staples Center baseline, flicking set shots toward the hoop.
An assistant coach passes the Los Angeles Lakers sophomore the ball, he takes one dribble toward the hoop, sets his feet and then leisurely shoves up a jumper. About half go in.
One minute later, Randle jogs above the right elbow to continue the routine. After a couple of misses and a few makes, he moves to the opposite elbow before concluding with another minute’s worth of jumpers from just inside the left corner.