Lakers News: Los Angeles Should Be Encouraged by Julius Randle Press Conference

The Los Angeles Lakers don't have a whole lot to be encouraged about after dropping another game Tuesday night and falling to 0-5 on the season. After all, the team is full of ailing players and a bench that is having trouble contributing on any kind of a consistent basis.

While things do look bleak for the foreseeable future, at least there is one big bright spot providing a light at the end of the tunnel for this struggling franchise: Julius Randle.

The 6'9" power forward was selected seventh overall by the Lakers in the 2014 draft after a very impressive year with the Kentucky Wildcats. He was a double-double machine in college, known for his prowess in the paint on both ends of the court.

Unfortunately, his professional career got off to a devastating start. During his very first game, he suffered a tragic leg injury and was ruled out for the entire 2014-15 season after needing surgery to repair his fractured right tibia.

Randle hasn't been in the public eye since his injury, but he did take the time to speak to the media for the first time since that fateful day during halftime of Tuesday's game. Here's a look at Randle entering the room for his press conference, via Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:

Everyone has been waiting with bated breath to hear what the power forward had to say since his injury, and he immediately spoke of the support and motivation he received from Kobe Bryant, who has become a mentor for several of the team's younger players:

With Randle snapped out of his slump, he decided to move forward, speaking to the media about his desire to get better as a player. It would be easy for anyone in Randle's position to simply continue to sulk and remain buried in their own misfortunes, but he has a different mentality.

Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times tweeted one thing Randle is taking advantage of during his rehabilitation:

Every NBA player—or every professional athlete, for that matter—should have that kind of attitude. Striving to get better in any possible way, no matter the circumstances, is what separates great players from good players.

Randle spoke of how he's getting motivation from his injury:

He added another comment that should hit home with the team's faithful:

Randle is ready to get back in action for the benefit of a team that could really use his services. Not only does he want to get healthy, but he also wants to improve as a player and benefit his team as much as possible. That's the sign of a great deal of maturity.

He's received plenty of support from his teammates and coaches, and he did appear to have a good mentality going forward. Again, this shows plenty of maturity, especially at the age of 19.

While the injury to Randle was certainly tragic both for him and for the Lakers, the team must be encouraged by his perseverance and his mental toughness through this ordeal. He appears ready to take this unfortunate situation and make it work in his favor.

Considering what this rookie power forward has gone through recently, and how determined he seemed when speaking to the media on Tuesday, he really does appear to have a bright future ahead.