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Kobe on Julius Randle: 'You’re a really big idiot if you manage to f--- this up'

Los Angeles Lakers star made some pointed comments about rookie Julius Randle following the team's 98-81 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made some pointed comments about rookie Julius Randle following the team's 98-81 preseason victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.

Bryant was asked about how he and new coach Byron Scott "getting on" Randle would affect his development. From Lakers Nation:

“It means he can’t f--- up,” Bryant said. “I mean, seriously. You f--- this up, you’re, I mean … You’re a really big idiot. You know what I mean? ESPN are idiots, but then you’re a really big idiot if you manage to f--- this up.”

Bryant said last week that he's "known for a long time that they're a bunch of idiots" when asked about ESPN ranking him 40th in their annual player rankings.

• DOLLINGER: NBA Power Rankings: Spurs, Cavaliers battle for No. 1 in preseason edition

Randle, whom Los Angeles selected with the No. 7 pick out of Kentucky, scored eight points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbed five rebounds in the game. The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds in his lone season at Kentucky.

The Lakers, which are ranked 25th in SI.com's power rankings, open the regular season Oct. 28 against the Houston Rockets.

- Chris Johnson