HAUTE MOVES

andle is about to depart for parts unknown with his family on their last pre-season vacation, but he still manages to find time to talk to me late at night from his home in Dallas. The man did say he was efficient, after all, and clearly he meant it.

Right now, we’re talking about what defines him as a player, and a person. He tackles the former first; it is his job to know his strengths and weaknesses, after all.

“As a player, I think what defines me first and foremost is my work ethic, my passion to win, and my ability to never quit. I have a strong desire to improve in every way, and I literally cannot wait to wake up every day and get better. Coming off of every season, it’s always crystal clear to me what I need to work on, and I really just try to take that day by day. I guess you could say that I’m in love with the journey of it all. It’s a process, but the results follow,” he notes.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding given that he had a careerdefining moment in 2021 after being named most improved almost unanimously, receiving 98 of 100 first place votes. “Who wins most improved their seventh year in the league?” he wonders. “But honestly, I feel like every year I’m always more improved than the year before. There have been many times throughout my career when I’ve had to prove myself, and I always tell myself, man, you can do whatever you want if you just put your mind to it.”

This determination, the ability to never quit and to lead others with positivity is, he says, also what defines him as a person. “I don’t like talking about myself so much, but everybody that I’ve talked to about me says that my energy is really contagious, that they can feel my spirit. And I do think that I have the ability to bring people together, to light up a room, to make people feel good about what’s going on, or feel good about themselves. So, I try to really tap into that side a lot.

“But it’s kind of like a double-edged sword, because I wear my heart on my sleeve,” he continues. “I wear my emotions on my sleeve, so if I’m having a bad day, you can tell.”

Which brings me to what defines Julius Randle the most: his family — his “why” for everything — and his responsibility to them. Wife

RKendra, 5-year-old Kyden, and 2-year-old Jayce are his world. In fact, Randle with sons Kyden and Jayce, and wife Kendra Kyden is a little social media star in his own right, and emulates his father every chance he gets. He also attends every game… which is both wonderful and challenging simultaneously. “It’s honestly a double-edge sword with that as well because I am, like, his hero. [As an example], last year was a tough year for our team; a tough year all the way around. And my son imitates everything. He sees the good and he sees the bad; he’s just a sponge, taking it all in. So I can’t be arguing with the ref. If I’m arguing with the official, it’s just not a good look, because he sees it, and then he thinks it’s okay.” That being said, there are good moments too, and these are the ones he obviously wishes his son would replicate. “[Kyden] also sees the joy — everything that goes on behind the scenes — and he sees the results of my hard work. I think that’s the greatest thing for me, being able to give him that experience. And overall, I do it for him, his brother, my wife, my mom, our family. So he gets to see the sacrifices I’ve made, and know that it pays off, too. Being able to experience this journey that I’m on — as a player and all the way around — with him is honestly the best part of it all. So, yes, I’m trying to inspire my son, and my family, but I’m also trying to inspire people in New York. I’m definitely trying to be mindful, and to keep the bigger picture in mind as well.” And, to bring it on home, that bigger picture involves a trophy. “Like I said, I want to win the championship in New York. I have personal goals that I want to achieve. And right now, I’m appreciating the journey every day even more because I’m realizing how fast it goes. I’ve had those moments in my career where I don’t know what’s next or what’s going to happen, and I’ve proven to myself that I can handle it, that I can depend on myself. Every day that I’m able to make a choice to become better is a good day. God gave me the gift of basketball, and I try to use it to the best of my ability, to wake up every day and try to perfect my craft. So, for me, every day is just about enjoying the journey, and just seeing where that journey takes me.” I have no doubt that with this mentality, Mamba would be proud.

Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

Bravissimo!

BY TIM LAPPEN

WHEN I WAS OFFERED A WEEK WITH THE MASERATI GHIBLI TROFEO, I didn’t immediately jump at the chance. I knew that the Ghibli was the younger sibling of the Quattroporte, and thought that it must be an underpowered, weaker family member. Boy, was I wrong.

The Ghibli — the smaller of the two four-door sedans in the Maserati family — is named after a strong, hot desert wind in Libya, also called a sirocco. This Maser comes in four flavors, with varying degrees of power and an increasing base price (see chart below).

The Trofeo (“Trophy”) model is clearly the most robust Ghibli in terms of competence and performance. The twin-turbo V8 engine has 538 lb-ft of torque, sufficient for even the most jaded to experience excitement. The eight-speed automatic transmission can also be operated via the paddle shifters, which is my preference. I especially like the throaty sound of the exhaust coupled with the g-force produced on acceleration.

While not too dissimilar in appearance from the other Ghiblis, it does have some special tri-color badging, a blacked-out grill, and carbon fiber at the front splitter and the front intakes. The V8 needs more air for breathing than the V6, so the Ghibli hood provides open vents, another distinguishing detail. The system is clearly effective, as I had no overheating problems during my time with this special car. It drove like a dream everywhere I went — not just to the grocery store or around for errands, but also so on some freeway runs and even up to Mulholland Highway.

On top of the base price, “mine” (for the week) had $25,000 in options, most notably the $3,200 “Pelletessuta,” woven Napa leather textile sports seats designed with Ermenegildo Zegna, of the custom-suit fame, so you know they’re top-drawer. An unusual and elegant fabric, it adds a special look to the Trofeo interior. The high-end sound system and anodized red brake calipers are de rigueur these days, and were included on my car ($2,500 and $1,500, respectively).

The Trofeo is a great car for driving — roomy enough for five passengers, a trunk large enough for their belongings, and enough power to thrill them all. The engine sound alone is worth the price of admission, and it’s even adjustable in case you want to tone it down for the neighbors. With the engine designed by Maserati and assembled by engineers at Ferrari, the gorgeous red cylinder heads on the motor portend what’s to come and look good doing so.

My time with the Trofeo ended way too quickly, but so be it. I had a great experience with the car and came away with a new-found admiration for the folks at Maserati who created it.

+ GHIBLI GT $82,300 base 345 hp V6 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds + GHIBLI MODENA $88,900 base 424 hp V6 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds + GHIBLI MODENA Q4 $91,600 base 424 hp V6 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds + GHIBLI TROFEO $118,500 base 580 hp V8 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds