Time for Don Nelson to start Anthony Randolph
by warriors
The only gripe I have about Friday’s uber-impressive win against the Blazers is that Don Nelson continues to start Mikki Moore. To be fair to Nelson, he gave Anthony Randolph a lot of minutes off the bench, but why isn’t Randolph part of the starting five? Randolph has earned the right with his play on the court to start for the Warriors.
Does Randolph play out of control sometimes? Yes. Does he forget plays on offense sometimes? Sure. Does he foul too much? Yep. Is he a perfect player? Not by a long stretch. But, on this team right now, there is no power forward or center, save a healthy Andris Biedrins, who is more talented and deserving of minutes than Randolph. So, Randolph should start.
In Friday’s game, Randolph played 29 minutes off the bench, and had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and the nastiest dunk I’ve seen this season. He also had six turnovers and four fouls, but who cares? With Randolph, especially at this stage in his very young career, you take the good with the bad because the good far outweighs the bad.
ESPN’s John Thorpe agrees. He answered several questions about Randolph in a chat this week on espn.com:
Orin (Oakland, CA): I wonder how Anthony Randolph feels about lazy journeyman Vlad Rad starting over him immediately.
David Thorpe: The latest in a long line of sleights.
Disco Stu (Chicago): Why does Nelson play Moore over Randolph?
David Thorpe: Disco, I wish I knew.
Tim (Dallas): Do you think if a rookie coach opted to trot Vlad Rad and Mikki Moore out as his starting PF/C, that management would just burn his contract as the halftime show??? … what a complete (and terrible) joke … I’m at a loss … can you help?
David Thorpe: I can not, other than to recommend the season DVDs of “The Office.”
Jordan (Transylvania): This isn’t LOVELINE! Prescribe a cure for the Warriors PLEASE!?!
David Thorpe: All I can say is, if the NBA had a “Gong Show” format, the Warriors would be gonged.
Miguel (State of Golden-ness): Shouldn’t Randolph have to earn his minutes? He is talented, but raw and makes a lot of mistakes?
David Thorpe: Check out his production.
Thorpe was asked if Randolph should have to earn his minutes, and he responded by saying that Randolph has earned his minutes, to check his production. So I will.
Anthony Randolph per-game stats 2009-10 season
Minutes: 21.6
FG%: 41.9
FT%: 83.6
Points: 12.1
Rebounds: 7.3
Steals: 0.9
Blocks: 0.9
Turnovers: 1.8
Fouls: 3.2
Randolph’s per-36-minute averages (starter’s minutes)
Points: 20.5
Rebounds: 12.2
Steals: 1.5
Blocks: 1.5
Turnovers: 2.9
Fouls: 5.3
Obviously, the fouls stick out as a detriment to Randolph playing that many more minutes. If he starts, because of his tendency to foul and because he’s a young player who won’t get the benefit of the doubt from the NBA referees, Randolph might be especially prone to pick a couple quick fouls, go to the bench and then have a hard time finding his rhythm when he comes back in (see Greg Oden). Randolph will need to cut down on the silly fouls so he can stay on the court.
But if Randolph can minimize the fouls, the Warriors have a young, talented player who has the potential to put up the kind of numbers we saw above. How can Nelson (or anybody) justify not giving Randolph as many minutes as he can handle? Is Mikki Moore or Vladimir Radmanovich really a better option? It’s not even close. Even when Turiaf comes back from injury, Randolph should still start over Turiaf, who will get plenty of deserved minutes backing up both power forward and center. Biedrins should start at center when he’s healthy, no matter what.
Nelson should start the following lineup (when everybody’s healthy) the rest of the season:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Anthony Morrow or Corey Maggette (I’m undecided between the young up-and-coming player and Maggette, who is playing spectacular basketball right now)
PF: Anthony Randolph
C: Andris Biedrins
When Biedrins is injured (not a perfect lineup, but the best option):
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Anthony Morrow
PF: Corey Maggette
C: Anthony Randolph
Press Democrat Assistant Sports Editor (and rabid NBA fan) Jared Cowley breaks down the latest on the Golden State Warriors and other news from around the Association.
I agree with most things you said, except for the last part. If Biedrins is injured, Randolph should not play center. He is just too light for that position, not unless he’s playing against Mikki Moore every night. As we saw against Oden, neither of them could handle the old man, oops I meant the young man. There are a ton of big centers that are even more skilled than Oden. Imagine Raldolph trying to guard guys like Bynum or Howard. With all that said, I think he should start at PF if Biedrins is out, but Turiaf is around.
by John
Nelson has said that Randolph is playing backup 5 because its an easier position for him to learn. Monta Ellis and other players have dressed down Randolph on the court on numerous occasions for NOT KNOWING THE PLAYS. Why is it so difficult for the media to credit the fact that Randolph simply doesn’t know what he’s doing on the court half the time as a factor in his playing time and position? All the evidence you need is right before your eyes. In addition, Randolph’s play to start this season has been characterized by blown defensive rotations, forced shots, ridiculous goal-tends, bad turnovers, and horrible fouls. His play has been exceedingly selfish, reflecting a desire to star, rather than help his team with solid basketball. Why is it so difficult for the media to credit this as a factor in his playing time? And on last thing: Randolph has on numerous occasions this season been seen refusing to listen not just to his coaches, but also his captain on the court. He is exceedingly difficult to coach, responding poorly to instruction. Has even one mention been made of this in the mainstream media?
by feltbot
Randolph may blow a defensive rotation some times but so do a lot of his teammates. He may force shots, but so do a lot of his teammates. He may get called for some ridiculous goal-tends, but why fault the effort involved? He’ll figure that out as he gets older and gets more playing time. He commits some bad turnovers, but so do most of his teammates. He fouls too much, and that’s a criticism I agree he must correct before any other weakness. For all the “bad” Randolph does on the court, he does a lot to help the Warriors as well. He is a great rebounder, a very skilled offensive player, he brings a ton of energy, he improves the Warriors’ transition game, and he’s only 20, meaning he will keep getting better. I’ve only read about Randolph refusing to listen to his coach once. If there have been other instances, fine. And I haven’t heard of him not listening to his captain on the court. Ellis chewed him out, but as far as I know, Randolph listened. Randolph will make mistakes, and I hope that when he does, Ellis steps up and lets him know it. That doesn’t mean Randolph is a bad dude and shouldn’t get playing time. I don’t know why you would want to sacrifice Randolph’s minutes and opportunity to learn and progress for players like Mikki Moore and Vladimir Radmanovich. If Randolph had a legitimate power forward to start in front of him on this roster, I would love that. It would be great for Randolph to learn the ropes backing up an All-Star or even just a quality power forward. But the Warriors don’t have a power forward like that. They have Vlad Rad. And Ronny Turiaf (love him, but let’s be realistic about his limitations). Randolph is the best player at that position, so he should start.
by warriors
I think
feltbot hs the most sensible obervations over Warriors. I like to watch Randolph, too, but he needs to be reined. His mistakes are plentiful as compaed to the other players. I would appear if you insist on your point that Nelson should continue to utilize Randolph despite many errors in order to learn,or the game will lose its chance to be a good game. I would think no coach would allow that. Geez, Randolph was better last year than this year. His mistakes were embarassing for a 2nd yr. player. He needs to listen to coaches and stop acting like a boy. Don Nelson knows better than most of us non-player, no NBA experience critics. Even Randolph admits Don Nelson’s tough love helps him. HE NEEDS DISCIPLINE. Also, Mikki Moore isn’t that bad according to Jim Barnett. He is aggressive and decent enough backup center. RANDOLPH WILL BENEFIT MOST BY PLAYING IN A TEAM CONCEPT. Practice, practice and more practice.
by Herminia Baluyot
OK :> (I’d love to see him start too, so long as he earned his minutes with his play.)
But I think its a moot point so long as Beans and Turiaf remain out. Nellie needs to reserve him at center until we get some depth there.
by feltbot