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Steinmetz: Randolph is the answer for Warriors at power forward

By: Matt Steinmetz
Special to The Examiner
March 11, 2009

Sky is the limit: Anthony Randolph has proven he is capable of making an impact with the Warriors during his rookie season despite being just 19 years old. (NBAE/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO — We’ve heard it a lot this season. And we heard it a lot last season. Come to think of it, we’ve heard it for years and years and years with the Warriors.

They need a power forward.

It’s an easy statement to make. After all, the Warriors need help when it comes to rebounding, a defensive presence and a low-post threat.

The Warriors’ lack of size cost them two years ago in the second round of the playoffs against the Utah Jazz, and it has remained a factor to this day. Conventional wisdom suggests they need a banger or an energy guy.

You hear all the usual suspects when it comes to filling this void, whether it’s Drew Gooden or Brandon Bass or Carl Landry or Paul Millsap or David Lee or Reggie Evans. Yeah, right. That’s about the last thing the Warriors need right now.

The Warriors have their power forward, and his name is Anthony Randolph.

I know, I know, coach Don Nelson and countless others project the 19-year-old Randolph to be a small forward down the road. I have doubts about that, but can we at least agree that for the next couple of years that’s not going to be Randolph’s position?

It’s hard to imagine a tougher blow for Randolph and the Warriors’ enthusiastic fan base than if they were to bring in some kind of limited big man who would wind up taking minutes from the rookie.

If nothing else, Randolph has proven during the past month or so that he can contribute. Maybe Nelson isn’t ready to play Randolph 30-plus minutes a night. But shouldn’t the kid get at least 20 or so minutes a game next season?

You would think so.

But where will those minutes come? They’re not going to come at center, where the Warriors have a suitable combo in Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf. And they’re not going to come at small forward, not with Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike on the roster.

Fact is, the only spot on the roster open right now for Randolph is at power forward. And if you look hard enough, you’ll see he fits well there.

Randolph is one of the best shot-blockers on the team and perhaps their best rebounder overall. Defensively, he’s got a long way to go, no doubt.

For one, playing the four keeps Randolph closer to the basket defensively, which is clearly where he’s more effective. That’s not even debatable.

For whatever reason, the Warriors seem reluctant to call Randolph a power forward. It’s almost as if by doing so, they feel they diminish his versatility. But playing Randolph primarily at power forward doesn’t take away from his overall skill set. And it’s just a place for him to start. In Nelson’s offense, he’ll have as much freedom as he deserves — regardless of what position he’s playing.

Down the line, the Warriors very well may have to revisit bringing in a physical presence. But that’s down the line. Right now they have a four: Anthony Randolph.

GAME DAY

Nets (28-35) vs. Warriors (21-42)

WHEN: Today, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Oracle Arena
TV: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
RADIO: KNBR (680 AM)

Matt Steinmetz is the NBA insider for Warriors telecasts on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. E-mail him at msteinmetz@sfexaminer.com.





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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

Nuck Chorris

Mar 11, 2009

Playing Randolph at the 4 should be fine since the Warriors try to spread the court so much on offense anyways.

 

James Online

Mar 11, 2009

Randolph is not the typical banger type 4, but he is tough in his own way. He may be skinny but he is ferocious and relentless. Plays taller and stronger than Brandan Wright. Wright is the guy who needs to be moved off this roster, along with Crawford.

 

CazzieRussell

Mar 11, 2009

Agree completely Matt, plus if they find this mythical PG, he will make AR at the PF even better... Think everyone needs to go back & look at the Laker game BW got hurt in..he was busting out like AR is now. AR with BW playing 48 minutes at the 4 woud burn out other teams PF! (I know pipe dream).

 

CazzieRussell

Mar 11, 2009

Agree completely Matt, plus if they find this mythical PG, he will make AR at the PF even better... Think everyone needs to go back & look at the Laker game BW got hurt in..he was busting out like AR is now. AR with BW playing 48 minutes at the 4 woud burn out other teams PF! (I know pipe dream).

 

David

Mar 11, 2009

I totally agree with you Matt. And why does putting him at the 4 make him less versatile? In "small-ball" lineups why would you want your 6'10" energy guy at the 3 when the better mismatch is clearly at the power forward spot? Good stuff here Matt.

 

Rem

Mar 11, 2009

I'd like to ultimately see Randolph + Wright at the 3+4,but I do want that wide body on the team to have a spectrum of tactical options. A trade down of the draft pick might get that player plus a PG. For the near future, AR likely is more ready for PF minutes. Wright may have less flash but more efficiency. Both can run and jump. A question time answers is who fills out physically or adds stuff to the tool kit. Wright might surprise and evolve into the SF while AR gains 20 lb. Both are so young there's still many possible outcomes. he thing to do is make all those outcomes possible. We obstructed these two too long already.

 

Mar 12, 2009

Anthony Randolph power forward! But boycott the Warriors until Chris Cohan sells the team!!!! Do not Renew your season tickets!!!

 

Justafan

Mar 12, 2009

Anthony Randolph power forward! But boycott the Warriors until Chris Cohan sells the team!!!! Do not Renew your season tickets!!!

 

Maximus

Mar 12, 2009

I just thought of this last night while watching the game. Marcus Williams was released TUESDAY, exactly 1 day before the Warriors were scheduled to play his former team that drafted him, New Jersey. Is that purely coincidence? For some reason, I don't think so at all. With the pattern of behaviour that we've seen coming out of the Warriors' front office (Rowell, Nelson), I wouldn't put it past them to do such a low immature move. If there was some kind of sour intent behind it, then it looks like we have some real issues in the organization, particularly with folks who feel the need to flex their management muscles. Soemthing is fishy, don't you think? That must have killed Marcus inside.

 

QTLAW

Mar 12, 2009

Don't forget about Brandon Wright. He will be a force soon; if they would just play the guy and give him a chance (I know he's been injured.)

 

Colorado Chris

Mar 12, 2009

Good article Matt. Seems like a no brainer and it would be nice to see it the rest of the year. Basically with Randolph at the 4, the Warriors can still run like with their small ball lineup yet defend the rim like normal teams do (I have yet to see this) I would love to see more of Randolph and Beidrins/Turiaf on the floor together this year.

 

Dubs

Mar 17, 2009

That is all fine, but where does Wright fit in? Trade him, start him at the 4, or is he Randolph's backup?

 

Dubs

Mar 17, 2009

That is all fine, but where does Wright fit in? Trade him, start him at the 4, or is he Randolph's backup?

 


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