Randolph vs. KG -- The early days

by tobin on Aug 1, 2008 12:40 PM PDT

This may seem like a ridiculous post on the surface, but after looking through Randolph's rookie photo shoot display, and trying to compare his body to an NBA player, I came up with Kevin Garnett.

Garnett's rookie year card:

via www.checkoutmycards.com

What catches my eyes the most are his shoulders, and arms...(uhh, no homo?) KG is a physical specimen no doubt, in the realm of a LeBron James and a Dwight Howard. It remains to be seen whether or not our boy Tony lives up to such a high standard. HOWEVER, keep in mind Randolph is roughly the same age now that KG was upon entering the league. Thus, allowing for this comparison to have at least a SHRED of validity as a sample. Observe Randolph's rookie shot:

via i144.photobucket.com

In my opinion, I think (and pray) that KG is a decent mold to compare Anthony's body to. We'll see how he turns out and if his frame can stand the rigors of multiple NBA seasons, and how much weight he can pack on to himself. But if he ends up resembling KG's sinewy strength, I will be ecstatic.

Forgive me if this seems like a stretch, unnecessary, irrelevant, etc. I'm bored @ work and need something to discuss. Your thoughts?

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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maybe, but

even if he has similar skinny strength, I think he will never quite have the post up game and mentality of KG (or the defense). If we get close, hey we’re quite lucky. I would say that right now he is more comparable to Odom. Also, to be comparable to KG, Randolph needs to shed the innocent young man routine and get a little crazy barbarian warlord mentality in him! “I’m so hyped right now…” (KG)

by NaturalBornBaller on Aug 1, 2008 12:48 PM PDT 0 recs

True and garnett could never handle the rock and go to the hole with the moves of Randolph. Randolph is also better from the line and a better passer

So while hteir games are somewhat similar Randolph is superior in many ways.

by smearthebeard on Aug 1, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Randolph is superior in many ways"

Oh my.

by YaHeard on Aug 1, 2008 3:32 PM PDT up 0 recs

-1

Officially on the Anthony Randolph tip

by tobin on Aug 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, he is superior in ball handling, but Garnett is superior in almost all other areas. Passing is still up in the air.

by belilaugh on Aug 1, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

garnett is superior at life

by dso on Aug 2, 2008 12:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

+1

LOL HAHAHAHAHA that made my day I dont know why.. lol hahaha

Stop crying about it alright?!?! GO MULLIN.

by jeppalepala on Aug 2, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed.

And let me be clear, I was not at all trying to compare their SKILL LEVELS, just their bodies.

Officially on the Anthony Randolph tip

by tobin on Aug 1, 2008 1:02 PM PDT 0 recs

HE'S MORE OF A KEON CLARK. PLEASE DONT COMPARE HIM TO KG

Im not saying this to be funny. if you watch keon play, he reminds me of randolph. keon was decent so dont laugh

by ADOBO on Aug 2, 2008 1:23 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think he’ll end up more like a rashard lewis rather than kevin garnett, although id prefer him to become like a KG but i highly doubt it. He looks to more of a scorer and versatile and not as defensively minded or intense, just like rashard.

WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...

by JustSomeName on Aug 1, 2008 1:24 PM PDT 0 recs

you guys are hoomos...why would

want to post pictures of others guys. The p
author of this post is so Gaye. You guys are talking about guys bodies and how you want this yougster to look like. You guys are a very fond of the male body you losers. How about deleting this post this is not a homo forum. Thank you losers I mean ladies

by goldenstatewarriors on Aug 3, 2008 7:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hmm ... project much?

Not that there’s anything wrong with it…

Sign ^^^^ !!

by Sleepy Freud on Aug 3, 2008 7:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

You guys are talking about guys bodies and how you want this yougster to look like. Y

so do you watch the WNBA so you don’t hafta look at men in shorts?
Actually I’d watch the girls play if they played in mud on a soft court.

Till I get free
I live my life in the Walmart
Cholesterol chasin me

by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 3, 2008 10:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

hmm

i remember in one of the summer league games a couple of weeks ago that randolph got ejected. so i think we all might underestimating this kids intensity. he’s got a nice chip on his shoulder for falling all the way down to us at 14 so hopefully he’ll really show the other teams that they made a mistake.

by lowchi on Aug 1, 2008 1:35 PM PDT 0 recs

It’s not his intensity that concerns me so much as his shot selection. If he cannot somehow learn to be a more efficient scorer, all the intensity in the world won’t make things right.

14 overall pick. It would be great if he pans out. He’s clearly a talented athlete with some great physical gifts and seems to be a good kid to boot. If it works out, great. It will make things good for a long, long time. But banking on the success of a #14 as part of your long term plan for success is a fool’s gamble.

by jae on Aug 1, 2008 1:59 PM PDT 1 recs

Garnett?

I like the possibility. I dint follow Garnett in his early years, what draft position was he? How long did it take for him to develop in the Kevin Garnett we know today? If Rudolf does become KG#2 does that mean he’ll languish on our team for about 10 years then win a ring the first year after he leaves?

Till I get free
I live my life in the Walmart
Cholesterol chasin me

by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 1, 2008 1:59 PM PDT 0 recs

You need some prozac

by smearthebeard on Aug 1, 2008 3:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

You need some prozac

you need a midol

Till I get free
I live my life in the Walmart
Cholesterol chasin me

by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 1, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Both of your acts are tired...

well get off the bench and check in

Till I get free
I live my life in the Walmart
Cholesterol chasin me

by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 2, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

damn... I'm just tired

...I gonna roll one up!

by Tony.psd on Aug 2, 2008 4:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

MY GOSH TONY!

are you thinkin what im thinkin when you say roll one up?

Stop crying about it alright?!?! GO MULLIN.

by jeppalepala on Aug 2, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

you

you sound like homo. I tony this tony that WTF

by goldenstatewarriors on Aug 3, 2008 7:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Garnett was picked 5th in the 1995 draft, the warriors had a chance for him with the #1 pick but chose Joe Smith instead _... anyways, looking at his career stats, he was merely average in his first season and started to come into his own during his 2nd and 3rd seasons and has been dominant ever since. He’s had 20pts-10rebs averages every year ever since then, except this past year when he was with the celtics and took a backseat to his teammates, and we all know how that turned out. Heres to hope that randolph WILL be a very talented star in the nba in the next coming seasons…or he’ll bust and the warriors will stay in that ‘rebuilding’ mode for another few years

WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...

by JustSomeName on Aug 1, 2008 2:14 PM PDT 0 recs

Garnett

I think he was #5 (Warriors took the great Joe Smith #1 followed by Mcdyess, Rasheed, Stackhouse then Garnett- could be wrong about last three.

by gsfool on Aug 1, 2008 2:15 PM PDT 0 recs

An aggressive Lamar Odom. Think about that. Lamar Odom has the talent to be the best player on a championship team, but he is not purely because of his mindset. He does not realize how good he is.

Anthony Randolph is an aggressive Lamar Odom.

by Nellieball on Aug 1, 2008 2:19 PM PDT 0 recs

Aggreesive Lamar Odom=Rashard Lewis

WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...

by JustSomeName on Aug 1, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

No, not really. Odom does some things, even as “passive” as it seems most paint him to be, that Rashard Lewis doesn’t do. Odom rebounds, and rebounds well. That’s a big, big, big difference between him and Lewis, big enough to make any real comparison between them as some sort of player archetype meaningless.

by jae on Aug 1, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

And Odom is just more skilled

Remember that game against the Warriors, he took over

Playoffs!!??

by PAWarrior on Aug 1, 2008 4:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Aggressive Lamar Odom >>>>>> Rashard Lewis

If Odom had the killer instinct he would be a Top 10 player in the league. He can do it all. He is an above average rebounder, solid defender… can guard most PFs and most SFs but the exceptionally quick ones.

One offense he is unique in that he can handle and pass like a guard, but he still has a solid jumpshot (not automatic, but you have to respect it) and has low post moves.

Dude is a beast, he just doesn’t consistently play like one.

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by FLAxwless on Aug 3, 2008 12:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Banking on the success of the number 14 pick....

Is bad? Then what does that mean when you give a number 40 pick 60 million to “bank” on the long term success? Being drafted 14 doesnt mean you cant be a superstar, I dont get that argument at all. If your a lottery pick in the NBA your pretty damn good with the possibilty of being a superstar, so to say thats a fool’s gamble is pretty foolish itself. With that being said, its probably far-fetched that he will be a Kevin Garnett, but I for one would love to see that. I think the more aggresive Lamar Odom is probably more likely for Randolph.

by pbra17 on Aug 1, 2008 2:30 PM PDT 0 recs

Being drafted 14 doesnt mean you cant be a superstar, I dont get that argument at all.

You don’t get the argument perhaps because you made the argument up. I never EVER said that he couldn’t become a superstar. That’s your own pedestrian misreading. Your “not getting it” would have some meaning if anyone made that argument, but since I certainly didn’t, it’s pretty damn irrelevant what you do or do not get.

Being drafted #14 doesn’t mean you can’t be a superstar, but it suggests that you probably won’t. If you’re depending on someone drafted #14 turning into an elite player as part of your plan, your plan stinks as it’s depending on something that has a low likelihood of happening. Depending on it happening as part of your long term strategy is stupid. It’s more likely that not that a #14 player will not become a star. Hell, many never even make it past bench-warmer. I’m sure everyone would like to believe that their #14 pick is special, is somehow different, but history indicates that most guys who make it that far in the draft don’t do particularly well. Sure some do, but most don’t. Banking on the success is a fool’s bet in that you’re banking heavily on a longshot.

Randolph is a gifted athlete who has skills that aren’t regularly found in a player as tall as he is. If he can put it all together, he could be very good. But there was a reason that he didn’t get picked earlier. There are reasons to believe that it won’t all come together, that the “talent” and “potential” won’t gel into an elite (or even highly productive) player. He didn’t show himself to be a discriminating shooter and as such connected for a very pedestrian percentage from the floor for a guy his size. He was often the tallest guy on the court and was almost always among the quicker, more coordinated guys on the court, yet his performance in college wasn’t dominating. What was missing? Is it something that he can get together? Sure, maybe, perhaps. But it’s not a given that this will happen. It’s not even close to a given. He got people excited by some good scoring games in the summer league, but again, when all was said and done, it took him quite a few shots to get those points. A 45% clip from your SF isn’t particularly good in the NBA, let alone the summer league. He is a work in progress, and some of those works never really get finished. Several other teams believed that the odds of success were low enough that they’d be better off looking at another player.

Then what does that mean when you give a number 40 pick 60 million to "bank" on the long term success?

I certainly hope you’re aware that you’ve presented a meaningless, specious comparison. It means that you’re not evaluating him as a second round pick anymore, but evaluating the far, far more important three years he’s played in the league.

by jae on Aug 1, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up 1 recs

Nelson said he would have picked Randolph in the top 5. Now that could have been blowing smoked, but given the fact that Randolph is so gifted and unusually skilled for his size, I believe Nellie. He has always liked really unusual players that are match up nightmares. Randolph, if he puts it together, would be exactly that.

I seriously think the kid is going to be very special, and I don’t have to look at Summer League box scores to think that. I have watched several of his college games, and every summer league game I could. I watched the games not caring about stats, but just to watch the kid on the floor. His skills he has along with that body… I mean who else in the NBA has that? Who is 6-11 and has that type of handle? Lamar Odom, maybe Rashard Lewis, Melo is 6-9 and has dribbling ability, Lebron is 6-8 and has dribblng ability, Darius Miles had that kind of ability. He has better handles than Dirk and AK 47. Better handles than Josh Smith. Better handles than KG.

As far as dribbling, passing, rebounding, scoring, shooting…. there is really nothing he cannot do.

My point is, his skill set is so rare for his size, that to me, it is totally up to him if he is going to be a star in this league. If he works hard, improves his jumper (which I do not think will be a problem), and maybe cleans up his post game a little bit, he is going to be extremely tough to match up with. EXTREMELY tough. And you know what? I think he can do it. He had an aggressive demeanor at LSU and has a chip on his shoulder for dropping to 14th.

Of course he has to get stronger and improve his existing skills, but I believe Anthony Randolph will be a flat out star in the league. It is just totally up to him to work hard and want it. He could take the D MIles (drunk at practice) path, or the Dirk (extremely hard worker) path.

Yes, you could say “Well, it is totally up to every player if they are going to be good.” And that is very true. But I can count the players in the NBA that have Anthony Randolph’s tools on one hand. If he wants it, he can be great, and I am talking about best player on a championship team great.

by Nellieball on Aug 1, 2008 7:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nelson said he would have picked Randolph in the top 5.

Nelson says many things. I have much, much less faith in his comments here than you do.

by jae on Aug 1, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Just look up the type of players that have been successful for Don Nelson since he has been a coach in the league. Bucks, Dallas, Warriors both times. Look at players he has traded for. He has always liked really skilled, unusual players that are one on one match up nightmares. Then he spreads the floor for them to make it even easier for his players to operate. He has been like this for 27 years. Irregardless of where Don picked him or what he said, Randolph is tailor made for the style of play Nelson employs.

If you read my post again, the first 11 words are not very relative to the actual point I was trying to make.

by Nellieball on Aug 1, 2008 10:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

Randolph is tailor made for the style of play Nelson employs.

so was dunlevey and al.

by Rach on Aug 1, 2008 10:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

No, contrary to popular belief, Dunleavy is actually not tailor made for Nelsons system. While Dunleavy is a good ball handler for his size, he is not a very good one on one player. We saw him play for several years, and we all know that is not his game. I think what hurt Dunleavy under nelson was his lack of a post game. He was often guarded by smaller players, and Mike D. was unable to successfully and consistently score off the block in an isolation situation. Dunleavy is a fine player, but is a guy who needs to be part of an offense when he can get the ball on the move and not have to rely on creating for himself.

We all know the Warriors are at their best (in the half court) when they are moving the ball, but all of that ball movement is keyed off dribble penetration that is made possible by favorable one on one match-ups that are exposed when the floor is spread.

As for Al, he is a 4 who can shoot the ball from the outside which Nelson likes, but his inconsistancy in other areas prevented Nelson from using him as anything other than a shooter. Al’s dance in and out of the doghouse undoubtedly hurt his confidence, and much of his play suffered. However, you have to admit that when Al is shooting well from the outside, The Warriors are a very, very tough team to beat. He draws the other teams 4 out of the paint, which spreads the floor even more. This is very benefical to the Warriors style of play.

I really do not think Al’s problem is Nelson’s system. I think his problem is the conference he is in. In the East, he was able be an undersized 4 who could score in many different situations. In the West, Boozer, Duncan, Dirk, Brand (until this upcoming year), Amare, Pau, West, and Al Jefferson are going to make a player like Al Harrington pay for being on the floor. Al Harrington is a fine player. He is just over matched in many of the games he plays in.

by Nellieball on Aug 1, 2008 11:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

if he's lucky he'll end up a skinnier version of me

im super buff/tall/godly yo

by dso on Aug 1, 2008 3:09 PM PDT 0 recs

Needs to shoot better

if you’re comparing Rashard Lewis, he’s a much better at 3pt range, and Randolph didn’t exactly shoot well in summer league. He does get to the line a lot and can make free throws.

by shootda3 on Aug 1, 2008 5:59 PM PDT 0 recs

Mmmmmm....

Free Throws…

That’s why I like Randolph & Maggette…

by Dubs fan in Boston on Aug 4, 2008 9:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

he's more like

With more passion

Ronny Turiaf, the real face of franchise.

by 61ixty on Aug 1, 2008 7:40 PM PDT 0 recs

JAE

Is god, and knows all.

by pbra17 on Aug 1, 2008 8:00 PM PDT 0 recs

Those compliments

are illegal here in GSoM! SHAME ON YOU!

Stop crying about it alright?!?! GO MULLIN.

by jeppalepala on Aug 2, 2008 11:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Michael Redd

might be the final piece of the puzzle if Belinelli doesn’t prove to be a lights out nba shooter.

2008 Champions Boston Celtics vs 2012 Champions Goldenstate Warriors

PG Rondo – Ellis

SG Allen – Belinelli/Redd

SF Pierce – Maggette

PF KG – Randolph

C Perkins – Biedrins

by gambinofam on Aug 1, 2008 9:33 PM PDT 0 recs

anyway

my boi AR should be compare to the great Scottie Pippen. Looks they both could handle and pass the ball’s. If he could learn how to shoots and plays D like him….well we got the next coming of Scottie Pippen. I could smells 22, 8, 8 with 2 blk and steals in 4-5 yrs. Hopefully it will turn out like that. Or he could be half as good as pippen. I take that too. all star game yr after yr.

by warriorfan4life on Aug 2, 2008 12:13 PM PDT 0 recs

Give AR some credit please....

This kid can handle the rock. He is smooth as silk for someone that is 6”10. I got to give him credit for that.

I will say though it is all a matter of where nelson plays him for him to be sucessful. If he even thinks about playing him at the 4 or 5 against stronger players he will not be a factor at all. He is a weak one on one defender on stronger players. If he plays the 3 and can use his length to shoot over people he will be great. Also it will allow him on defense to play more off to the ball and maybe get more looks at weakside help blocks.

To further my point our very own Hendrix lit up Randolph when they played LSU last year. Hendrix schooled their entire team most of the night and randoplh, who wasn’t origionally gaurding him, was pulled over to play on him. hendirx was just tougher. So I hope Nelly plays him at the 3 so we can see what he can do.

by shooter1525 on Aug 2, 2008 9:04 PM PDT 0 recs

AR-KG

Though A.R. has a very similar skillset coming out of his first year of college, it is almost impossible for a rookie to come out of their first year and play like KG did. Let alone develop into a superstar. AR will eventually be a good player, question is, “Is that where it ends?”. I believe he can rise to at least to Lamar Odom’s level of play, but in seeing his tenacity and intensity on the court over summer league,he may be better. That passion is what creates a KG, it’s what creates a Tim Duncan or a Jordan. Superstars are that good, because they WANT to be, not because other players aren’t necessarily as good as others, but because certain players commit themselves to excellency, to being the best.

- iBall, do you?

by iBallGSW on Aug 3, 2008 2:04 PM PDT 0 recs

agreed, kg is a force of nature because he wants it more than anyone else. and i do mean anyone, he wants to win to the point where it can sometimes be a problem for him on the court. he just goes for it too hard and ends up making the ocassional dumb mistake. the guy has no brakes.

i don’t remember kg’s high school skillset all that well, but i don’t think it was as close to randolph’s as you say. randolph is essentially a small forward who played out of position throughout college. if he can get stronger and develop a better post game, then he might be a great pf, but really, he’s not likely to play a similar brand of basketball as kg. let randolph be randolph and don’t throw him into the kg mold (even if we acknowledge that the passion and not skillset is what makes kg great) just yet. let him find his game first.

by cap'n hack on Aug 4, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up 0 recs