Thorpe's Rook + Soph Rankings 7. Anthony Randolph, Warriors Most 20-year-old basketball players in...

Thorpe's Rook + Soph Rankings

7. Anthony Randolph, Warriors
Most 20-year-old basketball players in America are playing their sophomore season in college. Randolph, meanwhile, has been a very productive and efficient NBA player. If this list were based purely on upside, he'd be ranked even higher.

Questions still exist about his lack of maturity and whether he's better as a 3 or a 4, but I love the improvement he showed before he got hurt. He's one of the most versatile big men in the game and, if he ever learns to shoot the ball well, could be an All-Star someday.

15. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry is the toughest guy for me to gauge. I absolutely love his game and have always believed he could be an excellent point guard. However, I still see him as a bit unproven, simply because of where he is playing -- Golden State is so unlike any other NBA system. Otherwise, he'd be higher on this list.

He appears to be a good playmaker and perhaps can become an excellent one. And, of course, he's a terrific shooter, so he can play in any system and with any players. Imagine him in a Cavs uniform. Or a Heat one. Wow.

Comments

People still think AR is a 3?

How?

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"

by dubzfan on Feb 10, 2010 2:06 PM PST reply actions

The answer lies in this statement

Randolph, meanwhile, has been a very productive and efficient NBA player.

Obviously this guy hasn’t watched more than 3 games that Randolph played.

by VERY VERY BUSY on Feb 10, 2010 4:24 PM PST up reply actions

What makes you say that?

Anthony Randolph (per game): 22.7 min, 44.3%FG, 80%FT, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 11.6 points

Per 36: 44.3%FG, 10.3 rebounds, 2 Assists, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks, 18.5 points

He might not be shooting at a high percentage, but before he got injured, he was starting to hit his jumper, and he rebounds very efficiently. Scoring isn’t the only thing that can be efficient.

by edreese23 on Feb 10, 2010 4:29 PM PST up reply actions

article writen by "Guy who has not watched a single game not involving; lebron, kobe, dwayne wade"

by tafkasam on Feb 10, 2010 4:43 PM PST reply actions

Post written by a guy who has not read a single article by said author.

Obviously you know nothing about Thorpe to write such a false post. He watches about 4 games a day and concentrates his viewings on the top rookies and sophomores. Maybe you think the 3 players you named are rookies or sophomores, but you would be wrong.

by Dubbadown on Feb 10, 2010 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

question

how has randolph been efficient? Statistically he is very inefficient scroer for a power forwards

by tafkasam on Feb 10, 2010 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

Scoring isn't the only statistic that one can be efficient in.

by edreese23 on Feb 10, 2010 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

but its the 1 most commonly associated with it.

He rebounds efficiently, but typically people don’t write “he’s efficient” in regards to rebounding. He isn’t a great defender. Average passer.

Secondly the fact he says ‘questions exist where he’s a 3 or 4" shows how little he truly watched randolph. I don’t think Randolph has shown anything to say he’s a viable SF in the nba ANYTIME soon… if ever.

by tafkasam on Feb 10, 2010 9:50 PM PST up reply actions

First of all, this list is a combination of the past, present and future. So basically, Thorpe took the 20 1st and 2nd year players that he thinks have shown the most promise and have the brightest futures in the league. Its not about being an efficient scorer. And I think we can all agree, that nobody really knows what the future has in store for AR but sky is the limit. And Thorpe has been saying that since day 1.

Secondly, regarding whether he is a 3 or 4. If you did a search on GSOM and all posts related to AR and what his position is, you would probably find about 500 posts debating whether his future is at a 3 or 4. No one really knows. Sure he played mainly 4 or 5 this year, but there were some projections then when he learned the game a little better, he would eventually settle in at the 3. This is not anything new. So for you to question him for asking that question is silly.

by Dubbadown on Feb 10, 2010 11:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Well put

Though the “3 or 4” debate is asinine and should be put to rest. He’s a 4 or 5. He can’t reliably hit a jumper, his handles are not good enough for him to beat a 3 on the perimeter (no jumper and no handles means useless on the perimeter unless he’s being guarded by a big slow dude that he can just blow by with speed), and his interior defense is much better than his perimeter defense.

Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.

-randolphforpresident

by Dubs fan in Boston on Feb 11, 2010 9:47 AM PST up reply actions

Thorpe reiterated in his chat that he thinks AR would be a Hall of Famer if he played for the Spurs/Popovich.

I agree.

by bradyk2 on Feb 11, 2010 10:30 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, wasn’t that in response to the Spurs fan who suggested a Richard Jefferson for Maggette AND Randolph trade? Good to know that Dub fans aren’t the only delusional fans. “Yeah can we have your overpaid has-been?? In return we will give you our slightly over-paid, semi efficient, but injury prone player and our 2nd year man-child who has the potential to dominate the league in 5 years.” Good one.

by Dubbadown on Feb 11, 2010 1:46 PM PST up reply actions