Steinmetz blog: Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson look like ro..

Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson look like role players, but who knows
about Anthony Randolph
POSTED July 22, 2:53 PM


The Warriors and Nets played on Monday but it’s still not too late to
put down a few impressions of a couple of Bay Area products playing
for the New Jersey.

It wasn’t a good afternoon for Brook Lopez or Ryan Anderson.

Lopez, the No. 10 selection out of Stanford, and Anderson, the No. 21
pick out of Cal, didn’t make much of an impact against the Warriors.

What stood out most about Lopez was his sheer size. He already has an
NBA body but it appears as if the NBA game has a lot of catching up to
do. Lopez isn’t likely to be any kind of offensive factor early in his
career and perhaps maybe ever.

He is very methodical down low with his most comfortable move the
little half-hook along the baseline. He didn’t get that to go down on
Monday, and if Lopez can’t get that shot to go down at the pro level
we’re looking at a defensive specialist, at best.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just that fans will
expect a lot more out of the No. 10 pick.

As for Anderson, the first thing that stood out was the Nets’ coaching
staff had him playing the small forward position, which isn’t going to
work at the pro level. Any advantage Anderson has will come at the
four position, where he can use his perimeter skills to better
advantage.

Anderson’s just not going to be able to match up against small
forwards on the defensive end and he’s not likely to have much of an
advantage against them offensively, either.

He also looked uncomfortable shooting the 3, and it almost seemed like
he’s struggling to adjust to the extra distance at the pro level.

I'm not making the case Lopez and/or Anderson are going to struggle or
fail or anything like that at the pro level. But what I am saying is
that if you're talking athleticism and talent and star potential,
neither of those two are in the same league as Anthony Randolph.