Steinmetz blog: Randolph looks good in Rocky Mtn Revue deb..

Randolph looks good in Rocky Mountain Revue debut though it's not the
best barometer
POSTED July 21, 2:05 PM


After watching Anthony Randolph for one half on Monday afternoon at
the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, it seems like it’s going
to be impossible to get a read on him until training camp and the
regular season.

Even playing with Marco Belinelli, Brandan Wright and C.J. Watson _
like he did last week in Vegas _ Randolph handled the ball the lion’s
share of the time. But without those three players in the lineup on
Monday, Randolph has turned into the team’s do-everything player in
SLC.

On the one hand, it’s good that the Warriors’ coaching staff feels
good enough about Randolph to let him handle and create as much as it
has. On the other, it’s hard to imagine Randolph having this kind of a
role for at least a few seasons. If ever.

Randolph is impressive in person, often big enough to look over
defenders when he’s out on the perimeter and plenty quick enough to
get by opposing fours and fives when they come out to challenge.

But he hasn’t yet made enough plays for teammates to suggest he could
be a secondary ballhandler _ not right away, at least.

We’re not going to get a complete picture of Randolph until we can see
what he can do when other quality players are on the floor and when he
doesn’t have the ball in his hands quite so much.

Maybe he’ll be the type of player who has to have the ball in his
hands and who can’t contribute enough when it’s not. Or maybe he’ll
turn out to be the kind of player who thrives when he’s able to play
with solid teammates who take some pressure off him.

Who knows? But watching Randolph get into the lane time and time again
off dribble penetration from the top, it’s clear the Warriors haven’t
had a player this big and this talented in a long while.

Dare we say since Chris Webber.

More from the Rocky Mountain Revue to come.