The Sad Expressions Of Anthony Randolph
by Jon Marthaler on Jan 13, 2012 10:00 AM CST
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PrintAnthony Randolph is getting a bit more playing time this year than he did at the end of last year, and I can't help but notice that he does not look particularly excited when he's on the floor. But he doesn't look disinterested, or like he doesn't want to be there, or angrily competitive; he just looks... sad.
After the jump, we examine a few photos of Randolph, and speculate on what's going through his mind.
"The vets say they tried everything they could think of. They did the surgery, they gave her the pills, but they say Fluffy ain't gonna make it through the night, man. FLUFFY, YOU'RE GOING SOMEPLACE WHERE THERE'S UNLIMITED BACON AND YOU CAN BARK AT THE MAILMAN FOREVER."
"You see those kids up there in Section 219, Beas? They're all at the game tonight, but every single one of those kids went to bed hungry last night, and tomorrow night they'll go to bed hungry again."
"The last time I saw somebody get tackled like that, I was just two steps slow to stop Sirhan Sirhan. RFK should have lived, man; he could have been great, and he would have been, if I wasn't too slow to prevent it."
"OH MAN I JUST REMEMBERED TODAY IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY CHALLENGER BLEW UP."
"HE WAS JUST FIVE YEARS OLD, MAN! Five years old! I don't understand why he had to go, I don't. He loved crayons. He loved juice. He used to sit on my lap and I'd read him Richard Scarry books. I DON'T UNDERSTAND LIFE."
"I know I should be passing out of this double-team, but man, I just can't stop thinking about all the buddies I left in the mud over in Korea."
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I think Randolph is arguably the most perplexing Wolves character
I think there is a stronger debate going on about whether to trade Williams or not, but I’d really love to see a TimAllen. vj110, SnP article on the future/role of Randolph.
He’s a guy who is about 12 feet long and super athletic, we’ve seen the shot-blocking ability before and he and Love appear to be a good fit on the front-line….but then offensively he doesn’t seem too interested in passing (however he does produce) and he at times can get pushed around pretty mercilessly in man-on-man situations
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Ricky Rubio is going to get him PAID
I don’t know what to think about AR, he seems nuttier than even Beas.
by MoreJuice on Jan 13, 2012 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
He oddly is supremely productive though lol
I hate watching him play, but I almost can’t argue with the results. Brother should play
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 13, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
Rubio obv makes him better. Though his jump shot is very respectable, he’s gotta learn to use that to his advantage (ie put the ball on the floor and drive). He’s very fun to watch when he’s hot.
by Jordan Seiffert on Jan 13, 2012 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
AR v. Beas
Is going to come down to which one buys into and executes Adelman’s offensive and defensive beliefs. That’s it. Right now AR has the lead after bottoming out 3-4 games in and getting yanked. Since then he’s been one of the Wolves’ best players.
by Dr. Wolfenstein on Jan 13, 2012 10:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Another fun fact about AR
He has a worse defensive rebounding percentage than Rubio. Go figure.
by Dr. Wolfenstein on Jan 13, 2012 10:45 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Rubio is really solid on the boards
Randolph missed a bunch of them in the Bulls game though, that was really frustrating.
(For his career he's obviously much better.)
Career DRB%: 21.9
This year: 12.9
Question of how he’s being used, seems like.
"Opinion ...a confession."
Dang...
Dude needs to box out
Looking for tickets to Wolves' 2011 NBA Preseason Champion ring ceremony, banner unfurling. Please contact
by Black Jack Davy on Jan 13, 2012 3:07 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe nutty play on the court. He's really a pretty nice, soft-spoken kid.
He’s done various interviews since back with the Warriors, and always seems basically sane to me. Certainly he’s not as goofy as Beasley.
He seems like a pretty low-key former military kid.
"Opinion ...a confession."
I'll give you my quick take on Adolph...
unlike Wes/Beasley/Darko he has honest-to-goodness potential. He could explode into a star at any moment, even though he probably won’t. He’s too stringy to play the 5 and too sloppy to play the 3. That makes him redundant with Love and Williams.
Normally this would mean “trade”, but his value around the league is close to zero, so I would probably be really disappointed with any deal we made. This puts me in a weird position with Adolph. Right now my biggest hope is that he continues to improve, and Adelman can make Adolph/Love work as a 4/5 combo defensively.
I do think the Love 5 thing can work
with the right 4. I am working on an NBA draft fanpost where I am previewing some of the perfect picks the Wolves should look into making a deal for and John Henson is a guy I really like to play the 4 with Love as a 5….but I look at Henson and part of me thinks we already have that guy in Randolph.
I think you probably should extend him 3/20 or something and keep working with him.
vj110, how do you then figure out potential? I can understand (and agree about Darko/Wes) but I think Beasley and Randolph have similar potential, I think Randolph however appears more likely to reach some level in that…as he understands how to make his skill set work in the NBA and it will largely come down to him buying into an actual basketball system.
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 13, 2012 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Randoph has produced...
in the NBA for several long stretches. That is what I look for. Beasley for all the hype, has never really done that. He has gone on hot shooting streaks, but he has never been a good player. Same for Wes and Darko.
Randolph can score from the field and get to the line. He can rebound at a high level (one area where he is currently well below his career norm and sure to progress to the mean). He can block shots. That is 3 certifiable NBA skills that he has demonstrated on the court in the NBA over relatively long stretches of time.
I am more down on Beasley than he probably deserves, mainly because he has been so uniquely awful so far this season. Beasley may have a shot as a PF, because he showed some chops there in Miami, and certainly did in college. However, Beasley the SF will not become a good player.
However, Beasley the SF will not become a good player.
I had hope for this coming into the season, that a year playing SF as an inefficient Volume Scorer could help Beasley turn the corner this year into a more efficeint SF, but alas, his start to this season has been uniquely awful. May need to change my sig.
Michael Beasley is a Small Forward. Derrick Williams is a Power Forward.
Let me save you some time in regards to your draft fan post
Last year, the Spurs traded 25 year old George Hill (league average PER, above league average WS/48) with 2 years left under contract at a very cheap price for the 15th pick in a widely perceived weak draft. DX has John Henson as the 7th rated prospect. I would argue the Wolves have nothing of value besides Derrick Williams (No way Ridnour- too Old or Randolph- Trade history+contract ending are enough) to trade into the draft. Unless you want to trade DWill for another lottery ticket, trading back into the draft will be damn near impossible.
The only hope for a 2012 draft pick is the Jazz making the playoffs, which from my point of view is highly unlikely, and even then, we’re looking at one of the Zellers or a Patric Young, e.g., nothing that is going to help us win games immediately.
Michael Beasley is a Small Forward. Derrick Williams is a Power Forward.
by Ebomb on Jan 13, 2012 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
2 things
1-I’m sure to make mention that John Henson seems like a lock to be a lottery pick.
2. you named 3 assets that individually couldn’t net us a higher pick in the draft, but there is nothing against the rules that says you can’t trade Ridnour/Randolph/Jazz pick for the 11th pick in the draft to get my personal favorite choice for the Wolves….Brad Beal or Austin Rivers in that order
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
So you love the draft so much you want to trade two of our currently producing players in Ridnour and Randolph as well as a draft pick for a higher draft pick? If the higher draft pick doesn’t pan out, we’ve lost 2 of our top 7 players for nothing. Count me against that type of move.
Michael Beasley is a Small Forward. Derrick Williams is a Power Forward.
RE: Potential
Forget what a player looks like or how springy he is. Does he have stretches of actual good NBA production? If so, what are the barriers for continued good production? What NBA skills (not athletic abilities) are utilized to reach this production? If they can be conquered, and with the available player skills, then a player has potential we can be interested in.
I would say this paragraph
Likely crystallizes the current debate between the old guard and new guard in NBA front offices.
Old-style scouts look at a guy’s physical characteristics, production, and character and try extrapolate in a subjective way from there.
New-style scouts look at a guy’s production and character and try to extrapolate in a numerical/objective way from there.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Jan 13, 2012 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
Well let's discuss this a little more
I think we almost always come to similar conclusions on players, I was never a huge fan of Wes/Flynn neither were you (and I guess I’m also speaking to the larger “anit-potential” continuum) I like Randolph to an extent, vj110 likes Randolph to an extent. I don’t think we’re ever too far off on players.
I don’t do the “looks the part” like the comment about Wes, but I look more for skills. Sure Wes looks like he is a good shooter, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hit an important shot in his life.
However I look at a guy like Williams and why I think he has big time scoring potential is already gets how to break a guy down on the perimeter and use his shot to create enough space for him to blow by his defenders. That is a big time skill. That is the exact skill we need in Minnesota to pair with Love and Rubio, he is a patient offensive player, he is realitviely smart and for the most part can hit open shots and big shots (thanks for that 1 fg against the Bulls, but it was a big one :-p) I get that he has stuff to work on, he’s gotta work on his defensive quickness, he’s gotta learn when to go up soft for a shot in the lane and when to power through (i think those charges early on got him a little gun shy to power) but the guy has absolute potential.
Beasley is a tough cookie to crack. I do think Beasley will make it at some point in the NBA an be a starter and a big time scorer. I think that his time is probably up in Minnesota as he has not player well enough to be extended and we’re going to have to make a decision. He has big time skills. his step back is absolutely fantastic and his lane agility is also very good. But he also seems to get frustrated and discouraged easily and can check out at any moment.
TimAllen made a really good point on his Wes coloum that read something like “the mental aspect of a guy’s career seems to be a mountain to over come in comparison to getting a guy to shoot better” and that might ultimately be the story on Beasley.
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
I'm not sure...
….how the loosely defined “skill set” is different than “athletic abilities” if it isn’t tied to results that can be measured. It doesn’t matter if he is “patient” or “relatively smart” or if he can hit “big shots”. This guy isn’t a hypothetical set of emotions, ideas, and high jump marks. He has an actual basketball track record with actual numbers concerning the efficiency in which he puts the little orange ball in the hoop, how well he rebounds, how many points/play he gives up on defense, etc. Smarts, super athleticism, patience…all these things are just bonuses if a guy can produce. It is possible to be all of these things without being good at pro basketball. Do they play a part? Of course, but they are value added concepts that shouldn’t be the first point of focus.
I'll stick with the way I've done it
But I do value being able to track production. And it is cool that we have stats that can make up for the lack of playing time and small sample sizes.
Also, I have been totally wrong too. Can’t believe Markeef is the bomb while Marcus has been doing nothing…If anything I would have bet that Marcus would have the actual NBA career….but it makes sense now that I think about it: Markeef has an actual position and a few NBA skills (rebounding, defense) while Marcus was more of a tweener who was going to have a tough time if he wasn’t scoring. Basically a poor man’s Thrilla
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
he can't use his right hand at all
that means he’ll never be good on offense, unless he really works on it.
I say up his trade value than deal him.
"he'll never be good on offense"
The numbers say he already is good on offense.
He shoots something like 83% at the rim this season.
He looks like a trainwreck, but he gets results.
And, having a point guard (like Rubio) who gets him the ball only in spots where he succeeds will go a long way.
My only question is what the qualifying offer will cost us this summer.
It has to be a lot lower than Beasley, due to their draft positions.
Check out Humdinger TV on YouTube.
http://twitter.com/HumdingerTV
by HumdingerTV on Jan 13, 2012 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
according to Draft Express
$4,049,523
http://loisaidabbclub.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @loisaidabbclub
by beatsandpeasnyc on Jan 13, 2012 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
Uh...
When he joined our team last year, his career PER was the 2nd highest on the team.
He didn’t suddenly start putting up numbers.
He’s had highs and lows which still average out to above average output.
Check out Humdinger TV on YouTube.
http://twitter.com/HumdingerTV
by HumdingerTV on Jan 13, 2012 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
I Second This Idea
Anthony Randolph and what he is/represents/could be is an interesting issue, I think. There are several Wolves I would just rather let walk/move for 2nd rounders just to open their roster spots and salary space (e.g., Beasley, Wes). But Randolph’s definitely not in that group: They’re going to have to make a decision on him.
Most likely, they’ll just give him the QO (about $4 million, I believe) and he’ll possibly be a UFA after next season. So, they have time.
In the meantime, he’s been largely productive. If he puts together a decent stretch of consistent, productive play, I wonder if he’ll force himself into the Wolves plans, or draw interest from other teams and become a rare (interesting) trade chip.
I often ponder this interview with John Amaechi...
On Dan LeBatard’s show in which he flat out says that most NBA players don’t actually love playing the game. I wasn’t shocked at what he had to say, but it sure is nice to hear someone being frank about it.
by BenLayne23 on Jan 13, 2012 10:17 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Amaechi is pretty damn awesome.
That’s nearly 7 minutes of thoughtful banter on a wide variety of subjects. Really great stuff.
That's great stuff.
The world needs more of that kind of person.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 13, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure I do.
What did I do there?
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 13, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah,
I was kind of wondering what you did there. I figured it must have been really clever because I couldn’t even begin to see it…
A smart one
who seems to also be compassionate and empathetic.
Though I suppose I’d also appreciate a situation in which more gay men were comfortable being out as well.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 13, 2012 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This from the world's most exceptional man?
I personally have witnessed Jason, who is a vegetarian, at a drinking establishment being asked whether he would “like” to see the menu. It surely must be a form of higher level mind control for him to, without any physical or verbal clues, convince the waitstaff that, yes indeed, he is quite interested in the Buffalo Wings with the blue cheese dipping sauce! It is beyond Obi-Wan, higher level mind control. So yes indeed, I see what you did there sir….
2012 the year of Twolves porcelain extraction?
Actually,
my whole purpose in forcing the waitstaff to my will was so I’d have an opportunity to sneer at their menu of dead animals. Mwahahahahaha!
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 14, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions
Anthony Randolph
Is just upset and sad that the Wolves actually have a coach that has discipline. He knows he’ll get benched if he doesn’t play within the offense, so the “every time I touch the ball I’ll shoot it” mentality has to go.
He’s an incredible talent, an incredible talent, but I think I’ve seen him touch the ball a whole 2 times this season on the offensive end of the floor when he hasn’t shot it.
That’s not going to fly with Adelman, and Randolph knows it.
Should say:
An incredible talent, an incredible athlete…
Exception
to that rule: any time Rubio gives you the ball — SHOOT IT!
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
by TMiss on Jan 13, 2012 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Unless it's to rotate it to a corner three this is about spot on.
600 N First Ave "like a Pirate's cove".
he does seem to have learned the
find-Ricky-when-you-get-a-Defensive-Rebound Rule on this team…no longer dribbling it coast to coast.
http://loisaidabbclub.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @loisaidabbclub
by beatsandpeasnyc on Jan 13, 2012 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
great point
about the point. I did see two instances in the bulls game where randolph gave it to rubio right away, probably spurred by a coach telling him what you said. As good as a ball handler as AR is for a tall guy, you gotta give the rock to ricky. So he can boost his assist total. And make sportscenter.
by Jordan Seiffert on Jan 13, 2012 2:38 PM CST up reply actions
Not to mention, do things to help the team that only he can do.
It’s not all about numbers and media.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 13, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions
I think Beasley is more talented at basketball the A/R, but A/R's ability to play with Rubio is making him more appealing now
Unlike Beasley he doesn’t wave off Rubio, but works off of him and it has been great for him.
In that NBA playbook piece about great pick n roll ball by Rubio, it was Randolph setting most of the screens and rolling. He seems to show a good understanding of that part of the game.
Maaaaybe
Randolph is pretty talented.
I’m a big eyetest/potential guy and I might side with the stats guys on this…Randolph has so much ability (as does Beasley)
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 13, 2012 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Eye Test Potential Guy?
Is that you David?
Michael Beasley is a Small Forward. Derrick Williams is a Power Forward.
I'm trying to get a pulse of the people
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
yeah
I was more impressed with Randolph after seeing that NBA playbook post. He really does work the pick n roll well with Rubio. I’m really hoping he starts at center tonight with Rubio at point. Yeah, I think we can do that.
Think about it.
I think given some time to develop a cohesiveness, Rubio and Randolph could turn out very similar to Amar’e nash of 07. all 4 players are very similar in terms of ability.
by Deetroit basketball! on Jan 13, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
The one of AR and AK47
Might be the least flattering photograph taken of all time. For both of them. Kirilenko looks like an evil extra from Lord of the Rings, and Randolph, well, that’s what they call a mask of tragedy.
Harsher Than Scissors
Kirilenko always looks like that though....
Every minute of everyday.
I watch this team, and i care so much, simply because i can’t not. It’s just a part of who i am..
More Adolph pics: I think this was taken as he was walking down Hennepin this summer....
http://loisaidabbclub.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @loisaidabbclub
by beatsandpeasnyc on Jan 13, 2012 11:53 AM CST reply actions
I think Nellie messed AR up
By feeding into his desire to be a point-forward and handle the ball.
Yes, his ball-handling is above average for a 7 footer.
No, that doesn’t make it a good idea for him to act like a 7 foot Kobe and try to dribble drive into traffic.
I like a lot of the things AR can do. For me, he’d have to show the following to become part of the long term core:
- Give up the point forward dream. Let Rubio handle the ball & create. Accept the role of Camby 2.0. Rebound and block shots. Shoot some wide open jumpers, but stay near the rim most of the time.
- Pass when you are not open.
- Show up every night. Give Adelman a consistent 10 & 8 rather than a steller 18 & 12 one night and then two stink bombs of 4 & 3.
Can he do it? I hate how often we’ve said this and been disappointed – so I dunno.
Over the years, if only
- Foye could learn how to be a PG
- Brewer could learn to dribble and take better shots
- Johnson could learn to dribble and be more aggressive
- Darko could show up every night, rebound, and stop the soft hooks
- Eddie Griffin could show up every night and take better shots
- Pekovic could stop fouling so much and rebound more
- Beasley could focus for 48 minutes and stop taking so many long twos
…
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
Nellie never feeded that desire though
in fact he consistently benched AR and threatened to trade him, cause Randolph was trying to do too much on offense.
At the end Randolph was in the doghouse
But earlier Nellie had big plans
It seems obvious that Randolph can at least rebound, block shots and run. So why not ask him to do those things and those things exclusively from the power forward position (where, at this point, he’s at less of a disadvantage than at other spots)?
That’s it … learn the plays from the four position and try to go get the ball every time you can.
Instead, Nelson has played Randolph at small forward and power forward in both games and practices this season. He also has had Randolph playing point forward in practice situations.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Jan 13, 2012 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
I love this post. I always thought Randolph looked like the kid who was picked on too much and finally lashed out. You know, you’re busting on his mom non-stop, he starts to cry then he finally has had enough and starts swinging at anything and everything around him. That “I’m sad, but I’m not gonna take it anymore!” look.
At least he doesn't look like a Velociraptor
ie Chris Bosh.
by Doug West Domination!!! on Jan 13, 2012 1:19 PM CST reply actions
Or Mr. Potato Head on acid
like Sam Cassell.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 13, 2012 3:16 PM CST up reply actions
I chuckled
Jonny "Bag o' Chips" Flynn is gone, who's next?
Crystal Ball says Wes "The Ghost" Johnson
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 13, 2012 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
AR
Has always reminded me of Stromile Swift. Stro had some very good years but was too much of a knucklehead to ever reach his potential. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/player/hollinger/_/id/829/stromile-swift
I think AR could reach his potential given that he’s still very young, but it’s probably not as a center. His best stretch of play last year, for example, was when Love was hurt and he played almost exclusively at the 4.
Pretty hilarious
But I can’t bring myself to say anything bad about the guy.. I think if there are lineup changes soon, one of the first will be trying him at starting center/forward. Maybe tonight?
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