Should we start putting Randle at C?

Kupchak9 · Post #1 » by **Kupchak9** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 9:40 pm

If the goal is to replicate the Warriors offense, then Randle will ultimately have to play the Draymond Green role in our poor man's version of the Death Lineup. He played at C in a few stretches with very mixed results.

Take a look at the three highlighted rows.

http://imgur.com/24B1nzT

In the 1st lineup, he's paired with Larry Nance in the frontcourt but is taking more shots at an unsuccessful rate. Secondly his overall rebound and block rate are down. Not ideal for what we want at the 5. This could likely be due to poor conditioning. Doing too much to create his own shot on offense then taking plays off on defense.

In the 2nd lineup, he's the only big in the frontcourt. But again, shot attempts are up and efficiency is down. Rebound and block rate is down as well. So from what we've seen, it does not serve us well to have him be the only big in the frontcourt.

In the 3rd lineup, we see positive results. He's paried up again with Nance in the frontcourt. He's taking less shots but is much more efficient, while still generating more points. Rebound and blk rate are up and he is much less turnover prone. The big difference here is that Lou is in the lineup, who was by far our most efficient player. Lou ultimately minimized Randle's role to focus strictly on finishing, rebounding and protecting the paint, which ended up generating positive results for us.

In that successful lineup we have: Clarkson | Ingram | Nance | Randle | Lou

Let's swap out Clarkson and Lou with Russell and Ball. Ball's going to take over Lou's former role as the primary ball-handler to set guys up for easy finishes. Russell's going to be the secondary ball-handler with scoring priorities. So that's going to be:

Ball | Russell | Ingram | Nance | Randle

This is by far the lineup I'm most excited to see. Bunch of athletic guys doing what they do best, and just outrunning everybody on the court. Of course we're not taking a whole lot of consideration to defense, which is where Draymond's true talents are, but I think to start we need to focus on re-engineering Randle's mindset. He's a guy with almost identical physical tools and athleticism as Draymond. He can pass and has decent court-vision. He can be a competent defender when focused. He's got some range from outside the key. He is NOT an efficient scorer and should not try to be creating his own shot. We need him to play to the TEAM's strengths and do all the little things that wins games.

He's entering a contract year, so those are the key areas I'd like to see him improve. Defense, effort, overall smarter decision-making. I think the addition of Ball, Russell's transition to SG and Ingram's improvement will do wonders for Randle by making him a much more cerebral player. I'm optimistic that he can turn things around.

Post #2 » by **Kilroy** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 10:51 pm

Go check the numbers again... He's a hell of a lot more efficient than you realize.

He's also a much better facilitator than you realize.

And No.

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TylersLakers · Post #3 » by **TylersLakers** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 10:58 pm

I wouldn't start him there. However, I certainly see a lot of situations with either he/Nance playing small ball C.

I voted "No" though.

Landsberger · Post #4 » by **Landsberger** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 1:31 am

Why emulate the Warriors? We don't have anything near their talent level. Teams used to try and emulate the Kobe led Lakers too. Some even used the Triangle.

Why not build an offense around the talent we have rather than copy another team?

To the point... No. I think developing a true inside scorer (maybe Zubac) is a differentiator and that Randle's unique skill set adds more at the 4 than it does at the 5 to this current group.

XXBKXX · Post #5 » by **XXBKXX** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 5:13 am

Haillllll NOOO. His alligator arms wouldn't scare anyone from driving the paint. We need a legit athletic 7 ft rim running defender. Enough of this small ball crap

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dAdo dA dEvil · Post #6 » by **dAdo dA dEvil** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 8:39 am

No. Are we trying to make Randle the next Chuck Hayes? :lol:

stan francisco · Post #7 » by **stan francisco** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 1:47 pm

I'm all for playing Randle at SF, PF, C. He's got the quick feet to hang with most SFs, but with a size advantage. I'd like to see this as a different look to play stretches of games to change/stop momentum from opponent:

Ingram
Russell
Randle
Zubacca
Mozgov

That's size to think about for the opponent. Makes us the aggressor, forces them to react, takes them out of their game plan.

Five minutes here and there is all I ask for, Luke.

Ball is not on our roster yet.

john248 · Post #8 » by **john248** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 3:09 am

Nope. Randle needs to play alongside a good defensive anchor as he cannot be the one to be a vocal leader on that end. His offense isn't good enough to offset that; not even close.

No on Randle at SF too; fish out of water there.

Post #9 » by **Danny Darko** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:10 am

Ever watch him defend Boogie and KAT? Randle's lack of lengthy has now really hurt him in two areas: 1. vs Length inside defensively. 2. in the post without a head of steam offensively. So no, I hope to only see him vs guys lIke Green where effectively there is no center in the game.

Sofa King · Post #10 » by **Sofa King** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:17 am

Frank Dux · Post #11 » by **Frank Dux** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:33 am

Can we stop comparing Randle to Draymond?

stan francisco · Post #12 » by **stan francisco** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:28 am

john248 wrote:Nope. Randle needs to play alongside a good defensive anchor as he cannot be the one to be a vocal leader on that end. His offense isn't good enough to offset that; not even close.

No on Randle at SF too; fish out of water there.

Really? His feet are quick enough to hang with anyone. I suggest you revisit after studying when he gets switched onto defending a SF.

Spanish_Laker · Post #13 » by **Spanish_Laker** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:39 pm

Nah, he can't play any defense against bigger PFs/Cs and he can't anchor the paint at all. We need a true center, hopefully Zubac is our center of the future.

john248 · Post #14 » by **john248** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 4:58 am

stan francisco wrote:
john248 wrote:Nope. Randle needs to play alongside a good defensive anchor as he cannot be the one to be a vocal leader on that end. His offense isn't good enough to offset that; not even close.

No on Randle at SF too; fish out of water there.

Really? His feet are quick enough to hang with anyone. I suggest you revisit after studying when he gets switched onto defending a SF.

Who cares about that. Ok, so he can switch for a short time, so what? Poor shooting range doesn't offset playing as a SF/wing. Nick Young is a better SF since he can shoot the 3 and actually put in effort defensively last season. Go revisit after studying that. Too many people project these young players as if they've reached their absolute potential or can even fulfill them. Revisit after studying that too. :lol:

You think Randle is a poor man's LeBron or something now?

He's a guy who can rebound, has some ability moving the ball upcourt ... and that's about it. Defensively not so good even if you think "well he's strong, athletic, should be able to do it, right?" :roll:

Cool, so your suggestion is Randle at SF and what...3 guys who can't space the floor? Let's put things into perspective. Blake Griffin is much better than Randle. And yet, I don't have it in me to even think ... let's play Griffin at the 3. :crazy:

jigga_man · Post #15 » by **jigga_man** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 3:10 pm

Frank Dux wrote:Can we stop comparing Randle to Draymond?

I agree. He's closer to a poor man's Blake Griffin.

danfantastk32 · Post #16 » by **danfantastk32** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:00 am

Landsberger wrote:Why emulate the Warriors? We don't have anything near their talent level. Teams used to try and emulate the Kobe led Lakers too. Some even used the Triangle.

Why not build an offense around the talent we have rather than copy another team?

To the point... No. I think developing a true inside scorer (maybe Zubac) is a differentiator and that Randle's unique skill set adds more at the 4 than it does at the 5 to this current group.

I totally agree. Your not going to 'out-warrior' the warriors. We need to be our own team, with our own strengths....not some sh**y copy of what's fashionable right now.

rand0m · Post #17 » by **rand0m** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 4:43 pm

Agree with everyone. Don't try to replicate the warriors with a much inferior roster and randle is not even close to draymond.

Pointgod · Post #18 » by **Pointgod** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:20 pm

Sure if we want to have the worst defence in the league

AdonisDeMarion · Post #19 » by **AdonisDeMarion** » Thu Jun 15, 2017 2:38 pm

No, I only want him there for small ball line ups. I love the ball movements the Dubs have and its okay to take a page from their book but we need to build an offensive system that fully maximize the talent of our players.

ozymandias818 · Post #20 » by **ozymandias818** » Thu Jun 15, 2017 7:16 pm

Kupchak9 wrote:If the goal is to replicate the Warriors offense,

It isn't. Jesus.

Look, you need someone inside that can protect the rim and rebound. Randle will never, EVER, be close to the caliber of shot blocker needed to play center full-time. Draymond is 6'7" and hits threes. He also ranked 11th in the NBA in blocks.

We have Zubac. He isn't ideal, but he's a center. As far as the need to have a smaller lineup, a guy that can probably play the 4 and the 5, either that guy isn't on our roster or Larry needs to start putting on weight. Larry can block shots. Larry can rebound. Larry weighs 14 pounds less than Towns, who has 3 inches on him. Larry is a realistic small-ball center. Randle would just create a layup line.

Randle to be Starting C?