Is Shavlik Randolph any good?

BlazerFanDan · Post #1 » by **BlazerFanDan** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:28 pm

It looks like the Blazers just signed him over Shaun Livingston...

Post #2 » by **The Guilty Party** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:35 pm

He was a bit of a fan favorite on the board prior to his severe ankle injury. He did make it back and seemed like the Shav of old (good rebounder, great hustle guy) but he was found more often in a suit on the bench instead of in a uni on the court. It is good to see him continue his career, if that's what is happening.

ankle420breaker · Post #3 » by **ankle420breaker** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:11 pm

He showed some promise before the ankle injury, but since he's come back from injury we honestly haven't seen all that much of him to gauge whether or not he's returned to form.

Cru Thik · Post #4 » by **Cru Thik** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:26 pm

No taking a chance on Livingston would have been better money spent.

Post #5 » by **The Guilty Party** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:37 pm

Ummm... you did see Livingston's injury, right???

Cru Thik · Post #6 » by **Cru Thik** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:49 pm

TGP I would take Livingston with no legs over Shav.

CoachK · Post #7 » by **CoachK** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:21 am

I'm a huge Duke fan......Shav was a major disappointment.....mostly injured his whole career, one year he had mono...

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #8 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:46 am

Shav was so unlucky getting injured basically 3/4ths of the time. But AI advocated for the young forward one day and BAYUM. He did it all, defense, rebounding, rotations. Kind of like a less talented Thaddeus Young(defensively folks). The following year, Shav exploded offensively averaging 13 PPG/28 minutes during the pre-season and continued to be a suprise. But then, the Iggy-Shav collusion changed all of that. We never really got any details as to why Mo didn't play Shav more then he did. Perhaps since Thaddeus was splitting time at the 4, and Jason Smith was there(Not only was Smith more talented offensively, but an excellent weak side shotblocker and hopefully maintains his stuff after surgery).

Kevin Pitchard pitched another strike. This is an excellent pick up to backup Lamarcus Aldridge. He won't give you alot offensively. But he'll control the boards, he'll contest shots and he'll give you a little something here and there. At the very least, he should contribute more then (How the hell did he get paid?) Raef Lafrentz

Skates · Post #9 » by **Skates** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:01 am

This may have more to do with a fit than the Blazers choosing Shav over Livingston. The Blazers are already pretty deep at PG with Blake and Sergio, plus Koponen sitting over in Europe for a few years. Plus they picked up a shooting PG in the draft in Bayless to go along with Brandon roy who handles the ball and initiates the offense a lot from his SG position. Not a team that needs a project PG (reclamation project at this point) in Livingston, plus he should be able to find a team with a greater need for him.

Shav = energy guy with a few skills and good size, that's about it.

geiger · Post #10 » by **geiger** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:28 pm

Livingston clearly is not recovered from his injury or he would have gotten at least a tryout contract from someone by now.

As for Shav, he's a training camp body for Portland. Won't make the team in all likelihood and certainly won't be the primary back-up to Aldridge. But LaFrentz and Frye are recovering from injuries and probably wont' be ready by the start of the season, so it makes sense to bring in a hustling back-up on a partially guaranteed contract for the time being.

BlazerFanDan · Post #11 » by **BlazerFanDan** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:46 pm

Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like they just brought him in to compete for the last roster spot in training camp against the Mountain Man, rookie center Steven Hill, former Oregon Duck sf Luke Jackson, and Jamaal Tatum, a d league pg. I think Randolph or Hill (hopefully) will get it, but i don't see either being more than a practice dummy for Oden...

ankle420breaker · Post #12 » by **ankle420breaker** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:09 pm

BlazerFanDan wrote:Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like they just brought him in to compete for the last roster spot in training camp against the Mountain Man, rookie center Steven Hill, former Oregon Duck sf Luke Jackson, and Jamaal Tatum, a d league pg. I think Randolph or Hill (hopefully) will get it, but i don't see either being more than a practice dummy for Oden...

nailed it

Samson · Post #13 » by **Samson** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:31 pm

geiger wrote:Livingston clearly is not recovered from his injury or he would have gotten at least a tryout contract from someone by now.

.

I've posted this a million times over the years, but I will again. I have had the exact same injury as Livingston (several times actually) and here's the deal: First time, 10th grade, mucho rehab + PT. 2nd time, destroyed, exact same and worse actually as Livingston, I had my surgery + work done by a famous ortho doc from HUP who assisted and referred to the best guy around at the time, at CHOP.

Let me say this, for about 2-3 years I was very happy...So happy, I got to the point I was completely confident in my knee and athletics and didn't even use the brace anymore.

Then I Livingston'd again PLAYING HACKEY SACK.. then a year or two down the road again in a fist fight, then again just shooting hoops in the driveway.

Now I can't THINK about something remotely athletic without the brace. My point is: Don't blame Livingston... he'll never be the same. Even if it was possible physically (which it basically isn't), mentally you always know that next cut or sudden movement (pretty important playing NBA basketball no?) could be the next last one. FWIW.

Don · Post #14 » by **Don** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:36 am

I'm feeling for you. So many times on the same joint? Surprised you're walking. Better luck in the future.

Shav · Post #15 » by **Shav** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:51 am

Shav fan club here.

I wish him luck in Portland and hope his efficiency, work ethic and hustle helps him establish a solid role on their bench.

Very well rounded, young team they got out there.

jmon · Post #16 » by **jmon** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:42 pm

Samson wrote:
geiger wrote:Livingston clearly is not recovered from his injury or he would have gotten at least a tryout contract from someone by now.

.

I've posted this a million times over the years, but I will again. I have had the exact same injury as Livingston (several times actually) and here's the deal: First time, 10th grade, mucho rehab + PT. 2nd time, destroyed, exact same and worse actually as Livingston, I had my surgery + work done by a famous ortho doc from HUP who assisted and referred to the best guy around at the time, at CHOP.

Let me say this, for about 2-3 years I was very happy...So happy, I got to the point I was completely confident in my knee and athletics and didn't even use the brace anymore.

Then I Livingston'd again PLAYING HACKEY SACK.. then a year or two down the road again in a fist fight, then again just shooting hoops in the driveway.

Now I can't THINK about something remotely athletic without the brace. My point is: Don't blame Livingston... he'll never be the same. Even if it was possible physically (which it basically isn't), mentally you always know that next cut or sudden movement (pretty important playing NBA basketball no?) could be the next last one. FWIW.

obligatory questions...

1. This happened how many years ago? Medicine has changed a whole lot.
2. Are your parents worth many millions? If not, you didn't recieve Shaun livingston treatment. If so, you probably still didn't.