Anthony "Magic" Randolph vs. Blake "GETACHA BOI" Griffin

[NetsForce]

AR... he has homerun potential that BG doesn't...

If AR makes a successful transition to the 3, he'll be a matchup nightmare on both sides... I can't see teams ever fearing Griffin on both sides of the ball..

Because both are so young and relatively inexperienced, potential plays a big part in the decision... give me Baby Jesus right now...

I'm a little confused but how does AR at the 3 make more matchup problems than AR at the 4?

His ballhandling is average at best for a small forward, and he doesn't have much of a post-game, did you make a typo?

At the 4 I can see the potential for matchup problems as his handling is excellent for a power forward and he can draw players away with his perimeter game.

[BlackIce]

edited*

[BlackIce]

The youngest player in the league (he was 18 when drafted) averaged 15 and 11 in April..Add in his shot blocking, awesome handles for a 6'10 player, intense nature and what do you end up with?





A superstar by the time he turns 22.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whh9ZCFoYLQ

I never want to hear anyone say that raps fans are the biggest homers on this board. Ever.

[FNQ]

I'm a little confused but how does AR at the 3 make more matchup problems than AR at the 4?

His ballhandling is average at best for a small forward, and he doesn't have much of a post-game, did you make a typo?

At the 4 I can see the potential for matchup problems as his handling is excellent for a power forward and he can draw players away with his perimeter game.

He has extremely good handles for a 6'10 guy - average at best? Not much of a post game?

His post game is where he shows a ton of potential... he casually backed into people and made some incredible passes this season, and because of his length and elevation, is extremely hard to block.. problem is, he still needs to get more bulk to do it consistently at the 4, or he needs to do better w/his perimeter game so he can post up 3s...

Pair him with a real 4/5 (assuming his perimeter game continues to develop) and he'll be a matchup nightmare at the 3... basically, AR has 3 things he needs to work on.... his jumper... decision making... and kissing Don Nelson's ass

Its another in a long line of 'potential/realization' comparisons... on one hand, you have guy with enormous potential whos not as likely to reach it, and the other hand you have a guy with considerably less potential but is more likely to reach his ceiling... any team that won less than 40 games should ALWAYS pick the 1st one

[Wade2k6]

Are you trying to say Griffins potential is considerably less then Randolphs? Because that is just false.

[DC2]

Anthony Randolph sucks gimme Griffin.

[FNQ]

Are you trying to say Griffins potential is considerably less then Randolphs? Because that is just false.

Case in point of the failure to realize 'potential' vs. 'realization'

When Griffin can become a force on defense and become a perimeter and ballhandling threat, we can then talk about Griffin having more potential than AR....

Griffin is what he is, a great rebounding, bruising scorer. That's his tops for now... he hasnt shown much interest at all in protecting the rim or playing D... AR has the potential to be a superstar in this league, on both sides of the court. Will he realize it? Odds are always slim, but they are still better than Griffin, who has almost 0% chance to be a bonafide superstar in this league...

So no... its not false at all. Until Griffin shows that he is willing to play defense and does it somewhat well on the NBA level, because he sure didnt on the NCAA level...

[NetsForce]

If Randolph was in this draft there's not a single team in the league that would draft him before Griffin.

[FNQ]

Doesn't make it a good move... GMs screw up all the time. Fall in love with a hype machine and it becomes a business decision...

But most dont see it as screwing up... because as long as the player produces #s, not wins, it can still be a good pick in the eyes of the owner and the general public... I'd rather take a guy who can affect the game equally as much on both sides than a guy who's more of a specialty player...

FWIW, if Griffin was taller, or a C, or a rim protector at all, there'd be no contest and I'd choose Griffin all the way.. but until he shows an interest in playing defense, or working on FT stroke, or solidifying his midrange, I'll take AR for now. Griffin is athletic enough, though, that if he starts putting in the work his rookie season, and adds some versatility to his game, his potential goes through the roof...

[some_rand]

griffin but imo randolph goes behind griffin at #2 in this draft if he stayed at LSU

[ponder276]

I'm sick and tired of flawed players putting up numbers in GS, and everyone going nuts. ANYONE can put up numbers in GS, they play at a very fast pace, you're not expected to expend serious energy on d, and you're allowed to do ridiculous things in an almost entirely unstructured offense. Anthony Randolph is one of the skinniest, frailest players I've ever seen. Pretty much every time he goes to the hoop he ends up on his ass. I just cannot imagine a guy as skinny as Randolph becoming a star on a normal team, and I don't see him putting on a tonne of weight either, due to his super-skinny shoulders.

Give me Griffin EASILY. He's unlikely to become a superstar, but he should be a very good starting PF, one of the best rebounders in the league and a great P&R player. Randolph is IMO one of those players who's gonna be abused in the post on both ends of the court, a marginal starter or good bench player on a contending team. I like his handle, his length, and his athleticism, but I don't think it makes up for his frailty. The guy came into the league at 6'9" barefoot, but a ridiculously tiny 197 pounds - that's less than small guards like OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless . . .

[Joseph17]

Griffin.

[sca]

I'm sick and tired of flawed players putting up numbers in GS, and everyone going nuts. ANYONE can put up numbers in GS, they play at a very fast pace, you're not expected to expend serious energy on d, and you're allowed to do ridiculous things in an almost entirely unstructured offense. Anthony Randolph is one of the skinniest, frailest players I've ever seen. Pretty much every time he goes to the hoop he ends up on his ass. I just cannot imagine a guy as skinny as Randolph becoming a star on a normal team, and I don't see him putting on a tonne of weight either, due to his super-skinny shoulders.

Give me Griffin EASILY. He's unlikely to become a superstar, but he should be a very good starting PF, one of the best rebounders in the league and a great P&R player. Randolph is IMO one of those players who's gonna be abused in the post on both ends of the court, a marginal starter or good bench player on a contending team. I like his handle, his length, and his athleticism, but I don't think it makes up for his frailty. The guy came into the league at 6'9" barefoot, but a ridiculously tiny 197 pounds - that's less than small guards like OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless . . .

This.

[sca]

griffin but imo randolph goes behind griffin at #2 in this draft if he stayed at LSU

Ahead of Rubio? No.

[Roger Murdock]

Griffin next year will be one of the best rebounders in the league. A double double guy right off the bat. His potential is way higher than that of Randolph because he has a chance to fulfill his potential. He will be a significantly better scorer, rebounder, and much more consistant night in and night out. He doesnt have the ball handling abilities as AR, but it doesnt matter much because most teams dont need a 20 lb underweight PF to go ISO all game, especially when hes not a great passer.
I can't believe some people are trying to argue that Randolph is worth more than the number 1 pick in the draft. Griffin is a much safer pick with more upside and a lower ceiling. Randolph has the more unique skill set that tricks people into drafting the Darkos over the Carmellos.

[FNQ]

I'm sick and tired of flawed players putting up numbers in GS, and everyone going nuts. ANYONE can put up numbers in GS, they play at a very fast pace, you're not expected to expend serious energy on d, and you're allowed to do ridiculous things in an almost entirely unstructured offense. Anthony Randolph is one of the skinniest, frailest players I've ever seen. Pretty much every time he goes to the hoop he ends up on his ass. I just cannot imagine a guy as skinny as Randolph becoming a star on a normal team, and I don't see him putting on a tonne of weight either, due to his super-skinny shoulders.

Give me Griffin EASILY. He's unlikely to become a superstar, but he should be a very good starting PF, one of the best rebounders in the league and a great P&R player. Randolph is IMO one of those players who's gonna be abused in the post on both ends of the court, a marginal starter or good bench player on a contending team. I like his handle, his length, and his athleticism, but I don't think it makes up for his frailty. The guy came into the league at 6'9" barefoot, but a ridiculously tiny 197 pounds - that's less than small guards like OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless . . .

AR had reportedly gained 20 lbs over the course of the season after initially weighing in at 195, and had no problem at all gaining and holding position against most PFs, most notably later on in the season. He never had a problem banging and was only held out for injury in one game. The others were DNP - Gimmick Coach...

Funny enough, his shoulders and chest are where you can see the most added muscle relative to when he first played in the summer league... I'm beginning to see why most aren't really AR fans - they are basing everything on 7 month old worst case draft reports

There is a reason he's exciting this fanbase... putting his April into context, his previous months he was doing just as well in limited time against more legitimate competition... you all need to put in the work and see what he does...

[FNQ]

I can't believe some people are trying to argue that Randolph is worth more than the number 1 pick in the draft. Griffin is a much safer pick with more upside and a lower ceiling. Randolph has the more unique skill set that tricks people into drafting the Darkos over the Carmellos.

You hit the nail on the head... casual fans will tend to overrate the complete unknowns and a consensus #1, regardless of the quality of the draft, will be vastly overrated...

How do you have more upside but a lower ceiling?

[KF10]

I really like AR's potential though. Even though, his stats maybe inflated but you can't deny his speed/quickness, reaction time, intensity, passing/dribbling, block/steals ability and etc. I think just a few years from now, he will come to his own.

And FireNellieQuick was right about the weight measurement. AR did gain 20 pounds:

But Randolph has made strides in those areas already. He gained some 20 pounds during the season, and his outside shot, while still streaky, is markedly better than earlier in the season

http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_12160918

But all in all, I have to pick Griffin at this moment though. Griffin is more NBA ready than AR and can contribute right away.

[Wade2k6]

I'm sick and tired of flawed players putting up numbers in GS, and everyone going nuts. ANYONE can put up numbers in GS, they play at a very fast pace, you're not expected to expend serious energy on d, and you're allowed to do ridiculous things in an almost entirely unstructured offense. Anthony Randolph is one of the skinniest, frailest players I've ever seen. Pretty much every time he goes to the hoop he ends up on his ass. I just cannot imagine a guy as skinny as Randolph becoming a star on a normal team, and I don't see him putting on a tonne of weight either, due to his super-skinny shoulders.

Give me Griffin EASILY. He's unlikely to become a superstar, but he should be a very good starting PF, one of the best rebounders in the league and a great P&R player. Randolph is IMO one of those players who's gonna be abused in the post on both ends of the court, a marginal starter or good bench player on a contending team. I like his handle, his length, and his athleticism, but I don't think it makes up for his frailty. The guy came into the league at 6'9" barefoot, but a ridiculously tiny 197 pounds - that's less than small guards like OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless . . .

[NetsForce]

I'm fairly certain we disproved that Randolph gained 20 pounds in the season in another thread a month or two ago...

Lamar Odom is 230. Luis Scola is 230. Randolph is not 230.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/04tpccJ6uc ... y+randolph