Randolph vs. Speights

[OGSactownballer]

So with most of the more reliable mocks putting both Randolph AND Speights available to us at #12, let's hear the arguments for which one would fit here best.

Personally, as much as I like Randolph's overall game and potential, I can't help but think that it fits better with us to have an already developed and polished PF that is ready to step into that role in the League.

I am also a little concerned that Randolph might lose the great athleticism if he adds enough weight to effectively play at the 4 in the NBA.

[Ballings7]

How about have Randolph off the bench as a speciality, versatile 6th man foward, instead? Rather than being too small mass-wise at PF, possibly too much mobility loss in putting weight on, and probably too big for SF without it.

I think the best and more favorable scenario is probably off the bench as a unique foward, because of his size situation to be a starter at either foward spot.

Getting an above-average 6th man player at #12 in this draft? I think that's a nice pick.

I don't know if we'll draft Randolph, and doubt we'll draft Speights. Speights I think is too iffy for us.

With Westbrook and Augustin likely gone before #12, I see us picking Arthur or Alexander. Randolph as #3 guy. Arthur's my #1 guy, though.

[pillwenney]

Kinda silly to have Speights as the comparison instead of Arthur IMO. I mean if you want to have all 3, fine, but I don't see the point in having Speights and no Arthur.

Personally, I'm really stuck at this point. I could see the logic in most possible picks here, and with whoever Geoff drafts, I will look at it like the player likely will be able to fit into what he wants to do with the team.

[SacKingZZZ]

Probably have to go with Randolph if he's there just based on upside alone. 6th man? You would sure hope that who you get at 12 in a draft this deep would be looked at as far more than a 6th man. I think he can play the 3 and 4 in the NBA.

With that said I sure wouldn't be surprised to see Petrie pick someone else even if he is on the board at the time.

[pillwenney]

I just can't see how Randolph will ever be able to guard PFs consistently. I mean it's one thing to be too thin when you're young--a lot of players are. But Randolph is on another level. You can't just ignore stuff like that.

[mobiuseinz]

I think we should take a chance on Randolph... even though he has weight issues, he actually bench pressed impressively, especially since he has those long arms. Randolph could become a poor-mans Chris Bosh type of player... with a little bit of Odom to his game... definitely worth a gamble.

[Cruel_Ruin]

The thing about Randolph is that his weight really doesn't worry me much. First of all, the days of bruising, back to the basket 4s are long over. Now, we have the Amare's, the David Wests, and the LMAs of the league in prominence at the 4 spot. Secondly, Randolph fits like a puzzle piece right in between Artest and Miller(or Hawes); when you have those two, you don't really need any more bulk on the frontline, since Artest can guard some of the bulkier 4s. What you do need is length, athleticism, help defense, and rebounding which Randolph is 4/4 on those counts with the added bonus of being a deft ballhandler and passer from that position. Thirdly, he is only 19 years old. KG was able to gain 35 - 40 pounds since entering the league, so I think if Randolph can be around 230-240 pounds, he should be alright. It will take a while, but we should have Artest around in the meantime, so I think it'll work out.

[Ballings7]

But, as a long-term starter? Can't say that, and with the questions Randolph has, he may well turn out to be a 6th man level player depending how his body goes, and certain ability short-comings. Which would hinder him from being a starter at either foward spot over his career.

Will he be quick enough and enough of a shooter, to be a starting three? Will he be strong enough to be a starting 4?

I can't say so myself on any of those, and from what I've read, this is relative to the consensus on him.

I'd definitely be satisifed with Randolph (or somebody else) turning out to be one of better 6th men in the league, in this draft at #12. Becuase there aren't any apparent star-type of players around our range, different story higher in the draft, though. Not only because it'd be for the best for Randolph, on a conventially-built team (eff extended-direction speed-ball), but because you'd also improve your depth, versatility, athleticism, and size - thus from those areas being boosted, your team with notability, too.

If anything, what you can say about Randolph as a starter - he can start on a developing-type team for a little bit (before they start getting more and more legit, and need to get more compatabible as a team, depending if he works well enough as a starting SF), would start at PF on a speed-ball team (since those teams dismiss general requirements for PFs (example being Shawn Marion with Phoenix), and on a convential team you can start him for certain games. The key to all that of course, is him turning out well enough as an effective player for those all those situations.

[pillwenney]

I agree that he is quite strong considering his lack of bulk, but it still has to be a real concern. I guess the main situation for him that I could see working would be starting at PF, but having a more "traditional" PF coming off the bench in certain situations (particularly in the playoffs), and often moving Randolph down to SF. After all, even most small ball teams do fine in the playoffs for a little while--but the problem is often that they then struggle because they can't adjust to bigger teams. If we can, we may just give ourselves an edge.

[Ballings7]

The thing about Randolph is that his weight really doesn't worry me much. First of all, the days of bruising, back to the basket 4s are long over.

Al Jefferson
Kevin Love
Elton Brand
Speights (in the case he turns out)
Boozer
Horford (he's a 4 playing the 5 so far, but generally he's a 4)
Z. Randolph
Okafor (while not as skilled a scorer as the others, having watched the guy with regularity since 05/06, he still has respectable ability as a low-post scorer with multiple moves, just needs to get a bit better in a few improve-able areas)
Aldridge is going to become a better back to the basket player as he gets stronger, and of course has the total length.

Are all still gonna be around. Plus, of course the other amounts of post-up PFs who will come in future drafts.

Also, while there is less contact with face-up driving moves, there is still a notable amount of contact there. And maybe Randolph wouldn't be able to be balanced enough, staying with enough, as the player drives, because of not having enough upper body strength.

Then you have the significant role-players like Millsap, Bass, Landry, Maxiell, Powe, Hayes, Haslem, Gooden, Hendrix, Dorsey eventually. All undersized height-wise (except for Gooden), but are strong, tough (Gooden inconsistent here), have length, and most of them aren't that slow, actually being quite mobile. None are at the level of players of the above listed obviously, but they all still relate to post-play on both ends of the court in various aspects. Each having their strengths to make them what they are as a complementary players.

It's also not just about playing against individual players, that's part of it for sure, but not the majority of being big enough - it's really just about playing around the basket against big men in the NBA.

Randolph really has to turn out like Odom to be a starting power foward. And really, unless next to a big-time center, Odom probably isn't enough on a contending team at PF himself, because he's still noticably undersized mass-wise as a PF. As was shown with the Gasol/Odom tandem this past finals, against the bigger and tougher Celtics front-line.

What you do need is length, athleticism, help defense, and rebounding which Randolph is 4/4 on those counts with the added bonus of being a deft ballhandler and passer from that position. Thirdly, he is only 19 years old. KG was able to gain 35 - 40 pounds since entering the league, so I think if Randolph can be around 230-240 pounds, he should be alright. It will take a while, but we should have Artest around in the meantime, so I think it'll work out.

I'm more with you here. Though I am not sure if he'll be enough of a rebounder for us, in the case we did draft him and he'd play the 4 long-term. I also still wonder about his overall strength generally playing in the paint. KG added that weight, but as a total player, he's one unique beast, I don't think you can expect Randolph to be like that.

Maybe Andray Blatche is also a credible comparision for how he'll be body-wise.

I don't question that he has the base frame to add weight, but will that be enough for us as a starting PF? I'm doubting it because of how he is right now, and the kind of projections there are from his physical progression later on.

I guess the main situation for him that I could see working would be starting at PF, but having a more "traditional" PF coming off the bench in certain situations (particularly in the playoffs), and often moving Randolph down to SF. After all, even most small ball teams do fine in the playoffs for a little while--but the problem is often that they then struggle because they can't adjust to bigger teams. If we can, we may just give ourselves an edge.

While not like what I'd prefer, I'd be into that front-court approach. Randolph has to work as a starting SF, though, which is in doubt for me.

[pillwenney]

Yeah, another idea I was thinking of would be to have 3 starting caliber bigs in the future that basically cover different areas of need. Like with this I would be okay with drafting Hibbert and starting a Hibbert/Hawes front-line--as long as a much more agile guy (say, Randolph as a good example) could come off the bench to guard quicker PFs and to give teams a different look offensively. The idea would be based around versatility, being able to attack and guard teams in a variety of ways, and it would have the 3 bigs playing over 30mpg each.

[Ballings7]

Yeah, I'd dig something like that, also.

[mobiuseinz]

Well, considering our CAP, we're in a position to be major players for the 2010 campaign... so what we need to do now (unless Westbrook miraculously falls to us) is to just say f**k it, and take a chance on the raw kid with lots of upside. But consider this... Randolph can block a shot, and then initiate an offense by handling the ball and running down the court... now imagine him, Martin, Garcia, and Douby on a fastbreak... that should be fun to watch. We can beat team with quickness, but we can then also bruise down low... come on people, thats why we have Artest and Miller for. Plus we can get Joey Dorsey with a 2nd rounder to fit the more bruising PF scheme. We're actually in a good position drafting Randolph, who is way better than Brandon Wright in his career... a very gifted player with a lot of tools. Could be a top 5 in this draft alongside Westbrook, Rose, Beasley, and Greene.

[VeeJay24]

I think if Theus is going to be the coach here.......and we are going to play his uptempo offense then we need to get some athletes in here. Big Athletes who can run the floor.

So, for me it's a no brainer Randolph. The problem is he hasn't worked out for the Kings.

There is a new look to PFs that started really with Malone/Barkley and was perfected with Duncan, KG, Webber, etc. Randolph can fit into this group. Everyone is saying if he can add weight will he be a 6th man. No one can say what he'll be, it's all up to him. Does he have the desire to improve his game each off season.

Also, the Kings could use a Dorsey but I think Sheldon Williams can be that bruising type PF. He needs to be given a shot at that.

The way I see it.....if Petrie gets Randolph and doesn't get back in the 1st, I want those 2nd rders spent on someone like Jamont Gordon or George Hill and Davon Jefferson

[SadKingsFan]

Count me in on the Anthony Randolph bandwagon, the guys looks great. Yeah he is skinny but so what. Smills i dont know how you can compare to stromile when Randolph has Way more skills, like you know...ball handling and a jumpshot?

[UKF]

I doubt we draft either since we didn't draft either of the two, but I personally would rather go with Anthony Randolph.