Jerome Randle with the 28th pick

Grizzlies76 · Post #1 » by **Grizzlies76** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:38 pm

NBA Commissioner David Stern may call out the name Jerome Randle in the
first round of the 2010 NBA Draft on June 24th. It all depends on who is willing
to take a chance on Cal's all - time leading scorer. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
With the 28th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft the Memphis Grizzlies select Jerome Randle from the University of California. Randle is a 5’10” point guard with blazing speed and tremendous offensive ability.
With the Memphis Grizzlies final pick in the 2010 Examiner.com NBA Mock Draft I have chosen to add some much needed depth to the point guard position. To recap, the first two picks in the draft were used to address pressing needs in the frontcourt while adding some much needed perimeter shooting to the lineup.
This was done by selecting Nevada’s sharp – shooting combo power forward Luke Babbitt with the #12 pick and by adding an athletic defensive minded big man in Larry Sanders out of VCU with the 25th pick. So now that some much needed depth has been added to the Grizzlies frontcourt with the third (#28) and final selection in the 2010 Examiner.com NBA Mock Draft I focused in on addressing their lack of depth at the point guard position. The Grizz last season featured Marcus Williams and Jamaal Tinsley as their main backup options at point, however both players enter this season unsigned and most likely Memphis will look in another direction as neither has truly taken over the reins in leading the second unit. So with just the consistent play of Mike Conley, the Memphis Grizzlies will look to select a point guard, or two, in this season's NBA Draft.
Point guard play has been an area of concern for the Grizzlies since Mike Conley took over the starting spot. However, for his part he has done a fairly decent job running the show for the up and coming Grizz. During the 2009 – 2010 season Conley averaged 12 points, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 45% (.445) shooting from the floor. Those numbers definitely don’t jump out at you; however he was one of the more consistent players the Grizzlies put out on the court and came to play every night no questions asked.
However, his perimeter shooting has always been the biggest knock on his game as his defensive awareness coupled with great speed and quickness are his true assets to his ball club. With a Grizzly team that finished dead last in three point makes last season the 2010 NBA Draft is great place to start looking for a young backup point who is capable of running a team and filling it up from the outside. In Jerome Randle the Grizzlies would definitely have that much needed offensive threat that is capable of being a solid floor general at the next level.
Randle is what you would call a scoring point guard. He left the University of California as their all – time leading scorer in four extremely productive seasons. Showcasing tremendous ball handling ability and limitless range the diminutive point man for the Cal Bears was quite a force to be reckoned with in the college ranks. However based on his ability to put the ball in the basket many have overlooked his playmaking skills heading into this year’s draft.
Needing to prove to NBA scouts and GM’s that he was capable of leading a team, Randle took part in this season’s Portsmouth Invitational; taking home MVP honors while posting a tournament high 8.7 assists per game. His fine play in the tourney may, ultimately, do him wonders draft day as he could easily move up to the first round to a team like the Grizzlies who boast multiple picks. It also showed the powers that be just how mature and smart the young man is by putting himself in a position where he could truly showcase his leadership and point guard skills against other 2010 potential NBA draftees.
Randle’s ability to shoot the ball effectively from the perimeter off pick and roll sets, spotting up and in transition will make things so much easier for the Grizzlies tremendous offensive starters. The threat of his outside shot opens the floor and creates space for players like Mayo, Gay, Randolph and the burly Gasol to do work without being doubled. Conversely, his speed and quickness make it even more difficult for a defense, because once they realize he can shoot the ball he has the ability to blow by his man and create real problems by getting into the teeth of the defense.
He is also tremendous in transition as he will push the ball relentlessly on the break. With great finishers already there in Gay and Mayo, and with Ronnie Brewer also being added to the mix if he is re – signed, the Grizz could boast an exciting team come next season. Not to mention if they are fortunate enough to select both Babbitt and Sanders, they have the opportunity to bring some real firepower off the bench; as both of these forwards like to get up and down as well.
If you would like a more detailed look at Randle’s game we feature him in our Sleepers series in preparation for this season’s upcoming draft as he is a player that has definitely been overlooked by more hyped point guards this season; however he may be the most dynamic and NBA ready of the bunch.
Based on a combination of who was available and need, I chose to go with these three young men in this season’s Examiner.com NBA Mock Draft. I hope you find my picks agreeable. Either way, post your comments and thoughts on what you think the Grizzlies should do come June 24th below. The 2010 NBA Draft is less than a week away and once these guys get drafted hopefully we’ll get our first chance to see them play at the Vegas Summer League in July. Stay tuned.
Memphis Grizzlies 2010 Examiner.com NBA Mock Draft Recap
1. Pick (#12): SF/PF Luke Babbitt – 6’9” 225 lbs.
2. Pick (#25): PF/C Larry Sanders – 6’11” 225 lbs.
3. Pick (#28): PG Jerome Randle – 5’10” 172 lbs.
Highlights
Check out how Jerome Randle and the 2010 potential draftees stacked up against each other in the NBA Pre - Draft measurements and agility tests (Vertical jump, wingspan, hand length, etc.). This is good stuff!

It_Was_Typed · Post #2 » by **It_Was_Typed** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:17 pm

I love Jerome Randle but he's not worth a late first rounder...he's just too small and could be picked up in the middle of the second round.

Grizzlies76 · Post #3 » by **Grizzlies76** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:36 pm

He's the same height as Damon Stoudamire who was selected in the first round. I see him having the same kind of impact and being a steal. I think he's worth it IMO.

Grizzlies76 · Post #4 » by **Grizzlies76** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:43 pm

He's the same height as Damon Stoudamire who was selected in the first round. I see him having the same kind of impact and being a steal. I think he's worth it IMO.

BarbaGrizz · Post #5 » by **BarbaGrizz** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:43 pm

We need to get bigger not smaller.

Grizzlies76 · Post #6 » by **Grizzlies76** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:49 pm

I agree but remember what that called Damon? Biggie smalls. He reminds me alot of Damon besides being right handed but hard to guard. But we do need to get bigger and with us possible trading up to 16 I wouldn't take him there. But I'd sign him if he wasn't drafted to a none garanteed contract.

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #7 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:50 pm

The idea is to pick up a solid backup if not improvement over Conley as a play maker, not an undersized scorer that lessens Mayo's value to the team. That's why, IMO, Vasquez would be the pick at 28 if the Grizz exercise it to keep it.

Grizzlies76 · Post #8 » by **Grizzlies76** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 1:50 am

I like the ideal of paul george starting at the 2 spot at 6'9" along side rudy who is also 6'9" that's a big combination. And draft bledsoe as a back up to Chris Paul after trading conley and mayo.

CP3/bledsoe/Hudson
George/brewer/Hudson
Gay/young/Carroll
Zbo/Arthur/Carroll
Gasol/Thabeet/Hadadi

One Love · Post #9 » by **One Love** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:00 am

RANDLE IS A SLEEPER... LOOK WHAT AARON BROOKS DID IN HOUSTON...

Grizzlies76 · Post #10 » by **Grizzlies76** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 4:34 pm

He's the biggest sleeper in the draft because he probably won't get drafted and he's one of the top point guards in the draft (IMO). It's just that everyone wants to go big and that's understandable. But he'd make a huge impact off the bench. But I'm open to trading Conley (even tho I'm one of his supporters) and Mayo for Chris Paul. Draft Paul George will be a 6'9" sg compared to Mayo at 6'4". Then draft bledsoe at 16. that's a big starting lineup along with an all star pg. And we could give more minutes to Lestor Hudson on the bench at the 2 and pick up Jerome Randle if he's not drafted for more needed shooting.

CP3/Randle/Bledsoe/Hudson
P.George/Brewer/Hudson/Bledsoe
Rudy/Young/Brewer/George/Carrol
Zbo/Arthur/Carrol/Rudy
Gasol/Thabeet/Hadadi

Grizzlies76 · Post #11 » by **Grizzlies76** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 3:49 am

GrizzledGrizzFan wrote:The idea is to pick up a solid backup if not improvement over Conley as a play maker, not an undersized scorer that lessens Mayo's value to the team. That's why, IMO, Vasquez would be the pick at 28 if the Grizz exercise it to keep it.

I've had some time to think about this and now I agree with you. I reallllllly hope we end up with Vasquez!!! He could be the future pg of the Griz. I'd like to keep Conley on the bench tho.

Post #12 » by **jman3134** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:03 am

I do agree that in the long run, Jerome Randle will probably be a sleeper. But, thank God that we did not take him to help us out immediately. While he has improved his play in Vegas, he was simply outmuscled in the Orlando summer league. If we would have taken him in the first round, I would have been very disappointed. He is going to have a solid career because he can shoot the lights out, but it is going to take some time.

Cammo101 · Post #13 » by **Cammo101** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:25 am

jman3134 wrote:I do agree that in the long run, Jerome Randle will probably be a sleeper. But, thank God that we did not take him to help us out immediately. While he has improved his play in Vegas, he was simply outmuscled in the Orlando summer league. If we would have taken him in the first round, I would have been very disappointed. He is going to have a solid career because he can shoot the lights out, but it is going to take some time.

I was pretty high on Randle as a 2nd rounder who could make a team, but he was so bad in the Orlando summer league, that I'd be shocked if someone signed him. Better suited for Europe IMO.

Post #14 » by **jman3134** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:55 am

The biggest problem with Jerome Randle is that he needs the ball in his hands, and coming off the bench for a team is probably not going to allow him to develop a rhythm and confidence for his stroke. That and his defense are his greatest obstacles right now.

Cammo101 · Post #15 » by **Cammo101** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:39 am

jman3134 wrote:The biggest problem with Jerome Randle is that he needs the ball in his hands, and coming off the bench for a team is probably not going to allow him to develop a rhythm and confidence for his stroke. That and his defense are his greatest obstacles right now.

Yeah. He needs the ball, but is not good enough to dominate the ball in the NBA. Even on second units. Also, he is a big time liability on defense based on his size and just general ineptitude.

At the very least, he needs time in Europe or the D League before he can be seen as an NBA talent.