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Anthony Randolph: Little by little
Warriors coach Don Nelson is still pretty hard on rookie Anthony Randolph. In other words, that part hasn't changed.
But what has seemed to change for Randolph is his routine and the support he's getting.
Assistant coaches Keith Smart and Rico Hines and director of athletic development Mark Grabow meet Randolph before every practice and put the first-year player through his own, personalized individual workout.
"I come in every morning and they're helping me more," Randolph said after Tuesday's practice. "They're helping me by telling me what they want me to do, actually showing me early in the morning before practice what I need to do. That helps a lot _ just having them show you."
(LINK TO A COUPLE OF PRACTICE VIDEOS BELOW)
Randolph is not only getting basketball instruction, he's also getting a lot of encouragement from the trio. According to Smart, Randolph has responded much better to the pre-practice kind of teaching than the kind done at a full practice.
There are two assumptions Randolph, however, doesn't want you to draw:
First, that Nelson is being any less hard on him; and, second, that Randolph can't take the heat that the coach is doling out.
I asked Randolph if it was true that he's very sensitive and doesn't like to be criticized in front of his teammates.
"No, not at all (that that's true)," Randolph said. "If coach calls you out in front of the team, it just means he's telling you to do better and he's trying to put it on you. So you've got to go out there and do it. He called me out the second half of the last game (vs. Washington) in front of the team. ... It's still the same."
What has changed is Randolph's role. He's started four of the past five games, and Nelson seems to be committed to giving him at least some playing time at the beginning of each half.
So, does that work for Randolph?
"It doesn't work for me because I'm not content with starting and playing five or seven minutes for the first and third quarter," Randolph said. "I want to be the guy that's in the game at the end, when it matters. So, I've just got to take it and build on it."
Asked if he would at least acknowledge it was an improvement, Randolph finally cracked a little bit of a smile and said: "Yeah, it's a lot better improvement than sitting on the bench every game."
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Comments
Seems like they are giving the kid what he needs. Having seen him play consistently now I am starting to see what Nellie has apparently seen all along. Buckets of talent but doing the wrong things yet. If Randolph pushes through he could be one of the best in the league.
Ah...isn't that something that should have been happening from day one?
Aqreed, this should have been the plan since the begining. And i think AR staying in the game after his alotted five minutes or so should depend on how he's playing. Like in the Wizards game; he got the start, played his five minutes and didnt play to well. He was pulled and i agreed with it. Then in the third quarter he started and produced, he did well, might have been able to get things rolling. But he got pulled after his alotted time. He gets no reward for listening to the staff at halftime, and playing well. Maybe give him a few more minutes when he does well?
Matt,
I remember reading in the past that Randolph dominated in high school, but his team was poorly coached and did not do well. Then he went to LSU and his coach got fired. It seems to me that this is the first time he has received coaching. Combine that with the fact that he is only 19 and I don't think we can expect too much more this year than what he is giving right now.
However, if he keeps up this attitude and training he could be scary good! I just think it will take at least 2 more years.
What? You mean Nelson thought he would just know what to do without sufficient coaching? Does he disrespect rookies so much he doesn't even give them the attention they need to develop? No wonder they take so long to catch on. Nelson finally abdicates his responsibility to other coaches and the player is grateful.
This is madness
Attention is not the same as hand-holding, James. If this kid had stayed in college longer, he might have learned some of the basics there. But I like his attitude, which is as important as talent in the long run.
When will you give any info about brandan wright? Do you only cover a few players of the team and not all.
Sure would like a Be Right update..Thank Mattster.
Thanks for the update.
A few things still in the oven:
1. What was the outcome of Fried's meeting with Rowell?
2. Will Morrow make the 3 point contest?
3. Wright update.
I really want to know about Ellis.
Hello Matt, you got anything on Ellis agent meeting with the warriors, and how is he looking in recent parctices?
Just noticing... it seems recently that Keith Smart is producing a lot of positive results with the Warriors. Randolph's improved play/attitude, Crawford taking D seriously, less team turnovers. Since a lot of this season is about looking toward the future, does Smart have a lock on the future head coaching job here? Interested on what you think, write back!
for the day one people:
apparently Randolph wasn't ready to listen from day one. didn't you notice before when they said it's just recently that he's started to come to practice early and stay late.
obviously, Nellie's freezing worked... though i agree w/ Thizz, Nellie should reward AR when he's playing well, by giving him more run.
if he blows a few wins along the way - no big deal - just means more ping pong balls.
Sure, give Nellie the credit. Nellie effed up early and HAD to play Randolph when everyone else was hurt/sucked. He wanted to trade him until Randolph spilled the beans and Nellie had to reverse his customary screw up te young kids course. Nellie is dawdling toward his care facility retirement.
Nellie didn't do s__t.
To those wanting a Wright update, you really won't get one... he got his shoulder cherry popped and rehabbing that spot alone will take 1-2 weeks, and thats if he didn't rest it at all. If it was his first time, then he most assuredly did rest it... I'd expect him back after the AS break or right before it.
Thanks Reg.
Randolph really seems tailor made for alley-oop shots, he should get a chance to do one every game. Fans love these shots, and they really demoralize the other team.
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