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Anthony Randolph: "Of course I'm frustrated"
Sat down and talked to Anthony Randolph for about 15 minutes after shoot-around today, trying to figure out where he’s at in relation to coach Don Nelson and his teammates.
It was obvious and understandable that Randolph was reluctant to really get into his relationship with Nelson.
It’s also obvious that Randolph is a pretty quiet and soft-spoken kid and the part about being a kid needs emphasizing: He's only 19.
Randolph did perk up when I brought up the subject of his attitude. Here you go ...
MS: “Where is your relationship with Nelson right now?”
AR: “It’s a player-coach relationship. It’s all it is right now.”
MS: Are you frustrated?
AR: “Of course. I want to play. I’ve played my whole life and I feel I can do things to help the team. And I feel I’ve shown I can do things to help the team. So, of course I’m frustrated.”
MS: “Are you leaning on anybody?”
AR: "Coach (Keith) Smart, Corey (Maggette), Jack (Stephen Jackson) … all the veteran guys are helping me a lot.”
MS: "I’ve got to tell you, I think Warriors fans are worried about you. They’re worried that all this is going to sour you on Golden State and some say you might already be lost.
AR: “I’ve been through a lot tougher situations in my life. It’s just something you have to go through. I love the Bay Area, I love the fans. When I get a chance, I have to be ready.”
MS: “Do you regret the decision to come out early?”
AR: “I never regret a decision I’ve made. I understand it’s part of the process. Some players come in and play and sometimes you come in and the situation is a lot different.”
MS: “So, you’ve never been this frustrated with basketball?”
AR: “Never. It’s always come natural. I’ve always been the go-to guy no matter what sport even. No matter what team I’ve played on. So, this is different.
MS: “Well, isn’t that the real problem. That this is different and you’re not a star?”
AR: “Yeah, it’s something new. I’ve just got to adjust to it until my time comes and I can be that type of player for this club.”
MS: “How can you help?”
AR: “Just rebounding, blocking shots. Last couple games I played in when I had significant minutes, I was close to having double-doubles every other game or something. Just doing things like that and playing hard. Just bringing it to the court.”
MS: “Does it upset you that people say you’re not NBA-ready?”
AR: "I don’t pay attention to that. Of course, I know I’m NBA ready because the games I’ve played in, and in my minutes I’ve shown that.”
MS: “Are you aware that you’re a topic of conversation among fans. Some say you should be playing; others say you haven’t earned it yet."
AR: "No, I really don’t do the media like that. I just try to stay focused on the basketball part, the part I can control.”
MS: “So, you’re not aware that there’s probably more interest in you than anyone else on the team with the possible exception of Monta Ellis?
AR: “I mean, I’ve heard it … people telling me and stuff. I’ve heard rumors about other teams wanting me.”
MS: “I’ll just come out and ask you: Do you have a bad attitude?”
AR: “No. I don’t have a bad attitude. I heard that, too. But that kind of hurt me a little bit because I don’t want to be looked at like that. Because I think I’m a good kid. I try to act like a good kid. But that’s just someone’s opinion. I can’t change that.”
MS: “What about your body language?”
AR: “When I get in the game, I want to win, so like, it might come off like that … my facial expressions. But that’s not directed at anybody. That’s just because I want to win. I think all the coaches _ well, the majority of the coaches understand that. Like Coach Smart, (Coach) Rico (Hines), and the others. They understand it’s not directed toward anybody.”
MS: "So, the body language thing is on you?"
AR: “I don’t try to get into it with Nellie or any of the coaches. That wouldn’t make the situation any better. It would just make it worse.”
MS: “You think this is going to make you a better player and person?"
AR: “It already has, going through it. The toughest time was the beginning of the season when I wasn’t playing and so all that does is you have to work harder. I already work hard but you have to work harder.”
MS: “Do you see yourself being here and being a star someday for the Warriors?”
AR: “I want to be. I want to be. I love the Bay Area, I love the fans. I love my teammates, the whole organization. I would love to be here for the rest of my career, and to grow here. At the same time, things happen and if that’s not what management or the coaches want, then I can’t control that.”
More Warriors ...
Post-shootaround video of Don Nelson interview with media
Post-shootaround video of Stephen Jackson interview with media
Comments
I like the questions you posed Matt. And I think that Randolph deserves to show his stuff on a more regular basis.
This year is a goner record wise so why would you not want to see what this kid can do with some extended run?
Matt, I love your comprehnisve coverage. I saw Anthony play several games in Vegas. I am more excited about him then any warriors rookie since, dare I say it, Chris Webber. However, if the warriors choose Nellie over randolph, this time I will not renew my season tickets.
Nellie and his "nba-ready" morals are ruining this franchise. Rob Kurz has zero athleticism, gets burned on defense every time, shoots a terrible percentage and can only rebound when the ball comes right to him, yet he's NBA-ready and Randolph is not. What a joke. Apparently, rookies aren't allowed to make mistakes unless they are no talent d-leaguers, then they get full rein. Despite whatever assignments he misses, Randolph still makes some sort of impression when he's in there, be it a blocked or altered shot or vicious putback in Yao's face, he makes an impact. Why wouldn't you want that on the floor? Instead we 4th quarters started by Kurz, who brings negative production and feeds other teams' momentum.
Nellie and his "nba-ready" morals are ruining this franchise. Rob Kurz has zero athleticism, gets burned on defense every time, shoots a terrible percentage and can only rebound when the ball comes right to him, yet he's NBA-ready and Randolph is not. What a joke. Apparently, rookies aren't allowed to make mistakes unless they are no talent d-leaguers, then they get full rein. Despite whatever assignments he misses, Randolph still makes some sort of impression when he's in there, be it a blocked or altered shot or vicious putback in Yao's face, he makes an impact. Why wouldn't you want that on the floor? Instead we 4th quarters started by Kurz, who brings negative production and feeds other teams' momentum.
Just a word about your work and work ethic,Matt.It's commendable.You are a first-class journalist and an insightfully ,astute BB mind.Your questions to AR reveal a delicate balance of sensitivity and frankness....just what this "kid"needs.Thanks
Hi Matt!
I just joined the club here as the SF Restaurants person and wondered whether you were related to Malka Steinmetz, who lives in Tel Aviv and used to work for the Jewish Agency?
Ilana Wherry
Why didn't you ask if he elbowed Kurz on purpose? He obviously didn't but it would clear things up around here because some people think he did.
Nellie needs to retire, pronto. This team is killing me.
The kid is obviously fine, and I can't wait to see him in action. You should have asked him if he can beat Jermareo in 1v1. Thanks for the interview to clear the air (a little) in Warriors-land.
Randolph should know that the owners and GM's need him to keep a lot of season ticket holders. Not so he can take advantage of it, but because Cohan and Rowell know it.
i really want him to start playing i would play him over kurz anyday
Hey Matt
Another game of ups and downs tonight with Lakers in town at Oracle, but on nights like this with a little more leadership and consistency(think departed point guard)the Warriors could win. Instead, lapses, turnovers (Maggette about 6 by himself), failure in the 4th quarter and another loss. There are pieces here, starting with the yeoman work of Biedrins, but they don't fit yet. See you in the workout room.Jack
See the "kid's" potential and he shows glimpses, but he still pulls boneheaded moves that shows he's not NBA ready.
oh crap... this guy thinks he's NBA ready. the fact he can't pump fake and drive w/o traveling should be a sign to him. he probably thinks the 'v' and 'horns' are two different offenses. guy is clueless about defense. does he equate highlights w/ NBA level play? if so, he's doomed... trade please.
and matt, you should of said, "yeah you've always been the star... but of losing teams." how a high school team w/ an NBA player isn't competing for the state championship is hard enough to believe... but a losing record (13-15)? this has got to be a 1st, no?
only fans who have no experience with the game save pick up games and are enamored by highlights instead of good basketball would want this kid to play now.
have some patience. bad habits die hard. and once you get them (like some of our vets, it's too late). look at how OKC has botched a talent like Durant by playing him before he was ready.
High upside, high intensity at least in games. Haven't seen the practices. Bottom line: if you have a guy who you think can be special, you might have to hand-hold him a little at times, keep the ego strong while he develops. That kind of ego changes games a little farther into it.
I'm with you WE SUCK except for the Durant thing. His second year numbers are very impressive regardless of the record
Um, this team sucks. Rob Kurz, he is not going to be a real player in this league.
I don't care how many mistakes he makes, put his ASS on the floor every night and play the kid. He's not a bad kid. He is 19, and is going to make mistakes. Other than Biedrins, pretty much every veteran makes dozens of mistakes every game.
PLAY THE KID. EVERY NIGHT. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
i'm glad nellie is sitting him down, in the interview it made him realize that he needs to work harder...the kid is only 19 yrs old, beidrins and ellis didn't play in their first yr and look at them now. the same thing belineli and wright, they realized that they need to work hard to get playing time. i rather have someone earn it rather have them expected to play because they are 1st rd pick.
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