Don Nelson says Anthony Randolph is ahead of Brandan Wright in Warriors rotation

October 7, 3:38 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Brandan Wright: slowed by toe and lack of aggression 

It hasn't been a stellar training camp for Warriors forward Brandan Wright, and it didn't get any better for him on Tuesday.

One look out onto the court at the Warriors' practice facility and it was clear: Rookie Anthony Randolph was scrimmaging with the first unit and Wright, now in his second season, was playing with the second team.

Not good. For Wright, that is.

Anthony Randolph: Ahead of Wright 

Warriors coach Don Nelson was straightforward when he said Wright and Randolph are competing for backup minutes at the power forward spot.

And  Nelson was also straightforward when he said where that competition stands.

"It hasn't been close," Nelson said. "Brandan's got a bad toe right now and that's held him back. But it hasn't been close so far."

Wright didn't play much under Nelson during his rookie season, and there was much debate about why. 

Some suggested Nelson wasn't being fair to the kid, and that  it was another example of Nelson being tough on a rookie; others said Wright hadn't earned the right to get more playing time.

It seems possible the same discussion could be taking place this season.

"Randolph is getting better every day and at this point he's ahead (of Wright)," Nelson said. "Wright needs to be more aggressive and show that he can play in his second year in the league. He's got to start stepping up."

♦ ♦ BELINELLI HAVING NO SUCH ISSUES