Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson look like role players, but who knows about Anthony Randolph

July 22, 2:53 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Brook Lopez: Methodical 

The Warriors and Nets played on Monday but it’s still not too late to put down a few impressions of a couple of Bay Area products playing for the New Jersey.

It wasn’t a good afternoon for Brook Lopez or Ryan Anderson.

Lopez, the No. 10 selection out of Stanford, and Anderson, the No. 21 pick out of Cal, didn’t make much of an impact against the Warriors.

What stood out most about Lopez was his sheer size. He already has an NBA body but it appears as if the NBA game has a lot of catching up to do. Lopez isn’t likely to be any kind of offensive factor early in his career and perhaps maybe ever. 

Ryan Anderson: Not a 3 

He is very methodical down low with his most comfortable move the little half-hook along the baseline. He didn’t get that to go down on Monday, and if Lopez can’t get that shot to go down at the pro level we’re looking at a defensive specialist, at best.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just that fans will expect a lot more out of the No. 10 pick.

As for Anderson, the first thing that stood out was the Nets’ coaching staff had him playing the small forward position, which isn’t going to work at the pro level. Any advantage Anderson has will come at the four position, where he can use his perimeter skills to better advantage.
 

Anthony Randolph: Skilled 

Anderson’s just not going to be able to match up against small forwards on the defensive end and he’s not likely to have much of an advantage against them offensively, either.

He also looked uncomfortable shooting the 3, and it almost seemed like he’s struggling to adjust to the extra distance at the pro level.

I'm not making the case Lopez and/or Anderson are going to struggle or fail or anything like that at the pro level. But what I am saying is that if you're talking athleticism and talent and star potential, neither of those two are in the same league as Anthony Randolph.