Anthony Randolph is looking more and more like a rotation player for Warriors

August 5, 11:27 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Anthony Randolph: Let's hope he doesn't linger on bench as a rookie

The more thought you give it, the more likely it seems that rookie forward Anthony Randolph might just be a factor for the Warriors in 2008-09.

When coach Don Nelson raved about Randolph after the NBA draft, it was easy to chalk it up to his annual offseason exuberance. Nelson praised Marco Belinelli last summer, too, and everyone is still waiting on that one.

But after watching Randolph in the Las Vegas Summer League and Rocky Mountain Revue, it’s clear the kid’s got a little something going on. He’s young and unique and is different from every other player on the roster.

Randolph’s probably a lock to be at least an end-of-rotation player. Just a hunch, but you get the sense Nelson is higher on Randolph than he was/is on Brandan Wright. So, Nelson is going to look for reasons to play Randolph.
 

♦ Another issue is what I still see to be one of the fundamental weaknesses of this team: decision-making. Over the past few seasons, it’s been average, at best. And the only reason it’s been average is because Baron Davis was a positive there, boasting a nice assist-to-turnover ratio.

The rest of the Warriors, however, are wanting in that department. And not only that, they’re not really used to a lot of playmaking because Davis had the ball in his hands so much. Unfortunately, he sometimes spent too much time pounding the ball.

When it wasn’t in Davis’ hands, the Warriors really took their chances. Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson both can make plays, but they’re turnover-prone. Marcus Williams is the team’s only true point guard.

Which brings us back to Randolph. If there is one thing he displayed in summer league it was an ability to handle the ball out top, particularly when he’s playing the four spot. If he learns to initiate the Warriors’ offense, he’ll probably be asked to do it at times.
 

♦ If the Warriors ever feel like they need to take care of the ball, settle things down or milk a possession, there might be a place for Randolph. He would seem to be the perfect candidate to take pressure off of Williams or Ellis or even Jackson.

During summer league, Randolph led several fastbreaks and for the most part did the right kinds of things, like stopping at the foul  line or making the simple pass. It’s clear he’s got very good court vision.

Without Davis, other players are going to have opportunities to push _ if, that is, they show they can handle that kind of responsibility. If Randolph is smart, he’ll be able to.

It’s just another reason to play Randolph, and there seems to be more and more of them.