Write back at you: On Brandan Wright's hands, Anthony Randolph's turnovers and Kobe Bryant slight

August 6, 11:17 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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OK, so this is not Brandan Wright's right hand

Got called out on a few things _ a couple deservedly so _ and must address:

♦ DROUGHT WROTE: Brandan Wright may have small hands for his size, but saying he can’t even palm the ball is just a lie, and if it were true, it would have been in every pre-draft scouting report.

M.S.: You’re right. After discussing the issue in detail with some who are familiar with Wright’s hands and his ability to use them (that sounds bad), it turns out he can palm the ball.

But the circumstances have to be right. He’s got to be in an empty gym without any windows open and he’s got to have a 10-second time limit. He cannot be asked to move the ball while palming.

But I was wrong. The smallness of Wright’s hands is most definitely a factor when it comes to controlled tips and trying to do anything one-handed around the rim when you can’t set it up with your off hand.

I’m also told that one of the reasons you don’t hear much about hand size is that it isn’t measure during any of the predraft camps. Maybe they should start, considering how important it is to some general managers and coaches.
 

Anthony Randolph has to watch the turnovers

♦ ♦ FRO WROTE: Can Anthony Randolph really take care of the ball? In summer league he averaged five turnovers a game it seemed. Since he’s a tall dude, his dribble is pretty high and it gets swiped easily by the other team. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Stephen Jackson and Randolph will be one and two in turnovers for this team.

M.S.: Well, you’re absolutely right, Randolph did turn it over this summer. He averaged five turnovers at the Rocky Mountain Revue and four-plus per game in Las Vegas. He’s definitely got to do a better job of taking care of the ball. I’m banking on some of those turnovers being the product of trying to do too much.

I also think he’s got to figure out that in the NBA he can’t get away with as much carelessness with the ball as he did in college. He’s still got a lot of work to do in terms of being a better distributor and staying out of trouble offensively, but he’s got all the tools to make it happen.

He needs to concentrate on keeping it simple.

♦ ♦ ♦ STAN HITCHUMS WROTE: You should have written “it’s tough for ME to get behind Kobe Bryant.” … That’s the funny thing. People who hate Kobe want to believe that everyone hates Kobe. Sorry buddy, but this article and your bias fails.

♦ ♦ ♦ DAVID RIKER WROTE: Why the backhanded compliment about Kobe? … seems like someone’s got a jealousy problem.
 

Frank Costanza: Kobe fan during "Serenity Now" phase

M.S.: I went back and re-read what I wrote, just to make sure. OK, I think you’ve got a point, but you’re not correct about thinking I dislike Bryant. On the contrary, I think Bryant is the league’s most dynamic talent and I don’t think there is anyone in the NBA more competitive than him.

I’ve got some little quibbles about his game but that’s about it. Overall, I like him.

You’re right, it should be acknowledged that Bryant is one of the most popular basketball players in the world. But I also think it’s fair to point out he can be a polarizing figure _ on the court and off.

Some find him one of the greatest players of all time; others think he’s one of the most selfish. Away from the game, some think he’s engaging and professional; others believe him to be arrogant and aloof.

My only point was this … that if for whatever reason you don’t care for Bryant, the next two or three weeks might be a good time to let it go. “Serenity Now,” if you will.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ READER WROTE: The grey background behind your posts makes the text quite difficult to read.

M.S.: I’ve been told that there will be a re-design soon and that issue can be addressed.