Warriors rookie forward Anthony Randolph: "I don't have a bad attitude"

January 7, 3:38 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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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.” 

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