Some anthony randolph news

upsizin · 06-20-2008, 12:47 PM

With the baseball team's success I think we're forgetting that one of our own is projected to be a top 10 pick in this year's nba draft

In this week's ESPN the magazine, Ric Bucher has his mock draft listed and has Mr. Randolph going 9th to michael jordan and the bobcats making their starting line up

pg- raymond felton
sg- jason richardson
sf- gerald wallace
pf- anthony randolph
c- emeka okafor

Also, he has every player rated as one of the following:

the club cornerstone
core guy
borderline starter
top reserve
one tool specialist

Anthony Randolph is the ONLY Club Cornerstone other than Derrick rose, putting him ahead of michael beasley, oj mayo, kevin love, eric gordon, and the rest of the players in this year's draft.

TigerBait3 · 06-20-2008, 01:28 PM

With Sean May coming off of surgery and overweight and Davidson still developing, Randolph could start and star right away.

That team has gotten a lot better since Felton moved permanently to the point and with the return of Morrison, and maybe Gerald Wallace, the Bobcats might make a little noise, and more importantly Randolph could get in the spotlight sort of like Roy did with the Trailblazers.

One of the analysts I saw yesterday said the general consensus about him is he is the biggest sleeper and may have the most potential.

LSUDeek · 06-20-2008, 03:25 PM

I just don't feel like the kid is "one of our own". Same way I feel about Tyrus Thomas and Brandon Bass. Kids were never all that happy to be here and bolted at the first opportunity.

There is a common denominator, however, and said denominator is no longer employed by the university.

LaSalleAve · 06-20-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSUDeek

I just don't feel like the kid is "one of our own". Same way I feel about Tyrus Thomas and Brandon Bass. Kids were never all that happy to be here and bolted at the first opportunity.

There is a common denominator, however, and said denominator is no longer employed by the university.

its basketball though, the nba has totally watered down the college game, even though it is still probably the most exciting thing to watch in the post season when your team isnt there. making it to where kids had to come at least a year, helped a little, but its not like it used to be. there are still great players that come through the college ranks, but to these kids its just not worth risking injury to stay when they could have a huge payoff. And these kids also alot of the time, dont have positive role models in thier lives helping make good decisions. I will always cheer for Bass, Thomas, and Randolph in the nba though, as long as you dont transfer to another school, or end up coaching a nemesis, once a tiger always a tiger.

upsizin · 06-21-2008, 01:51 AM

right, In basketball it's different.. I can only think of reddick and morrison as people that were truly parts of their universities

TGer'nLHornLand · 06-21-2008, 06:36 AM

I certainly think that this sentiment is ONE aspect of the game. The one and done rule certainly has its flaws (i.e., what's the point of only 1 year right?), but at the same time, the alternative is that college campuses NEVER see these kids play at all.

Case in point, Kevin Durant is back at UT campus, playing pick up games with his old teammates and taking summer school, in Austin right now. If there was no rule, he wouldn't even be thinking about getting a college degree from UT.

And, UT fans got to pay non-NBA prices to see a lottery pick light it up in Irwin. Sure, it creates a little bit of "team" transitional issues, but as the 'horns saw, a good coach and good players (i.e., DJ Augustin) can pick it up after a one and done leaves and actually play better. You also have to remember that 95% of college kids do play to get a college degree and work their tails off (thank you, Garrett Temple, Alex Farrer, Chris Johnson, etc.!

)

It's just the way of the future, until the NBA says "one year isn't enough", which is a little bit of a sentiment, but probably won't change anytime soon. I don't harbor any ill-will at Anthony Randolph...he's a big-time Dallas signing for LSU, who went to LSU, will land at a NBA team and will be another LSU pro alumn, who might someday get his degree from LSU (like Shaq') and be a part of our basketball legacy. LSU will get a little pub on draft night, and Anthony will go in the lottery.

I DO have some beef with guys who leave when they're assured of being in the second round or not even, however, because then, it's a harder call. But, at the end of the day, you can't keep these kids from making a living. Brandon Bass was a close call for me, b/c I think one more year would have had him making more $. Tyrus, good for him--he wouldn't have been a number 4 pick if he stayed. Big Baby, I kind of think could have stayed, but not sure early second round was too far off.

So, I'll be watching draft night, hoping Randolph does well. As for what Trent Johnson brings, I really don't think this will change too much. Look at the Lopez twins, they both are bolting after a couple of years too. Just part of the game. And the key for the new staff is getting LSU to the point of consistently good recruiting classes made up of good 4 year players with a few very good impact (one and done) players year in and year out, so losing the Randolphs of the world doesn't hurt as much.

LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A PART OF THE TRENT JOHNSON ERA.

Potted Plant · 06-21-2008, 04:36 PM

I'd just as soon be done with the one-year-rule. Yes, it means the 5 or 10 best high school players each year will never play the college game, but in my opinion Randolph is a prime example of what's wrong with it.

He came in and played, but had one eye on the NBA at all times. He was a one-year mercenary who, in the end, did absolutely nothing for us. He led us nowhere, and now he's gone. I just can't bring myself to have the warm fuzzies about him.

In contrast, I don't feel the same way about Tyrus Thomas. He's a guy who was probably expecting to be here a while, and maybe the entire four years. He played his heart out and was a true Tiger. He just developed much quicker and got much better than anyone could have expected, and his stock rose so high that he couldn't turn down his shot.

No, it wouldn't be really better if Randolph had gotten us to the tournament. He'd still be a mercenary. It's nothing against him, because the system forced him to be a mercenary rather than do what he really wanted, which was to go straight to the NBA.

gumborue · 06-22-2008, 11:49 AM

tyrus was here twice as long as randolph.

my recollection is that randolph is the first lsu player to leave for draft after one year.

upsizin · 06-22-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potted Plant

I'd just as soon be done with the one-year-rule. Yes, it means the 5 or 10 best high school players each year will never play the college game, but in my opinion Randolph is a prime example of what's wrong with it.

He came in and played, but had one eye on the NBA at all times. He was a one-year mercenary who, in the end, did absolutely nothing for us. He led us nowhere, and now he's gone. I just can't bring myself to have the warm fuzzies about him.

In contrast, I don't feel the same way about Tyrus Thomas. He's a guy who was probably expecting to be here a while, and maybe the entire four years. He played his heart out and was a true Tiger. He just developed much quicker and got much better than anyone could have expected, and his stock rose so high that he couldn't turn down his shot.

No, it wouldn't be really better if Randolph had gotten us to the tournament. He'd still be a mercenary. It's nothing against him, because the system forced him to be a mercenary rather than do what he really wanted, which was to go straight to the NBA.

do you know how often a player actually improves his draft status by staying a year later when he's projected as a lottery pick?

staying another year actually hurt glen davis... it's the same in football in most cases too... kevin faulk, corey webster

Potted Plant · 06-22-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsizin

do you know how often a player actually improves his draft status by staying a year later when he's projected as a lottery pick?

staying another year actually hurt glen davis... it's the same in football in most cases too... kevin faulk, corey webster

That's not really my point. I'm not saying it would have been better for Randolph to stay. What I'm saying is I feel no affinity for Randolph from his one year here. I can't blame him for leaving. Heck, how much could his draft stock POSSIBLY improve? He's going to be a top 10 pick.

As it stands though, I think Randolph is one of those rare players who might actually become a better player through staying in school an extra year or two. That's because his weaknesses as a player have nothing to do with anything more practice time could help. Randolph shows very little passion or enthusiasm on the court. I never got the impression, in his year here, that he gave a crap about the game. He seems like the kind of guy who plays basketball simply because he's good at it. I think he's a guy who, more than anything, needs to learn to love the sport he's playing, and I don't think the NBA helps with that. I think college is the place to go to discover your passion for basketball. If he really is as passionless and indifferent as he appears, I would question his motivation to work hard enough to really be an NBA standout. He may end up being the kind of guy who stops trying once he realizes he's not one of the best players on the court. It won't come easy to him at that level, and without a love of the game, will he do what he needs to do?

gumborue · 06-22-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsizin

do you know how often a player actually improves his draft status by staying a year later when he's projected as a lottery pick?

when has this happened? shaq, duncan

and how would you know if they improved their stock if they were already "projected" to be lottery picks?

TigerBait3 · 06-22-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumborue

when has this happened? shaq, duncan

and how would you know if they improved their stock if they were already "projected" to be lottery picks?

It has to do with development. Had Brandan Wright stayed at North Carolina this past year he would have been drafted near the same or higher, but he definitely would not have bounced up and down between the d-league which will hurt his contract next year.

clair · 06-22-2008, 10:13 PM

nothing against Randolph, but I don't see him being a real legit pro. I just don't.

He is not nearly as lanky and athletic as Tyrus was/is, but is just as raw.

Look what Tyrus has done in the NBA: A whole lot of nothing. His 2 most memorable headlines have been missing practices and talking junk about the Dunk Contest.

gumborue · 06-23-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

nothing against Randolph, but I don't see him being a real legit pro. I just don't.

He is not nearly as lanky and athletic as Tyrus was/is, but is just as raw.

Look what Tyrus has done in the NBA: A whole lot of nothing. His 2 most memorable headlines have been missing practices and talking junk about the Dunk Contest.

randolph has reasonable potential to develop an offensive game. never saw that with tt

clair · 06-23-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumborue

randolph has reasonable potential to develop an offensive game. never saw that with tt

I agree with you.

But there just are not many players in the NBA who make it and become great when you have to learn how to play offense.

it's normally inside out and you learn the defense first.

Put it this way: and again, I hope, I am wrong about him, but will he ever be as skilled and accomplished an offensive player as a guy like Tayshawn Prince?

B/c they are similar in length and size. I'd love to see that path for his career.

gumborue · 06-23-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

I agree with you.

But there just are not many players in the NBA who make it and become great when you have to learn how to play offense.

it's normally inside out and you learn the defense first.

Put it this way: and again, I hope, I am wrong about him, but will he ever be as skilled and accomplished an offensive player as a guy like Tayshawn Prince?

B/c they are similar in length and size. I'd love to see that path for his career.

and i agree with you.

no, i dont see him becoming like prince.

randolph's decision was a bad one because he will find it harder to develop in the nba under the pressure and competition. he may end up getting the $$$ that he wants, but this decision will make it less likely that he will stick in the nba.

ps, heard the gm of the bucks today mention randolph as a possible at their pick--#8.

roygu · 06-25-2008, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

nothing against Randolph, but I don't see him being a real legit pro. I just don't.

He is not nearly as lanky and athletic as Tyrus was/is, but is just as raw.

Look what Tyrus has done in the NBA: A whole lot of nothing. His 2 most memorable headlines have been missing practices and talking junk about the Dunk Contest.

I feel the same way. He has a lot of potential but unless he dedicates himself completely to improving his game I don't believe he will be in the league very long. He has no game around the basket. For a man his height, he probably set a record for getting his shot blocked. He would never have been able to score on TT.

TigerSnarl · 06-25-2008, 07:18 AM

Get my local paper, the Dallas Morning News, this morning off the front lawn like normal. Flip open to the sports page and was blown away by the large picture of Randolph crashing in for a dunk in his gold LSU uniform. Here in the middle of little 12 country, I can't recall this much written about a LSU player in any sport...ever. Obviously, Randolph is a local kid and it is a nice write up...

http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/shared....37469e3d.html

TGer'nLHornLand · 06-25-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumborue

and i agree with you.

no, i dont see him becoming like prince.

randolph's decision was a bad one because he will find it harder to develop in the nba under the pressure and competition. he may end up getting the $$$ that he wants, but this decision will make it less likely that he will stick in the nba.

ps, heard the gm of the bucks today mention randolph as a possible at their pick--#8.

you know, usually I agree with you Gumbo, but this is where I'm going to have to disagree.

first off, I actually think Anthony (when he plays hard) showed a decent jumper, slash to the basket and more offensive polish to his game than Tyrus ever did at LSU. His post up game wasn't the best, but he's also 210 lbs and at the pro level he's probably more a 3 than a 4. His defensive intensity is not where Tyrus' was, but heck the guy was averaging like 3 blocks a game at some points of the season, and he showed a willingness to mix it up. So, when you actually compare him to T-Train, he's taller, a little less in weight, but more offensive game, and T-Train went 4th in a relatively weak draft year. Randolph will go top 10 in a deeper draft year. I think we're splitting hairs here and if you've got a chance to go lottery, it's hard to pass up. So in terms of is he a Tashaun Prince, well, remember what Prince was in college. Certainly not what he is right now. I think you underestimate the talent that Randolph has.

Does he need to bulk up a little, work on his game and get used to the mental grind of the NBA? Sure. But, I think if you're going to be a lottery pick, there's no better place to "train" for the NBA than the NBA. I think the honest truth about "staying" in school is kids should stay in school if they want to play for something else, a championship, the love of the college scene, the bond with certain teammates, and the chance to prove something and improve their draft stock. I'm not sure another year in college does anything more for Randolph's draft stock. Perhaps he takes it easy another year and adds a few pounds, plays against SEC competition, and gets drafted around the same place. At the same time, he's got to share time with Tas' and there are some new young guns in CTJ's rotation. Do you pass up lottery and guaranteed millions of dollars? It's real hard to pass up when you put yourself in these kids' shoes. And, if he gets drafted with a patient team that puts him in the right spots, he's going to get better, just playing with better players.

Believe me, I hate to see him go, but if his primary goal going to LSU was to get a chance to play in the NBA and go lottery, he's on the doorstep. And, as I said before, it's part of the game. The last poster makes my point, which is we can just be happy that this kid's name is going to get called on draft night, and all of these Dallas kids are reading about how Anthony went to LSU and when CTJ comes to town, that's going to be something he lays out there. Remember that DeAndre Jordan was a comparably rated big who went to TA&M and probably didn't do anything for his stock. LSU is going down as having sent another lottery big man to the League...

gumborue · 06-26-2008, 05:38 AM

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