He goes for 31 and 11 against the Mavericks last night (14 for 20). Not a throwaway game with the Mavs playing for playoff position, not with Dirk, Chandler and Marion playing big minutes. Nope, the Warriors couldn't use that type of game from a 7 footer right? I swear, one of these days, the Warriors (and their fans) will show patience with their assets.
It is tough to judge a player by just one game. When he was playing against the warriors the last two games, I really didn't miss him much. Actually one of his big downsides is his inconsistency. One game he may look awesome but many times he doesn't look good at all. Knowing what I know about Udoh now, I think a Randolph/Udoh front court would be interesting defensively. There would be lots of blocks. But I think the swap for Lee is still not regrettable so far.
What about Monroe? He's putting up good numbers and the Pistons are looking competitive. He's on the upswing. I like Udoh's effort and strength but his rebounding numbers are troubling. I really think he looks like he's never been a very good rebounder and just left it up to others while he boxed out, not a very good quality. I like Lee, but not really think he's "worth" that. One game, yeah, but 30 and 11 on 14/20 is a lot different than 15 and 8. Randolph never had that kind of game here, ever.
He followed it up with a 24/15 night against the Thunder. He struggled in Nellie's run-gun offense and he struggled in D'Antoni's run-gun offense. He's flourishing in the Triangle offense (so far) maybe it was just the system he was in? I know the Lakers tried to deal for him because of his skillset. The scouts saw him as a younger version of Lamar Odom.
Maybe he learned to give the ball up and get it back. I haven't seen either game, so I can't comment. But Randolph's biggest issue was playing within himself.
Yup, I agree. AR is a similar player to Lamar Odom whom teams had trouble fitting in in the beginning -- a new type of player who offers different things. Second, AR has low b-ball IQ so coaches ended up not being patient with him. I don't think AR brought the Knicks back a first round pick! That turned out to be volatile combination with Nelson, as with most players he didn't agree with. AR wasn't Chris Webber. We need a center, so I don't think AR is the answer there full-time. Just like Odom, he can't take the banging. It's the same at the PF spot. I don't think he can take the banging. David Lee is a better player to have and build with on the Warriors. He's more durable and fits the run and gun game. He can also play the pick and roll and high post situations. All we need is a low post center who can score more. Udoh? What could be interesting is what happens to Kevin Love? Love and Rambis are still having difficulties.
Forget emotions, I'm pointing the wasting of assets. If you keep Randolph, you don't have a $75M contract to service. You have a guy you are going to pay what $10 for the next 3 years? Its basic business. Would Randolph out perform Lee? I like Lee but he's not a stud or even a top 40 player. Warriors are going nowhere with Lee.
We basically traded for consistency, production in multiple areas of game play and high basketball IQ over athletic potential. Not sure if Randolph will ever get it, he might be another Pietrus. Who knows how his career will turn out. Also, I think Lee is fine for us, we just suck because we don't have a strong center. Kevin Garnett coudln't do jack with the Twolves because of that same problem IMO. Also they had no pg with Troy Hudson and an injured Terrell Brandon. They got improved backcourt with Cassell and Sprewell, but still no strong center back when it was Garnett's Twolves. We need a center and lose Ellis as a shooting guard. David Lee will be decent for us and paired up with a good center I think we'll do fine. David Lee is a stop gap until we find an awesome athletic and smart power forward, anyway.
