Knicks Players, Brass High on Randolph
Sep 25 2010 9:56AM
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The Knicks are excited about the prospects of 21-year old Anthony Randolph.
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Anthony Randolph is going to surprise a lot of people this year. In the Knicks’ first official day of the 2010-11 season on Friday, the 6-foot-11 small forward/power forward/center already had his new teammates raving about his unique versatility.
“I think we have so many guys that can play multiple positions,” point guard Raymond Felton said. “You have a guy like the young kid Anthony Randolph. He can play anywhere from the two to a five. He could guard a point guard and he could guard a center.”
Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh had talked up Randolph two days earlier saying, “Randolph is a major athlete and I think he’ll create some highlights films at Madison Square Garden.”
Randolph may not be a household name in New York yet, having spent the first two years of his career playing on the West Coast for the Warriors, but just give him some playing time and a few touches. He’s a self-proclaimed energy player who feeds off the crowd. He can run the floor with ease, block shots and is known to throw down a dunk or two.
It sounds like he was made for Coach Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive system.
“I think I’ll fit in perfectly just like I did in Golden State as far as the getting up and down part,” said Randolph, who has career averages of 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. “I’m very mobile, I can get up and down very quick and I can handle the ball. I can do a lot of different things.”
He can even shoot the long ball. Despite making just one of his nine 3-point attempts, Randolph worked on his shooting range during the offseason.
"(I'm) shooting from everywhere right now," he boasted. “You’re going to like it when you see it."
By improving his jump shot, Randolph will be able to play more at the small forward position, which will help him get on the court more alongside Amar’e Stoudemire, another athletic big man.
“It makes the game a lot easier,” Randolph said. “I don’t have to second guess and be forced to drive to the hole. It makes the drive to the hole a lot easier as well.”
Randolph is coming off a longer offseason than most of his teammates. He was limited to just 33 games last season after injuring his ankle, but he’s coming into this season healthy and ready to go.
“I’ve been working with the training staff very closely as far as doing a lot of injury prevention stuff,” he said. “I feel a lot stronger.”
Randolph is among the many players on the Knicks’ roster who feel they have something to prove this year. A former lottery pick, he wants to show that he’s ready to live up to his potential and at the same time help carry the Knicks into the postseason.
“I think we have a lot of young, hungry guys who want to and are willing to put in the time of work,” he said. “Just the fact that Ray and Amar’e came in a month early and were here working hard made it easier for us young guys to get behind and follow them to get ready for the season.”
“I think we have so many guys that can play multiple positions,” point guard Raymond Felton said. “You have a guy like the young kid Anthony Randolph. He can play anywhere from the two to a five. He could guard a point guard and he could guard a center.”
Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh had talked up Randolph two days earlier saying, “Randolph is a major athlete and I think he’ll create some highlights films at Madison Square Garden.”
Randolph may not be a household name in New York yet, having spent the first two years of his career playing on the West Coast for the Warriors, but just give him some playing time and a few touches. He’s a self-proclaimed energy player who feeds off the crowd. He can run the floor with ease, block shots and is known to throw down a dunk or two.
It sounds like he was made for Coach Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive system.
“I think I’ll fit in perfectly just like I did in Golden State as far as the getting up and down part,” said Randolph, who has career averages of 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. “I’m very mobile, I can get up and down very quick and I can handle the ball. I can do a lot of different things.”
He can even shoot the long ball. Despite making just one of his nine 3-point attempts, Randolph worked on his shooting range during the offseason.
"(I'm) shooting from everywhere right now," he boasted. “You’re going to like it when you see it."
By improving his jump shot, Randolph will be able to play more at the small forward position, which will help him get on the court more alongside Amar’e Stoudemire, another athletic big man.
“It makes the game a lot easier,” Randolph said. “I don’t have to second guess and be forced to drive to the hole. It makes the drive to the hole a lot easier as well.”
Randolph is coming off a longer offseason than most of his teammates. He was limited to just 33 games last season after injuring his ankle, but he’s coming into this season healthy and ready to go.
“I’ve been working with the training staff very closely as far as doing a lot of injury prevention stuff,” he said. “I feel a lot stronger.”
Randolph is among the many players on the Knicks’ roster who feel they have something to prove this year. A former lottery pick, he wants to show that he’s ready to live up to his potential and at the same time help carry the Knicks into the postseason.
“I think we have a lot of young, hungry guys who want to and are willing to put in the time of work,” he said. “Just the fact that Ray and Amar’e came in a month early and were here working hard made it easier for us young guys to get behind and follow them to get ready for the season.”
