misterearl wrote:earthman - great call on Jerome

Everyone in the country should know about the University of California’s Jerome Randle. He’s speedy. He shoots lights out. And this season, the senior guard has led the Golden Bears to the top of the Pacific-10 Conference. So what’s the hangup?

Size.

At 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, it is Randle’s only limiting factor, and the primary reason NBA scouts are overlooking him. Currently, most NBA mock drafts don’t even include Randle’s name as a possible selection. Not in the first round. Not in the second round. Nowhere. They have him going undrafted.

Randle, a top candidate for Pac-10 Player of the Year honors, has the numbers – he entered Saturday averaging 19.7 ppg and 4.6 apg – and the electrifying game to make him a household name at the next level. Maybe not as an NBA starter, but as a spark off the bench capable of lighting up the scoreboard? For sure.

Many of Randle’s attributes would be beneficial to an NBA team next season if one is wise enough to draft the Chicago, Illinois native. He is lightning-quick with incredible ball handling skills, and can get to the rim at will regardless of the defender guarding him. He also possesses great range on his jump shot and isn’t afraid to pull up a few feet from behind the 3-point line and nail them like they are 18-footers. When defenders move out to defend his perimeter game, he’s by them before they can react. And despite the speed and pace Randle frequently plays at, he is usually under control with the ball in his hands.

Randle dropped 33 points in a crucial February 11 win against Washington that kept the Bears atop the Pac-10 at 8-4.

“(Randle) is a really good offensive basketball player,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said after the game. He was zeroed in and focused and just played really efficient basketball. He was hard to stop.”

Randle also wreaked havoc on Washington State to the tune of 39 points (7-12 on 3-pointers) and 9 assists in a win on the Cougars’ home court on January 14.

Comparable players have made it at the next level. One is Aaron Brooks, another undersized point guard with cat-like quicks that used to torture the Pac-10. Brooks, now in his third season with the Houston Rockets, is starting and excelling as a pro. In fact, the University of Oregon product has almost identical numbers to Randle’s this year, and is considered one of the best young point guards in the league.

It’d be easy to overlook a player of Randle’s stature, especially with the size and talent of most guards currently residing in the NBA, but any team that drafts the Cal senior might just find a second-round steal who can help their franchise for years to come.

- Aaric Hickerson

Fearless Prediction: Donnie Walnuts goes three for three on diamonds in the rough

The kid is lightning quick, nice handle, drive, shot, and passing ability. A little small, but so what, wouldnt be the first time a player of his height made the NBA.

franco12 wrote:What is wrong with Toney Douglas? And too bad he didn't play more last year so he might be further developed this year. But he couldn't be trusted to run the point on a 29 win team

DB I agree with you on Rautins..I don't have a problem with him the way others do..I think he's fine..He's far from a stiff--he had a nice little college career at Syracuse, played in some big games and excelled..And I think he was making some real strides running the team in pre-season..Give him a look first..He's got some creative ability and that jumper of his is a lethal weapon..Why not, unless he's just not bringing it & turning the corner in practice for some reason..

JohnWallace44 wrote:Where is Randle right now?

I'm a big Rautins supporter, but I don't think you put him out there as the main ball handler. Teams would scout that and press him.

oh about rautins i would (seriously) love to add his dad to the knicks lineup of commentators.

if you watched the game online and saw his dad call the game for the raptors you will be a fan too. super cool fun knowledgeable did a great job as commentator. hire him dolan! so we can have our own clyde/breen/rautins superfriends show on the sidelines calling the game.

But every 2nd and 4th quarter when Raymond takes his 4-5 minute break, our offense goes stagnant. Frankly put, Toney underwhelms as a point guard, and Mike D even sees this cause he's relying more and more on Raymond lately, increasing his minutes to close to 40 mpg. All we need is a vet PG (someone with decent height, like 6'4 would be ideal) to sub in for Raymond earlier, and let TD continue playing SG, while guarding opposing PG's.

Rautins has yet to prove he can stay, but also has proven at some level justification to keep and develop. Coaches see somthing in the kid.

Also we keep Mason even if he is struggling. He might be having problems we don't know about or not picking up the system quite yet do to lack of playing time. We just don't know. Azubukkake migh never play this season for us and he still has a long way to go and has to still crack the rotation.

Fields is the leading guard rebounder in the league!

in the case of the back up pg, i really hope they send rautins to the dleague just to practice his ball handling skills then make an assessment on him if he is ready, if not they can sign antonio daniels and waive roger mason jr who has brought nothing to this team

Bippity10 wrote:I don't think the backup PG is a talent grab. I think we need a veteran that can run an offense and get the second unit back running the offense when they start the one on one, three point jack up nonsense. We need someone that can fix that stuff when it happens, not get sucked into it and contribute to it. That's why I picture a vet. A career starter who is now in a back up role. Or a career back up that has played for good teams.

That's fine -- as long as it's an expiring deal. I'm not overpaying past this year for a veteran anything..I want all of our assets and cap room intact for the most part..I'm fine with dealing a Billy Walker though, now that Williams has emerged..