Warriors management is giddy about his defensive intensity and the firmer grasp he has on his emotions.
“He’s slowing down the pace of his game,” said Memphis Grizzlies second-year power forward Darrell Arthur, a fellow Dallas native. “He’s more under control. He has a jumper now. He can handle the ball. He’s better this year than he was last year.”
Randolph’s progress — a product of his steady hard work, according to the Warriors’ staff — is a luxury for Golden State. With Randolph already identified as a core piece of the team, his ability to upgrade his production from last season would solidify a vital position for the Warriors’ offense.
The Warriors need someone who can command a double-team. They need someone who can protect the basket and crash the boards. In addition to that, Randolph — at his best — can create offense off the dribble and go coast to coast. And, as a bonus, he can bring the thunder.
Tuesday, he did just that. In the final seconds of the first quarter, Randolph cut back door and took a pass from Stephen Curry. He had an open lane, but Bulls forward Luke Zeller closed hard. Randolph proceeded to throw down a left-hand dunk through the hard foul of Zeller, drawing a chorus of gasps and cheers from the crowd.
“You can’t teach that,” said Washington Wizards All-Star forward Antawn Jamison, a former Warrior. “Even when I went up against him last year, it wasn’t anything easy. He’s definitely one of those guys who can be at the All-Star level. Once he understands the concepts of the game and gets comfortable in (Coach Don) Nelson’s system, he’s going to be scary.”