Wednesday, June 22, 2005
i was wrong
I should have held my tongue. Declaring for the draft to "test the waters" was NOT the worst decision Shavlik Randolph could have made. STAYING in the NBA draft pretty much does it. Word is that he worked out for Charlotte, New Jersey, Boston, Washington and Orlando (side note-- please don't let him end up as a Celtic!) and had good enough result to stick it out. Let's hope his confidence isn't shattered when his name isn't called.
Randolph chooses uncertain draft
I decided to learn more about the former McDonald's All American, who was once the pride and joy of NC. Let's take a look back at Nike Camp 2001, where he had an opportunity to match up against a lot of guys who have already made it, or will be heading to the NBA this year:
6-9 208-pound senior Shavlik Randolph (Broughton H.S./Raleigh, N.C.) was rather disappointing. He had trouble making and finishing post moves against smaller, weaker defenders and was in a rebound drought. He also wasn't venturing out to the perimeter, which would have allowed him to showcase his impressive face-up game. And, on the second night of practice games, Randolph didn't dress for a matchup versus Stoudemire. Randolph was reported to be suffering from patella tendonitus. [espn.com]
He couldn't cut it with the big dogs even then. Prior to the 2004 season nbadraft.net had some good things to say, but I don't know if they'd be so positive after yet another disappointing year. I don't care how "good" his team workouts went, there's just no way he's getting drafted in this year's talent pool. At least he can say he played for Duke-- that's more than a lot of guys can say. So long, #42...
