The search for Anthony Randolph

 The prevailing outlook on Anthony Randolph's potential is consistently optimistic. At 6-11, with a  7-3 wingspan and terrific speed and agility, he is showroom model that tantalizes the imagination with visions of electrifying fast-break finishes, above-the-rim energy and mismatches from 3 through 5 that will leave shorter wings perplexed and overwhelmed and heavier bigs with strained hammies and hanging tongues.

Whatever happened in Golden State, with Don Nelson, has to be left in the past. But it can't be completely overlooked. The fact that Nellie, who loves versatile big men, quickly gave up on Randolph is alarming. He wanted Randolph to focus on rebounding and blocking shots and not doing too much with the ball. Randolph's skill set suggests he should be able to do much more than that. His Per-36 in Golden State suggests he can.

But who is Anthony Randolph? What is he in regards to the NBA game?

His time with Nellie may have stunted his growth, but there's still plenty of time for him to develop. Right now, however, you're seeing a young player who still doesn't quite know what he is or what he should be at this level. And the Knicks coaching staff is trying to figure it out, too.

He'll have strong moments, such as when he swooped in for an athletic put-back off a Ronny Turiaf miss on the Knicks' first possession of the fourth quarter last night. You like that he gets to the foul line (5-for-6 in 19:30) and challenges shots. And he runs. Sometimes.

Then there was the missed dunk attempt with 2:55 left (and the Knicks ahead by three) and an ill-advised cross-court pass with 1:13 left with the Knicks leading by two. That play led to game-tying free throws by Nate Robinson. Randolph was 2-for-6 from the field and the progress made in this game is that he didn't attempt a three (as we've seen in previous games). Randolph started looking a bit like Al Harrington at times with his shot selection. The perpetual green light glows bright in his mind. 

But how do you know when it was a bad shot? Just check the expression on Mike D'Antoni's face. Nothing takes the smile from under the trademark D'Antoni mustache like a bad shot.

"He's up and down and, again, he's 21 years old and that's going to happen," D'Antoni said. "You see a lot of potential there and he has to even his game up . . . I thought for a few minutes he was really good and then all of a sudden everything goes a little haywire. We have to keep trying to instill in him how to have a game and be very simple and use his talents very positive all the time."

Randolph can be a valuable weapon for the Knicks as a versatile Sixth Man at either the four or the five. But that can't happen until he finds his game, finds what will make him most effective. Putting up mid-range jumpers isn't really it. Running the floor hard, focusing on intangible skills such as put-backs and chase-down blocks and help defense would make him an extremely dangerous player.

Wait, did we just echo Nellie sentiments here?

Truth is, Randolph has to learn the valuable skill all great players possess: the ability to self-motivate. He has to challenge himself to get more than one offensive rebound per game. One challenge with this system is that a big often finds himself away from the basket and, therefore, you lose the rebound mentality. Randolph has to think CRASH THE BOARDS the minute a shot goes up. The Knicks can't afford to have a 6-11 spectator 18 feet from the basket.

This applies to Danilo Gallinari, as well.

Now this is all dirty work-type stuff. Randolph might fancy himself more as a scorer and offensive force, but often it seems he's trying to run before he learns to crawl.

You shouldn't want to limit a young player who is still trying to figure out his game, especially one who came into the league at 19 and spent his first two years in a battle of wills with a veteran coach who pulled the plug on him early. That's why he's in the best situation here with the Knicks, with a coaching staff that won't try to limit him and, instead, will work and work and work with him. (Hey, if Phil Weber can figure out a way to turn Jared Jeffries into a capable mid-range shooter, anything is possible).

Here's the catch: Randolph has to show he is willing to work and be his own film critic. He has to keep his motor running in practice and not quit on plays. He has to eliminate the bad habits that young players form when they come up on a bad team (we've seen enough of that around here).

And it wouldn't hurt if he smiled once in a while and looked like he was actually having fun.

* * *

* - Amar'e Stoudemire had a tremendous game with 30 points in 27:20 (but you can't overlook the fact that 16 points came in the third quarter, with Kevin Garnett already tossed from the game) and D'Antoni made the right decision to sit Stoudemire in the fourth quarter, once STAT got in a good sweat, rather than risk playing him just for a meaningless preseason win. 

* - Gallinari, one of the NBA's top three-point shooters last season, struggled with his shot last night and made just 1 of 6 from downtown. In three games this preseason, he's 7 for 25 (28 percent) from three-point range in the preseason, and that includes a 5-for-11 against AJ Milano.

* - I said this on ESPN Radio last night with Ian O'Connor and it bears repeating: Raymond Felton's stat lines in the preseason so far are quite Chris Duhon-ish. Last night he had 7 points and 6 assists with 3 turnovers and 2 rebounds in 27:53 and he shot 3-for-11 from the field. Now, I'm not saying Felton isn't any better than Duhon (of course he is), I'm just saying the point guard position is not producing nearly enough yet. Make no mistake, Felton's signing is an upgrade and, in time, that should prove itself. But as much as Stoudemire is showing himself to be a real-deal star, Felton has yet to provide assurance that he's got command of this offense.

* - Bill Walker had a very effective game off the bench against his former team, with 11 points and 4-for-9 (3-for-6 from downtown) shooting. He tweaked his ankle late in the game, however. We should get an update on his status at today's practice.