Suns sign power forward Shavlik Randolph

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are attempting to bolster their front line and sign power forward Shavlik Randolph and waive Slava Kravtsov.

See link below.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...olph-waive-slava-kravtsov.html?nclick_check=1

 

[Mainstreet]

From the Paul Coro article at azcentral dated 3-1-14:

Randolph, 30, is a 6-foot-10 power forward who last played in the NBA for Boston last season, when Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough was an assistant GM there. Randolph made 16 appearances, averaging 4.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game with 58.3 percent shooting. He has a good perimeter shooting touch but still plays with toughness.

 

[Catlover]

Oh my, he's 30 already? It seems just a few years ago he was playing at Duke. I think he's an improvement over Kravtsov but only if he sees the court.

 

[Phrazbit]

In terms of minutes I think its Len than he will likely replace.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't imagine he will be a huge help but he should have more of an impact than Kravstov did or could have. This is a little disappointing considering we didn't and won't stand a chance getting any of the players that got waived recently. He could end up being another McD gem that could actually contribute a decent amount but at 30 years old and looking at his stats I doubt that will happen.


His stats seem to show he is a decent rebounder. His shooting percentage is about what you'd hope or expect from a 6'10 Forward/Center who plays in or around the paint. I can't recall seeing him play at all. His numbers aren't anything special but he does average as many rebounds as points for his career and with Boston last year which to me indicates he doesn't mind banging down low. He averages of 2.7 PPG & 2.7 RPG in 8.8 MPG for his career and 4.2 PPG and 4.4 RPG in 12.4 MPG with Boston in 12-13.

His PER with Boston was 15.9 in 16 just games which would rank him 4th on our team this year but given his limited time I think that is a little deceptive. Best case scenario is he is like Lou Amundson 2.0 in that he plays 10-15 high energy minutes a night, bangs down low, and is 6 fouls to use.


http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/randosh01.html

 

[Mainstreet]

Oh my, he's 30 already? It seems just a few years ago he was playing at Duke. I think he's an improvement over Kravtsov but only if he sees the court.

I can't remember seeing him play but it would seem the Suns might use him to back up Plumlee and possibly get some minutes at PF. Sometimes the Suns might want to go big and he would provide some variations.

 

[Mainstreet]

Found this video from when he was playing in Boston. He has some nice size and bulk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtEmVsjp8V4

 

[elindholm]

Sounds like the front office is still really trying to make the playoffs. Otherwise it makes no sense to give Len's sparse minutes to a 30-year-old journeyman.

 

[Phrazbit]

Sounds like the front office is still really trying to make the playoffs. Otherwise it makes no sense to give Len's sparse minutes to a 30-year-old journeyman.

Len has been really bad, and he has been terrible this month as he has gotten more minutes. And I dont know why they wouldnt still be trying to make the playoffs at this point.

 

[Errntknght]

They probably wouldn't have picked up Barbosa if they weren't trying for the playoffs - he took away Goodwin's sparse minutes. If Randolph proves useful he could hang around for more years than Leandro. He's used to playing bits and piees of time so he might hit the floor running, so to speak, whereas Len didn't. From his stats I'd say he at least comes out fouling!

 

[Mainstreet]

They probably wouldn't have picked up Barbosa if they weren't trying for the playoffs - he took away Goodwin's sparse minutes. If Randolph proves useful he could hang around for more years than Leandro. He's used to playing bits and piees of time so he might hit the floor running, so to speak, whereas Len didn't. From his stats I'd say he at least comes out fouling!

The Suns reportedly have a team option for the 2014-15 season on Randolph.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/232208/Shavlik-Randolph-Signs-With-Suns-For-Remainder-Of-Season

 

[hcsilla]

I know it's just China, but 22/12 is still impressive from Randolph.

 

[Joe Mama]

Alex Len has been bad and Plumlee hasn't been very good either lately.

 

[Griffin]

This isn't really a move that will have much effect on the team, but it is interesting that McDonough continues to pursue players that played in Boston.

I know it's just China, but 22/12 is still impressive from Randolph.

Couple former Suns players are also doing well in China:

Hamed Haddadi (14.2 ppg, 13.3 rpg in 26 games)
Sebastian Telfair (26.1 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.5 rpg in 35 games)

Randolph did only play six games in China.

 

[JustWinBaby]

Alex Len has been bad and Plumlee hasn't been very good either lately.

Totally agree

I am not sure why Len is getting any minutes. He shows almost no effort on most nights and is pulled almost immediately. Hornacek is not playing Plumlee many minutes either.

I thought we had something when Len got into that scuffle with Nick Young but since then he has been almost invisible if that is possible for a guy as big as he is.

It is really frustrating because he moves well, when he decides to move.

I think this is a good move, could turn out to be very good. We need help in the front court.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Plumlee has never really been right since Bledsoe went down. Not sure what is up with that.

Anyone wishing we had Gortat or Lopez right now? Ouch.

 

[BC867]

Plumlee has never really been right since Bledsoe went down. Not sure what is up with that.

Anyone wishing we had Gortat or Lopez right now? Ouch.

No, because they both had flaws. Better to look ahead (with Randolph) than back.

All we need is a role-playing big man in the post on offense and defense, especially one who can play C and PF. At 6'10"-240, he just barely squeezes into the cutoff point for size for a Center.

It is frustrating to see Plumlee struggle. I, too, wonder what has been holding him back. He just may see himself coming off the bench for less than 12 minutes a game soon.

 

[JS22]

Gasol would look good right about now.

 

[sunsfan88]

Randolph is gonna get as many minutes as Kravstov did.

Randolph apparently practices hard so he will maybe push Plumlee and Len into becoming a little better but that's about all he will do.

 

[Phrazbit]

I would not be at all surprised if he gobbles up virtually all of Len's minutes.

In February Len played 75 minutes, grabbed a TOTAL of 11 rebounds and scored 9 points, while committing 16 fouls and shooting 30%. The only time he was noticeable on the court is when he was fouling people. He is not remotely serviceable right now, especially for a team with any aspirations.

 

[Mainstreet]

I would not be at all surprised if he gobbles up virtually all of Len's minutes.

In February Len played 75 minutes, grabbed a TOTAL of 11 rebounds and scored 9 points, while committing 16 fouls and shooting 30%. The only time he was noticeable on the court is when he was fouling people. He is not remotely serviceable right now, especially for a team with any aspirations.

We agree about Len.

As I see it now, Randolph will backing up Plumlee and maybe getting some situational minutes at PF as fouls or injuries dictate. This will likely leave Len out of the loop unless there are garbage minutes to be had. Len is not ready to play meaningful minutes in the NBA.

In a Paul Coro article at azcentral dated 3-1-14, McDonough comments:

“I think he’ll help us really rebound the ball and with his ability to make plays out of the low post,” McDonough said. “He’s another high-character guy who will fit right into the locker room.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...-starting-felt-across-nba.html?nclick_check=1

 

[BC867]

I agree also. I don't think the Suns brought in Randolph to be a practice player. We need a post player on whom we can depend for rebounds whenever he plays. I believe he will become a solid part of the rotation, eventually bumping Frye from playing Center. How solid depends on whether he lights a fire under Plumlee.

And now that Jeff seems to be pulling Frye early if he is not hitting his one NBA skill -- 3-point shots -- Randolph may indeed see time at PF behind Markieff as well.

Welcome aboard, Shavlik. I wonder what kind of nickname they are going to come up with for him.

P.S.: His family has an interesting NBA background.

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ronald Shavlik Randolph was named after his grandfather Ronnie Shavlik, an All-American center for the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 1950s. (Ronnie Shavlik was a first-round draft pick by the New York Knicks in the 1956 NBA Draft.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavlik_Randolph

 

[t0rchy]

Alex's and Slavas home is on the edge of a war the Ukraine can't win while being invaded by Russia and almost desperately crying for help to Europe and the United States.
Maybe both of them aren't really focused on the game.
Alex is 20 years old with all of his family and childhood friends living in a country in flames. This has to have a lot of influence to him.

 

[Catlover]

Alex's and Slavas home is on the edge of a war the Ukraine can't win while being invaded by Russia and almost desperately crying for help to Europe and the United States.
Maybe both of them aren't really focused on the game.
Alex is 20 years old with all of his family and childhood friends living in a country in flames. This has to have a lot of influence to him.

Fair point and something I really hadn't considered. We all tend to live in our own bubble.

 

[devilalum]

I don't think this will hurt Len's development at all. We're talking about MAYBE 80 minutes Alex COULD lose to Randolph between now and the end of the season. Len needs to continue to work with trainers to get his ankles strong, get in a full off season of working out, big man camp, summer league etc. and come back next year ready to jump to the next level.