Free Anthony Randolph: Don Nelson Needs to Go!

It truly amazes me that it took until the end of the season for the national media to finally take notice of Anthony Randolph.

Bill Simmons has sent shock waves through the basketball community with his glowing praise of the Warriors' first-year freak show.

Unfortunately Randolph is getting attention from everyone except the one guy that matters—Don Nelson.

On paper, it appears that Randolph is getting an increase in playing time, but when you consider that the Warriors only have two serviceable big men active on their roster (Turiaf being the second), it’s more an act of necessity than anything else.

Randolph averaged 22 minutes a game in the month of March, but realistically that number should be over 30. The Warriors were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, so the only thing they can possibly play for is next season.

Anthony Randolph is next season.

The true test of where Randolph stands in Nelson’s rotation can be seen in the fourth quarter, where his minutes are non-existent. After putting up a phenomenal 17 points and 10 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes last night against the Kings, Randolph was unceremoniously pulled from the line-up.

Common sense would tell you that Nelson pulled him because he had five fouls already.  But then why did he not return to the line-up at the end of regulation or in overtime?

And what was the result of this decision?  A nail-biting overtime win in a game that should have been wrapped up in regulation. In addition, it almost cost the Warriors Monta Ellis, who rolled his ankle after spending a whopping 49 minutes on the court.

Don Nelson may not have to answer to the GM he undermines or the owner he walks all over—but as far as I’m concerned, he sure as hell has to answer to the fans.

Knowing Nellie, he would probably laugh off threats from fans as trivial nonsense.  But the simple fact of the matter is that the longer he alienates the dwindling amount of people who actually care, the more irrelevant the Warriors will become.

I have lost faith in Nellie’s ability to guide this team, and if it were up to me I would hand him his severance check and send him on his way. Randolph is too talented a player to have his confidence and his development jeopardized by an over-the-hill coach on a power trip.

In response to Nelson’s irrational coaching moves, I am officially starting the Free Anthony Randolph movement. Who’s coming with me?