Summer Q&A: Anthony Randolph
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Anthony Randolph is clearly thrilled to be a New York Knick.
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Over the course of the summer, nyknicks.com will sit down with members of the team, coaching staff, front office and others to discuss the eagerly anticipated 2010-11 campaign.
We recently caught up with one of the newest Knicks, 21-year-old forward Anthony Randolph, to get his thoughts about his upcoming first year in New York.
NYKnicks.com: So first things first, what have you been up to since you got traded to the Knicks?
Anthony Randolph: Well the first thing I did was come out here and did the press conference. Then I went home for a couple of days before coming back here and I started working out with the coaches.
NYKnicks.com: How did you find out about the trade?
Randolph: Nellie (Golden State Head Coach Don Nelson) told me. He was the first person to tell me before the trade went through and became public.
NYKnicks.com: And what kind of feelings did that bring up inside of you to find out you were going to be a New York Knick?
Randolph: Just excitement. Being able to come into one of the greatest cities in the United States to play, to be in The Garden with so much history and be able to play there every other night, I felt like a little kid again. Like I just got drafted all over again.
NYKnicks.com: How many times did you play at The Garden when you were with the Warriors?
Randolph: Just once, but it was crazy. I was nervous just thinking of all the great players who played on that court before I was there and all the history that is in that building.
NYKnicks.com: The first time you spoke with Coach D’Antoni and Mr. Walsh after you became a Knick, what did they say to you and what did you tell them?
Randolph: They told me how they were excited to have me, how they wanted me in there and that they expect big things out of me. They told me it was a great opportunity for me to showcase my talents and I agreed.
NYKnicks.com: What are your thoughts about playing for Coach D’Antoni?
Randolph: Just, I mean, he is a great coach. When you are a kid coming up in high school, he is one of the coaches that you wish you can play for. His style is great and he really cares about his players, and he gives you a chance to shine so there isn’t much more you can ask for.
NYKnicks.com: What did you know about the Knicks growing up?
Randolph: I knew they had a lot of great players like Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed and the way he came out there hurt. So I knew there was a lot of history, and now I look forward to getting us back on top.
NYKnicks.com: Of course everyone is asking you about Amar’e Stoudemire. What is it going to be like to play next to him every single night?
Randolph: Well I think that is going to be great. Just me playing alongside of him period is going to make my game much better, and I think I can help him as far as on the defensive end in taking pressure off of him there and helping him on the weak side.
NYKnicks.com: You played with Keleena Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf. Tell Knicks fans what they can expect out of those two guys.
Randolph: First and foremost, they are two great people period before it even comes to basketball. Ronny is an energy guy who will play hard for you every night and give you everything that he has. Kaleena is a real prolific scorer. He is big and can also be a lockdown defender. So you’ve got three great players in this trade.
NYKnicks.com: You and Danilo Gallinari are two of the main gems from your draft class. What is it going to be like to now be teaming up with him?
Randolph: Well it’s going to be great. I watched a lot of his games this past season, and he is a great shooter. He is a guy who can spread the floor for me and Amar’e, and that is a big lineup that you can put out there on the floor.
NYKnicks.com: What is the favorite part of your game that you like to do out there?
Randolph: I like to block shots and I am great in transition. That is probably one of the best things that I do.
NYKnicks.com: How big of a difference going to be coming to the Eastern Conference from the Western Conference for you?
Randolph: I think in the Western Conference, every single night you were playing an All-Star caliber player at the power forward position. I mean, don’t get me wrong there are great players in the East too at the power forward spot, but I think the Eastern Conference is more guard oriented.
NYKnicks.com: New York City. When you hear that, what comes to your mind?
Randolph: The big city! It is huge. The lights, the media, the people – it is kind of like its own little world.
NYKnicks.com: What are some of the things that Anthony Randolph likes to do in his free time?
Randolph: Bowling. I play pool every now and then, even though I am not too good at it (laughs). I also like to hang out with my family and my little brother and sister.
NYKnicks.com: You are real young having just turned 21. Is that hard to deal with in the NBA or do you think it is a benefit?
Randolph: I think it’s fun. I am going on my third year, and it is a dream come true. I mean, I play basketball for a living. It doesn’t get much better than that.
NYKnicks.com: You guys have exhibition games over in Italy and France this year. What is that going to be like?
Randolph: Oh, that is real exciting! Just to go over there and see the world, and also to play games. I am going to have to get Gallinari to show me around a little bit! (laughs)
NYKnicks.com: What is one thing you want Knicks fans to know about you?
Randolph: I come out there and will play hard for you every night. My main goal is to win games and ultimately win a championship.
NYKnicks.com: And finally, if you have one thing you want to tell Knicks fans, what do you want to tell them?
Randolph: Come and watch! It is going to be exciting. Point blank, it is going to be exciting and we are going to win some games and have a good time doing it.
We recently caught up with one of the newest Knicks, 21-year-old forward Anthony Randolph, to get his thoughts about his upcoming first year in New York.
NYKnicks.com: So first things first, what have you been up to since you got traded to the Knicks?
Anthony Randolph: Well the first thing I did was come out here and did the press conference. Then I went home for a couple of days before coming back here and I started working out with the coaches.
NYKnicks.com: How did you find out about the trade?
Randolph: Nellie (Golden State Head Coach Don Nelson) told me. He was the first person to tell me before the trade went through and became public.
NYKnicks.com: And what kind of feelings did that bring up inside of you to find out you were going to be a New York Knick?
Randolph: Just excitement. Being able to come into one of the greatest cities in the United States to play, to be in The Garden with so much history and be able to play there every other night, I felt like a little kid again. Like I just got drafted all over again.
NYKnicks.com: How many times did you play at The Garden when you were with the Warriors?
Randolph: Just once, but it was crazy. I was nervous just thinking of all the great players who played on that court before I was there and all the history that is in that building.
NYKnicks.com: The first time you spoke with Coach D’Antoni and Mr. Walsh after you became a Knick, what did they say to you and what did you tell them?
Randolph: They told me how they were excited to have me, how they wanted me in there and that they expect big things out of me. They told me it was a great opportunity for me to showcase my talents and I agreed.
NYKnicks.com: What are your thoughts about playing for Coach D’Antoni?
Randolph: Just, I mean, he is a great coach. When you are a kid coming up in high school, he is one of the coaches that you wish you can play for. His style is great and he really cares about his players, and he gives you a chance to shine so there isn’t much more you can ask for.
NYKnicks.com: What did you know about the Knicks growing up?
Randolph: I knew they had a lot of great players like Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed and the way he came out there hurt. So I knew there was a lot of history, and now I look forward to getting us back on top.
NYKnicks.com: Of course everyone is asking you about Amar’e Stoudemire. What is it going to be like to play next to him every single night?
Randolph: Well I think that is going to be great. Just me playing alongside of him period is going to make my game much better, and I think I can help him as far as on the defensive end in taking pressure off of him there and helping him on the weak side.
NYKnicks.com: You played with Keleena Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf. Tell Knicks fans what they can expect out of those two guys.
Randolph: First and foremost, they are two great people period before it even comes to basketball. Ronny is an energy guy who will play hard for you every night and give you everything that he has. Kaleena is a real prolific scorer. He is big and can also be a lockdown defender. So you’ve got three great players in this trade.
NYKnicks.com: You and Danilo Gallinari are two of the main gems from your draft class. What is it going to be like to now be teaming up with him?
Randolph: Well it’s going to be great. I watched a lot of his games this past season, and he is a great shooter. He is a guy who can spread the floor for me and Amar’e, and that is a big lineup that you can put out there on the floor.
NYKnicks.com: What is the favorite part of your game that you like to do out there?
Randolph: I like to block shots and I am great in transition. That is probably one of the best things that I do.
NYKnicks.com: How big of a difference going to be coming to the Eastern Conference from the Western Conference for you?
Randolph: I think in the Western Conference, every single night you were playing an All-Star caliber player at the power forward position. I mean, don’t get me wrong there are great players in the East too at the power forward spot, but I think the Eastern Conference is more guard oriented.
NYKnicks.com: New York City. When you hear that, what comes to your mind?
Randolph: The big city! It is huge. The lights, the media, the people – it is kind of like its own little world.
NYKnicks.com: What are some of the things that Anthony Randolph likes to do in his free time?
Randolph: Bowling. I play pool every now and then, even though I am not too good at it (laughs). I also like to hang out with my family and my little brother and sister.
NYKnicks.com: You are real young having just turned 21. Is that hard to deal with in the NBA or do you think it is a benefit?
Randolph: I think it’s fun. I am going on my third year, and it is a dream come true. I mean, I play basketball for a living. It doesn’t get much better than that.
NYKnicks.com: You guys have exhibition games over in Italy and France this year. What is that going to be like?
Randolph: Oh, that is real exciting! Just to go over there and see the world, and also to play games. I am going to have to get Gallinari to show me around a little bit! (laughs)
NYKnicks.com: What is one thing you want Knicks fans to know about you?
Randolph: I come out there and will play hard for you every night. My main goal is to win games and ultimately win a championship.
NYKnicks.com: And finally, if you have one thing you want to tell Knicks fans, what do you want to tell them?
Randolph: Come and watch! It is going to be exciting. Point blank, it is going to be exciting and we are going to win some games and have a good time doing it.
