06-27-2015, 09:23 AM
Score-first guards 6'3" and shorter currently playing in the NBA (which we'll arbitrarily define as assist rate of 25 or lower*):
Avery Bradley (Celtics)
Isaiah Thomas (Celtics)
Markel Brown (Nets)
Brian Roberts (Hornets)
Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Aaron Brooks (Bulls)
Kyrie Irving (Cavs)
Monta Ellis (Mavericks)
Ian Clark (Nuggets)
Leandro Barbosa (Warriors)
Patrick Beverly (Rockets)
Nick Johnson (Rockets)
Jason Terry (Rockets)
Dwight Buycks (Lakers)
Russ Smith (Grizzlies)
Tyler Johnson (Heat)
Jerryd Bayless (Bucks)
Toney Douglas (Pelicans)
Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)
Langston Galloway (Knicks)
Russell Westbrook (OKC)
Ben Gordon (Magic)
Willie Green (Magic)
Jerel McNeal (Suns)
Damian Lillard (TrailBlazers)
* (that is, less than a quarter of possessions used by the player end in an assist).
So, yes, it's quite strange to claim that it's difficult to find NBA pass-rarely guards shorter than 6'3". There are several! I even left off a few borderline examples. Some of these players are stars; some are currently respectable players; some are old and were once respectable players; some are surely never-weres and will be out of the league soon.
Would I recommend being a shorter-than-6'3"-guard who can't pass? I would not. What does this mean for Randle? Well, to be honest, Randle's in a quandary. First of all, his passing skills are actually *quite* poor -- only about 14% of his possessions ended in an assist, which is dismal. At the same time, he's not a great shooter. That means he needs the ball in his hands, and he's going to try to score. That's the only thing Randle has that resembles an NBA skill at the moment, and unfortunately he was only a good scorer by college standards (56 TS% last year...).
That makes it very unlikely he'll make the NBA, unless he completely refashions his game. Otherwise, if he's still interested in a basketball career, he can head over to Europe. If he catches on with a good team, that's six figures after taxes plus (often) a free car, apartment, etc. There are worse fates than living in, say, Seville on six figures with a free car.
Avery Bradley (Celtics)
Isaiah Thomas (Celtics)
Markel Brown (Nets)
Brian Roberts (Hornets)
Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Aaron Brooks (Bulls)
Kyrie Irving (Cavs)
Monta Ellis (Mavericks)
Ian Clark (Nuggets)
Leandro Barbosa (Warriors)
Patrick Beverly (Rockets)
Nick Johnson (Rockets)
Jason Terry (Rockets)
Dwight Buycks (Lakers)
Russ Smith (Grizzlies)
Tyler Johnson (Heat)
Jerryd Bayless (Bucks)
Toney Douglas (Pelicans)
Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)
Langston Galloway (Knicks)
Russell Westbrook (OKC)
Ben Gordon (Magic)
Willie Green (Magic)
Jerel McNeal (Suns)
Damian Lillard (TrailBlazers)
* (that is, less than a quarter of possessions used by the player end in an assist).
So, yes, it's quite strange to claim that it's difficult to find NBA pass-rarely guards shorter than 6'3". There are several! I even left off a few borderline examples. Some of these players are stars; some are currently respectable players; some are old and were once respectable players; some are surely never-weres and will be out of the league soon.
Would I recommend being a shorter-than-6'3"-guard who can't pass? I would not. What does this mean for Randle? Well, to be honest, Randle's in a quandary. First of all, his passing skills are actually *quite* poor -- only about 14% of his possessions ended in an assist, which is dismal. At the same time, he's not a great shooter. That means he needs the ball in his hands, and he's going to try to score. That's the only thing Randle has that resembles an NBA skill at the moment, and unfortunately he was only a good scorer by college standards (56 TS% last year...).
That makes it very unlikely he'll make the NBA, unless he completely refashions his game. Otherwise, if he's still interested in a basketball career, he can head over to Europe. If he catches on with a good team, that's six figures after taxes plus (often) a free car, apartment, etc. There are worse fates than living in, say, Seville on six figures with a free car.