Randolph has been perhaps the most dominant player in this year's summer league. He put together his best performance yet on Tuesday as the Warriors beat the Chicago Bulls 95-83 at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. Randolph scored 42 points, tying the record for most points in a Las Vegas summer league game. (Marcus Banks and Von Wafer each scored 42 in 2007.) Randolph also had four steals, three blocked shots and no turnovers.

After four games, Randolph is averaging 26.7 points on 60.9 percent shooting with 8.5 rebounds and three blocks.

"He's very unique," said Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart, who's coaching the Warriors' summer league entry. "That's why it's hard for us to tell him, 'Don't do this and don't do that,' because his window is so big. We never thought he'd be able to post up and make a play, pass it out or shoot it. We never thought he could face a guy up and shoot a jumper."

Randolph, who fell to 14th in the 2008 NBA draft largely because of his immaturity (physically and mentally), was always regarded as a player with loads of potential. But it's already materializing, giving the Warriors one of the most intriguing young players in the league.

He's a half-inch shy of 7 feet and estimates he's added some 10 pounds of muscle this summer, putting him somewhere around 220. He has the agility of a small forward and some perimeter skills, all complementing a fiery disposition that gives him an edge on the court.

Onlookers marvel at his length and athleticism, which has produced several dunks and acrobatic plays.

Opposing teams all but shudder at the noticeable improvements in his jumper, knowing such only makes him harder to defend.

Warriors management is giddy about his defensive intensity and the firmer grasp he has on his emotions.

"He's slowing down the pace of his game," said Memphis Grizzlies second-year power forward Darrell Arthur, a fellow Dallas native. "He's more under control. He has a jumper now. He can handle the ball. He's better this year than he was last year."

Randolph's seemingly immediate progress a product of his steady hard work, according to the Warriors staff is a luxury for Golden State. With Randolph already identified as a core piece of the team, his ability to increase his production from last season would solidify a vital position for the Warriors offense.

The Warriors desperately need another beast on the court, someone who can command a double-team. They need someone who can protect the basket and crash the boards. In addition to that, Randolph at his best can create offense off the dribble and go coast-to-coast. And, as a bonus, he can bring the thunder.

Tuesday, he did just that. In the final seconds of the first quarter, Randolph cut back door and took a pass from guard Stephen Curry. He had an open lane, but Bulls forward Luke Zeller closed hard. Randolph proceeded to throw down a left-hand tomahawk dunk through the hard foul of Zeller, drawing a chorus of gasps and cheers from the crowd.

"You can't teach that," said Washington Wizards All-Star forward Antawn Jamison, a former Warrior. "Even when I went up against him last year, it wasn't anything easy. He's definitely one of those guys who can be at the All-Star level. Once he understands the concepts of the game and gets comfortable in (coach Don) Nelson's system, he's going to be scary."

With 5:06 left in the game, Smart drew a few boos from the crowd when he pulled out a clearly exhausted Randolph though he was just two points shy of the summer league's single-game scoring record.

But with 2:16 left, Smart put Randolph back in the game. Moments later, he picked off a pass and was fouled on the fast break, knocking down the two free throws to tie the record.

The boos rang out again when the clock expired without Randolph getting another shot. The way he's been playing, it's unlikely Randolph will hear many more boos.

Contact Marcus Thompson II at mthomps2@bayareanewsgroup.com