Randolph has been perhaps the most dominant player in this year's summer league. He put together his best performance Tuesday as the Warriors defeated the Chicago Bulls 95-83 at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. Randolph scored 42 points, tying the record for 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.

In four games, Randolph is averaging 26.7 points on 60.9 percent shooting with 8.5 rebounds.

"He's very unique," said Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart, who's coaching Golden State's summer league team. "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.

Randolph, 20, is a half inch shy of 7 feet and says he has added about 10 pounds of muscle this summer, putting him at 220. He has the agility of a small forward and some perimeter skills, complementing his intensity on the court.

Onlookers marvel at his long frame and athleticism, which have helped him produce dunks and acrobatic plays.

Opposing teams all but shudder at the noticeable improvements in his jumper, knowing this 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 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 upgrade his production from last season would solidify a vital position for the Warriors' offense.

The Warriors need 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 Stephen Curry. He had an open lane, but Bulls forward Luke Zeller closed hard. Randolph proceeded to throw down a left-hand 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, 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, Randolph picked off a pass and was fouled on the fast break, then made 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 has been playing, it's unlikely Randolph will hear many more boos.