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The days became months and years, and Anthony Randolph was beginning to square himself with the fact that a legitimate chance to play significant minutes might never come again.
So forgive him if he was a little skeptical when new Nuggets coach Brian Shaw arrived in town preaching competition all over the court.
But a funny thing happened: Shaw wasn't playing. The competition was on. And because of that, something else is happening: Randolph is playing himself into the lineup.
He arguably has been the biggest surprise of camp, though he'll tell you he has always had it in him. Signed by the Nuggets in 2012 for depth, he's making a serious push to be in the regular rotation when the season begins in eight days.
"There's a logjam at our 'big' position," Shaw said. "But he's one of the guys I would say is making the most of his opportunity."
And Randolph is doing it partly in one of the most unexpected ways — by shooting the ball and shooting it well.
"Anthony Randolph ... Most people probably wouldn't believe it, but he's probably been our most consistent outside shooter throughout camp," Shaw said.
Randolph's jump shot was on display in the Nuggets' preseason loss against the L.A. Clippers on Saturday. He made 50 percent on his jump shot attempts, including 4-of-6 from top of the key and out to around 18 feet. Randolph, who was used primarily as a power forward or center under former coach George Karl, insists he's not a fish out of water now that he's playing big minutes on the perimeter.
"I'm probably more comfortable out there than I am in the post," Randolph said.
His versatility has been his biggest benefit. Ask the 6-foot-11, 225-pound Randolph what his primary position is, and he smiles and says "basketball." Ask Shaw, and he says, "I don't know what his natural position is."
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The Post's Christopher Dempsey posts analysis and notes on this blog focusing on the Denver Nuggets.
"I like his versatility," Shaw said. "He can basically play the three, four and some five in certain situations. His length can bother people defensively, but he just kind of floats, and I think part of that is because he doesn't have a natural position. Part of me wants to say, 'This is what you are.' But I think that would take away from other areas to use the versatility that he has."
And so he floats. But lately because of injuries that have hurt the Nuggets at small forward, Randolph has played there for the most part. He thrived against the Clippers in a game that was played by both teams like a regular-season contest, going 7-of-13 overall for a co-team-leading 16 points, along with Evan Fournier.
"I've just seen that he's come to work every day," Nuggets guard Randy Foye said of Randolph. "He can do a little bit of everything. That's one of those guys that you need. I think he can play (shooting guard to power forward, or shooting guard to center) if we have to. He might not have played as much as he wants to in the past, but never give up, because you never know."
It remains to be seen where Randolph will fit in when Wilson Chandler returns from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for nearly all of training camp, but Randolph has put the onus on Shaw to carve out playing time for him.
Randolph played only 329 minutes last season, the lowest total of any season in his five-year career. He would like that to change immediately.
"I'm just trying to be solid and do the simple things," Randolph said. "Just trying to make sure I can be in the rotation this year and just build off of that. It's one of the first times in my career I'm getting a real opportunity. The coaches get on you for not shooting. They have a lot of faith in what you can do. I've just got to go out there and keep it simple and do the little things."
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/dempseypost
Randolph bio
Born: Worzbach, Germany (attended high school in Dallas)
Exp: Entering his sixth season
College: Louisiana State
Drafted: First round (14th overall) by Golden State
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