The Memphis Grizzlies are quite possibly the hottest team in the playoffs. Following an impressive 4 games to 2 dismantling of the top seeded San Antonio Spurs, Memphis won Game 1 of their 2nd round matchup yesterday against the Thunder in Oklahoma City. They’re getting it done inside with blue collar play from Marc Gasol, but to a larger degree Zach Randolph.
In this, his 10th season in the League, the 29-year old lefty had a banner 20 and 12 campaign for the upstart Grizzlies and he was rewarded with a free plane ticket to Los Angeles as an All-Star for the first time in his overlooked career. Because of his play this year, Randolph was given a brand new 4-year, $71M extension a few weeks ago, and is worthy of the recognition he has earned.
But what he’s done this year is nothing new for Z-Bo. Zach didn’t just become good this year, when Rudy Gay went down for the season with an injury late in the year, or when the first round series against the Spurs began. He’s been a very good player for a long time now. The masses are now just being turned on to Zach because the Grizzlies are the new sexy pick. Because his team is in the playoffs and playing well, he’s finally getting some shine. However this is the shine that he has deserved for quite sometime and it kills me some are acting as if Zach came out of nowhere this year.
Because he’s somewhat athletically challenged and doesn’t necessarily play above the rim, he gets overlooked when you talk about Power Forwards in the NBA over the past decade. But if you’re just concerned with effectiveness and results, look no further than the Indiana native. Zach has career averages of 17.6ppg and 9.1rpg. He didn’t play much in his first two seasons in the NBA and therefore, those skew his career numbers. So, if you exclude those two transition years with Portland, and just consider when he became an everyday player, Zach has averaged 22.6ppg and 11.8rpg over the past eight seasons.
Zach’s efficiency is why during the 2007 NBA draft, then Knicks GM Isiah Thomas pulled the trigger and dealt for Randolph. Because of the money Randolph was making at the time, Thomas was and is continuing to be met with scrutiny for acquiring Zach’s lofty salary. I never understood the scrutiny because Zach has always been a very good player, and I’m even more confused now since his new contract is comparable to what he was making as a member of the Knicks, and his production is just about identical. But I digress.
I find it amazing that Zach has averaged double digit rebounds six times in his career and has owned his postseason opponents on the glass. The 6’9″ big man barely gets off the ground high enough to dunk but somehow has managed to be a ball hawk. Whereas Amar’e Stoudemire who is an inch taller and 20 times more athletic has never ended a season averaging 10 boards or more. Fascinating. Goes to show that much more goes into it than sheer physical prowess.
Zach’s old school game and throwback offensive repertoire are refreshing to watch. So as he continues to put both on display as the Grizzlies march through the playoffs to this unknown destination, just remember that this isn’t a breakout year for Zach. He didn’t emerge or come into his own this season. He’s been doing this for quite sometime.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
