Zach Randolph: Season Review

[jonathanlambert33]

If you had told Portland Trailblazers fans 10 years ago that Zach Randolph would eventually become a beloved member of a community and the steadiest presence on a roster for an entire season, they likely would have laughed at you. The man they call Z-Bo has certainly come a long way from his "Jailblazer" past, and while he is still not perfect he certainly has become a Memphis icon. He is embraced by a city that many feel he personifies; rough around the edges, hard-working, determined and blue-collar, Zach and Memphis do appear to be a match made in mud heaven.

On the court, Zach was there for the Grizzlies when you needed him more often than not this past season. Marc Gasol, Tony Allen and Mike Conley all missed significant amounts of time this year with a variety of ailments. It was Zach Randolph who chugged along, again averaging a double-double for the season and continuing to frustrate opponents with his low center of gravity and "old man game." When Zach had it working in the post, be it high or low, it was violent poetry in motion.

Defensively Zach struggled at times, as did much of the team with Marc Gasol being out for so long. Z-Bo especially missed his "brother from another mother" in this area; between his ability to call the defense and opposing team's offensive sets as well as his length/timing, he could take on the best big of the opposing team and allow Zach to rest a bit more defensively. Zach has never been known as a defensive monster, but his footwork was slow throughout the year, especially in reaction to various pick and roll/pop situations.

This lack of lateral foot speed showed itself a good bit in the Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series. Against a set of bigs who could match his physicality, Zach did not have the athleticism or length to make OKC pay for the way they defended him. Check out Zach's season shot chart on the left as compared with his playoff one on the right.

http://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2014/5/27/5752468/grading-the-2013-2014-memphis-grizzlies-zach-randolph-pf