Young Memphis Grizzlies find leader in Zach Randolph
Updated 1/22/2010 4:02 PM
Nine-year veteran Zach Randolph leads the Memphis Grizzlies in scoring (20.8 points) and rebounding (11.5). He is the unquestioned leader of the NBA's youngest team, which averages 24.3 years. "These guys look up to me," Randolph says. "You just got to lead by example."
By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY
MEMPHIS — When it comes to being left in the cold, Zach Randolph knows the feeling. He was raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet.
Until arriving here for his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6-9 forward experienced it as an elite but often-overlooked power forward in the NBA.
"It made my heart smile," he says of picking up the tab on the utility bills for 15 area families who were behind on payments this winter. "I've been in situations where my momma couldn't pay the light bill, so I could relate to that. ... She raised four kids by herself."
Randolph, 28, is the elder statesman of the Grizzlies (22-19), who are 1½ games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. A club that hasn't surpassed 24 victories in any of the last three seasons has won 12 of its last 16 and is 15-5 at home.
In his ninth season, Randolph has four to help raise: O.J. Mayo (second season), Marc Gasol (second), Mike Conley (third) and Rudy Gay (fourth). They have overcome a 1-8 start — and the release of Allen Iverson— to grow into the No. 4 scoring team in the NBA at 104.4 points a game.
Randolph, the NBA's top offensive rebounder at 4.5 a game, is averaging team highs of 20.8 points and 11.5 rebounds and shooting 50.7% from the field. He's the unquestioned leader of the youngest team, averaging 24.3 years. "These guys look up to me. You just got to lead by example," he says, in a tone as soft as his sure hands. "I've been where they're at. You're going to go through stuff."
That he has. His reputation was cemented with the Portland Trail Blazers when he punched a teammate at practice in 2003. Last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, he struck an opponent during a game and was charged with driving under the influence, later reduced to reckless driving.
He handles these questions with the poise of a co-captain rather than the curtness of a 20-year-old who turned pro in 2001 after one year at Michigan State.
"Too often in our league, guys are labeled early and it sticks with them," said coach Lionel Hollins, who pushed to acquire Randolph from the Clippers. "Players do mature and grow up. He's done that. I never thought he was a problem guy."
In December, Randolph's production skyrocketed. He had 32 points and 24 rebounds in a win against the Denver Nuggets; 33 and 18 in a win against the Golden State Warriors and 23 and 19 in a win against the Washington Wizards. Even in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he had 19 points and 20 rebounds, 11 offensive.
"Zach has been the catalyst behind our turnaround," general manager Chris Wallace said. "He makes clutch free throws, can step outside and make some jumpers. ... Now our guys have a big-timer to play off of. Other teams have to double him, so there's more room out there for O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay to operate."
That means Randolph doesn't stray as much to the perimeter. He has taken 17 three-pointers; he has shot as many as 80 in a season. He prefers to stay inside and control the paint with 7-1 Gasol.
"I'm proud of him. ... I'm probably the only one who has seen him since he got drafted up until this point," said Damon Stoudamire, a first-year assistant coach with Memphis who played with the then-rookie in Portland in 2001-02. "Now he's the veteran, the guy who has to pick younger guys up. The things we would say to him are the things he says to them.
"You take Zach off this team, and I don't know where we would be. It starts with him. Zach gave these guys a lot of confidence, and we've run with that."
All of Gasol's averages are up: 14.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 blocked shots and 60.6% field goal shooting. Gay is a 46.8% shooter scoring a career-high 20.5 points. Mayo is shooting better at 46.5%.
"There was so much negativity in the air about our team, that we had so much talent but not enough basketballs to go around or that we won't have a chance because we're too young," Mayo said.
"Coach said we've got to go out hard every night and play for each other. ... Eventually, we'll gain confidence and respect from our opponents, our fans and get this thing rolling. Down here at 191 Beale Street, we're ballin'."
1/22/2010 6:20 PM