NBA Memphis Grizzlies

Grading Memphis Grizzlies F Zach Randolph’s Performance in November

Fresh Videos

By @The_Only_Grubes

Zach Randolph

Harry How/Getty Images

F Zach Randolph has been a pillar of consistency for the Memphis Grizzlies ever since he arrived on the team a few years ago, and his persistence down low has paid off for a team that currently holds the best record in the NBA and has not gotten off to a better start in franchise history.

Randolph has been a tenacious rebounder and scorer in the post, and nothing has changed despite being 33 and having to contend with a lot of young, athletic big men. So far, Randolph is averaging 15.9 points per game to go along with 11.7 rebounds per game. These numbers are vintage Randolph, despite the scoring average being a little low. Nevertheless, he has had his fair share of top-notch games this season, as him and Marc Gasol have been a terrifying combination in the post. Randolph is great at utilizing his size and footwork in order to create position for himself on offense or box out his opponents for the rebound. No player in the league takes advantage of his wide body better than Randolph does.

Even though Randolph is not a shot blocker in any way, shape or form, he does play quality defense next to Gasol because of his size advantage on a lot of power forwards. Not many players are able to get around Randolph in the post, so when he plays against a more traditional four, not many players are able to back him down and finish. Randolph has trouble dealing with more perimeter-oriented bigs, as his strengths lie in the post area, but he has not had to go up against many stretch players at this point in the season.

While it would be nice for Randolph to call for the ball more in the post despite Gasol being more aggressive as well, he has done his job well of cleaning the glass and not being a liability on defense. Randolph’s attitude and leadership has also been a factor for this Grizzlies team as they prepare to keep winning in order to earn a top seed in the Western Conference when all is said and done. Randolph will continue to be the hard working, blue-collar player who the Grizzlies need, and that will certainly never change.

Grade: B+

Nathan Grubel is an NBA writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @The_Only_Grubes, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on