As a parent, most father’s and mother’s dreams are that their children grow to be something they can be proud of. Memphis finds itself continuously proud with the effort Randolph provides for their city day in and day out.
The story of Zach Randolph is a gratifying and inspiring tale of a player who has truly found a second home in Memphis. The Marion, Indiana native, Michigan State University product and former Trail Blazer, Knick and Clipper landed in the Mid-South in 2009 in what now seems like destiny for both Randolph and the Grizzlies.
On January 17 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, Randolph pulled down the 4,097th rebound of his Grizzlies career. This rebound moved him past Grizzlies-great Pau Gasol on the all-time franchise rebound list, but in reality meant so much more than one name moving past another on a leaderboard.
The rebound was the culmination of all the hard work, sweat and tears Randolph had put in since he had first donned the Grizzlies’ blue and gold. The rebound was yet another joyous occasion for a team that continues to build a prestigious franchise history.
Who Randolph has become, who Memphis has grown to call one of their own and their beloved “Z-Bo” will be engrained in the hearts of Memphians for decades to come.
Randolph signed a multi-year extension to remain with the Grizzlies on July 7, 2014. Having expressed on multiple occasions his desire to stay in Memphis, Randolph has ensured he will remain a pillar of the city he has come to embody and love for seasons to come.
On the court, Randolph has become a centerpiece of the Grizzlies’ overall game plan over the years. Randolph’s ability to create mismatches with his polished mid-range shot, exceptional low-post moves and footwork has made him a nightmare to cover on the offensive end.
Randolph currently sits at fourth among active players with 15-plus points and 15-plus rebounds (103 games) for their career only behind surefire Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard. His never-quit attitude on the glass has been a fundamental part of Memphis sustained success.
On January 21 vs. the Toronto Raptors, Randolph accomplished more history notching the 428th double-double of his career, moving him past Shawn Marion and tying Pau Gasol for fifth among active NBA players.
Randolph’s importance to the club can easily be seen with evidence coming as recently as his nine-game absence (from Dec. 21 - Jan. 7) due to a sore right knee with saw the team go 4-5 while missing him.
Since returning from injury, Randolph has gone on a tear boasting numbers of 19.0 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. Z-Bo has also double-doubled in seven of the seven games in which the Grizzlies have a 5-2 record.
One Grizzlies employee who has kept a close eye on Randolph’s effect on the city Memphis off the court has been TV play-by-play man Pete Pranica, who recently called his 1000th NBA game.
Randolph’s ability to truly connect with the city in which he plays in can be considered unique in today’s NBA, which often involves constant movement of players via free agency or trade.
With the Memphis Grizzlies approaching their 15th anniversary in 2015-16, they are starting to build a more extensive history that can only come with time and memorable players and moments. Zach Randolph will very much be a part of that history in every which way – on the court, off the court and perhaps even to a generation of Grizzlies fans that have followed the team since it’s inception.
The culture of success the current band of Grizzlies and Randolph are instilling in the franchise can make becoming a part of Grizzlies lore something not only the league can respect, but sports in general. Zach Randolph is well on his way in accomplishing that mission.
There are no doubts the big man will continue to make Memphis proud. Just as Memphians have Randolph’s back, Randolph will have theirs. One big happy family.