Zach Randolph retires

[Birdman]

Zach Randolph announces his retirement Saturday..thought he already retired but is he a Hall of Famer? I say no

[greg683x]

No

[Roy H.]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

[Donoghus]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

For sure and agreed that I don’t think he’s a HOFer.

[timpiker]

I say no but in today's world it seems like everyone gets a participation trophy.

[Neurotic Guy]

I say no but in today's world it seems like everyone gets a participation trophy.

Not sure why participation trophy disdain comes into play here.

The question was is he a HOFer and so far everyone has said no.

[fairweatherfan]

I'll always remember Z-Bo as the most physically imposing player I've ever seen in person. Like he was standing next to Marc Gasol and made him look kinda small despite being a couple inches shorter. Just a beast of a guy.



...also goodness no he's not an HOFer, even with the relatively low standards they apply.

[BMark]

I say no but in today's world it seems like everyone gets a participation trophy.

Not sure why participation trophy disdain comes into play here.

The question was is he a HOFer and so far everyone has said no.

I think he means to suggest that standards have been lowered to such an extent that someone with Zbo's stats could be considered for the HOF. I don't agree with this although I also don't think there is no support for this position.

[Smartacus]

I'll always remember Z-Bo as the most physically imposing player I've ever seen in person. Like he was standing next to Marc Gasol and made him look kinda small despite being a couple inches shorter. Just a beast of a guy.



...also goodness no he's not an HOFer, even with the relatively low standards they apply.

Never saw him live but happened to be watching League Pass when Demarcus Cousins faced Sac after being traded and caught one of Z Bo's finest moments.

After being relegated to an afterthought on the Kings, Randolph went at one of the more imposing front courts of all time and went off. This game was war and solidified my respect for Zach Randolph. Cheers to a fine career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1BO44r2wX0

Randolph - 35 pts 13 reb,
Cousins - 38 pts 11 reb

[greg683x]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

It bothers me that theres blank spots in this starting 5.  Kind of like walking past a half finished puzzle on a table. lol

The problem is, theres really no one else I can think of.  MAYBE Rasheed Wallace at Center, because of the turn around after leaving the Jail-Blazers, but still didnt really shed the rep of being lazy

Chauncey Billups at PG would be interesting.  Trade fodder journeyman to Championship team leader/Finals MVP

Really, outside of Tayshaun Prince, the whole Detroit 2004 champion starting 5 had interesting career trajectories. 

[fairweatherfan]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

It bothers me that theres blank spots in this starting 5.  Kind of like walking past a half finished puzzle on a table. lol

The problem is, theres really no one else I can think of.  MAYBE Rasheed Wallace at Center, because of the turn around after leaving the Jail-Blazers, but still didnt really shed the rep of being lazy

Chauncey Billups at PG would be interesting.  Trade fodder journeyman to Championship team leader/Finals MVP

Really, outside of Tayshaun Prince, the whole Detroit 2004 champion starting 5 had interesting career trajectories.

Gary Payton at PG - hard to imagine such a brash guy adjusting so well to being a role player.

At SF I'd put Grant Hill though the unexpected is obviously due to injuries and not character.

[greg683x]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

It bothers me that theres blank spots in this starting 5.  Kind of like walking past a half finished puzzle on a table. lol

The problem is, theres really no one else I can think of.  MAYBE Rasheed Wallace at Center, because of the turn around after leaving the Jail-Blazers, but still didnt really shed the rep of being lazy

Chauncey Billups at PG would be interesting.  Trade fodder journeyman to Championship team leader/Finals MVP

Really, outside of Tayshaun Prince, the whole Detroit 2004 champion starting 5 had interesting career trajectories.

Gary Payton at PG - hard to imagine such a brash guy adjusting so well to being a role player.

At SF I'd put Grant Hill though the unexpected is obviously due to injuries and not character.

the only problem I have with these two, is their game didnt elevate or at least remain elite during these transformations.  Though you could argue the same for Vince Carter

Zach Randolph really is the shining example of all of this.  Character difference was night and day, and he got better

[Redz]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

It bothers me that theres blank spots in this starting 5.  Kind of like walking past a half finished puzzle on a table. lol

The problem is, theres really no one else I can think of.  MAYBE Rasheed Wallace at Center, because of the turn around after leaving the Jail-Blazers, but still didnt really shed the rep of being lazy

Chauncey Billups at PG would be interesting.  Trade fodder journeyman to Championship team leader/Finals MVP

Really, outside of Tayshaun Prince, the whole Detroit 2004 champion starting 5 had interesting career trajectories.

Gary Payton at PG - hard to imagine such a brash guy adjusting so well to being a role player.

At SF I'd put Grant Hill though the unexpected is obviously due to injuries and not character.

Kevin Willis hung around in a reduced role for many years after his prime.

[greg683x]

Willis would be a good one for C.

I mean, him and Vince had very similar careers, with a lot less mainstream marketing craziness at the beginning of his career

[Jvalin]

Nope, but he had one of the more impressive career turnarounds I have seen. He went from a headcase thug to a gritty playoff performer and teammate.

In terms of the “aging unexpectedly gracefully”, I’ve got him as a clear starter.

C:
PF: Zach Randolph
SF:
SG: Vince Carter
PG:

It bothers me that theres blank spots in this starting 5.  Kind of like walking past a half finished puzzle on a table. lol

The problem is, theres really no one else I can think of.  MAYBE Rasheed Wallace at Center, because of the turn around after leaving the Jail-Blazers, but still didnt really shed the rep of being lazy

Chauncey Billups at PG would be interesting.  Trade fodder journeyman to Championship team leader/Finals MVP

Really, outside of Tayshaun Prince, the whole Detroit 2004 champion starting 5 had interesting career trajectories.

C: Aron Baynes (he's killing it this season for the Suns)
PF: Zach Randolph - PJ Tucker
SF: Kyle Korver
SG: Vince Carter - JJ Redick
PG: Jamal Crawford (won 6th man of the year at the age of 36)

Maybe Lou Williams as well?

honorable mention: Thon Maker. For a guy in his 60s, he's actually pretty good!