Zach Randolph Shouldn’t Go Anywhere
Z-BoThe Zach Randolph trade rumors just don’t stop. Within the last 24 hours, news has dropped that both the Bulls and the Cavs are “monitoring” Zach’s progress at the start of the season. Maybe those teams are optimistic that they could acquire a talented low-post scorer on the cheap because of two reasons.
First, Randolph appears to be a bad fit in Mike D’Antoni’s system. (I can’t stay off the Little Debbie’s either, man.) And second, the Knicks would hypothetically want to move Zach’s $17 million per year so that they would have more room when the apocalyptic 2010 season rolls around.
Let’s take this one at a time. Zach is not a problem in D’Antoni’s system, even if he can be a “ball-stopper,” holding onto the rock for upwards of three seconds before making a decision. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that he and David Lee are the perfect combination for the new philosophy in New York. Even if the Knicks don’t have one big man who can get out on the break and be effective in the half court offense like Amare, they’ve got two guys to take care of each half of that.
And second, if the Knicks are willing to pay out a $100 million payroll this year to Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry, and Jerome James, they will most definitely be willing to put up the same cake to LeBron, Zach and Jamal Crawford. Frankly, the Knicks could end up paying far less if they added LeBron to the nucleus that MSG has been marketing throughout the preseason: Zach, Nate Robinson, Lee, and Crawford.
These first five games against Miami, at Philadelphia, against Milwaukee, against Charlotte, and at Washington will be a litmus test for the Knicks’ frontcourt, gauging whether they can build some positive momentum before dealing with Utah, San Antonio, Boston, and Dallas in the following weeks.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:36 am
steven says:
So far Zach’s been legit for the Knicks and he reminds me of his first days in Portland. Zach has been injury free for some time now and people will see what he can do. Also, Zach-haters forget that Walsh has been scouting Zach since high school & is still very high on Zach (which means he ain’t going to get traded!)
October 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Mr. K1X says:
if the right deal (something Dantoni wants) comes up, he is outta here.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Dagomar says:
“I’d go so far as to say that he and David Lee are the perfect combination for the new philosophy in New York.”
No, they aren’t. Neither run, pass or shoot like D’Antoni would like. Lee is at least a hustler and a rebounder - Zach, like you pointed out, is a ball-stopper, a selfish player, poor passer, poor runner, and his attitude is a team-killer. When he left Portland that team became better. True, he’s got talent and he can score, but that’s not everything in the league. There’s a reason other teams would only want him on the cheap.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Ansonious says:
@ Dagomar Good point, I think Z-bo would fit in way better with the cavs than the bulls, and you would think they would get rid of him for cheap just to lower their payroll. I’m out like the jelly donut in Zachs hands peace!
October 28th, 2008 at 10:52 am
KnickerBlogger says:
“And second, if the Knicks are willing to pay out a $100 million payroll this year to Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry, and Jerome James, they will most definitely be willing to put up the same cake to LeBron, Zach and Jamal Crawford. Frankly, the Knicks could end up paying far less if they added LeBron to the nucleus that MSG has been marketing throughout the preseason: Zach, Nate Robinson, Lee, and Crawford.”
Are you assuming the NBA does away with the salary cap? If not, can you tell me how the Knicks are going to sign LeBron James if they still have Randolph, Lee, Robinson, & Crawford under contract? Throw in Chandler, Gallinari, and their first round pick this year. And that’s only 7 men…
I just don’t see the numbers adding up.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:40 am
control says:
“So far Zach’s been legit for the Knicks and he reminds me of his first days in Portland. Zach has been injury free for some time now and people will see what he can do. Also, Zach-haters forget that Walsh has been scouting Zach since high school & is still very high on Zach (which means he ain’t going to get traded!)”
That high he has is called a “contact buzz”.
Fuck Zach, guy is one of the most over rated players in the league…there’s no way he should be making 17mil/year. I hear the only reason he gets rebounds is because he underwent some hypnotherapy…the doctor has him brainwashed into thinking that rebounds are pizzas.
I hope he stays on the Knicks so I don’t have to start hating on some other team.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
QuEsT??? says:
they shouldnt trade him but its the only option they have got, remember they are playing to get lebron not to win now, they have to make cap room and he is the only person that they can trade that has value. as better as he gets the more likely hell be traded
October 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Whos says Lebron will even leave the Cavs and if he does who says he want be going to any of the other 29 teams in the league. What makes NY so special? Why do people keep bringing up his name when it comes to New York or New Jersey. Is it because they both have “New” in there names? I guess if NEW Hampshire had a team he might be going there in 2010 too huh?
October 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Harris says:
No one thinks LeBron will go to New Jersey. It’s Manhattan or Brooklyn, both in NYC. Right now, the Knicks need Randolph because they don’t have anyone else who can play center at all. Walsh says Zach was the best low post player he’d ever seen in high school, so I think he stays for a while, or gets traded for a center.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
Don’t be a smartass Big Shot Bob. You know the reason.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
SmartAss says:
Yes, yes, Zach should traded before Curry because he is a much better fit in D’Antoni’s system, just look at the preseason numbers, Curry is all over the place outperforming even Nate Robinson …