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The Memphis Grizzlies are having about as magical a season as you can have as a small-market team built with a tiny payroll, two second-year starters, Mike Conley and a bench that resembles Jersey Shore: young, foolish and often cringe-worthy. The difference in this team is the subject of much debate. Is it the development of their young core? Is it Lionel Hollins' aggressive style? Or is the addition of Zach Randolph, who has shed his reputation as a locker-room distraction, offensive black hole and low-effort player seemingly overnight?
Apparently, NBA coaches are convinced it's the latter. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal is reporting that Randolph will be announced as an All-Star reserve tonight on TNT.
What's strange is that Randolph's numbers are not dramatically improved from where they've been throughout his career. His big strides have been in the efficiency department, where his field goal percentage is up and his offensive rebounds are ridiculous, averaging over 14 percent of available offensive rebounds for the Grizzlies. To put that in real life terms, if you've got a guy averaging 20 points who's getting you 15 percent more possessions, and who shoots 60 percent at the rim? It makes a ton of sense that he's headed to Dallas.
Questions will abound as to whether Randolph is worthy of the acclaim. With Pau Gasol a near-lock despite missing quite a few games for the Lakers, the addition of Randolph makes it dicey for Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, and Deron Williams (again!) to make the team. All are worthy candidates, and the questions about their absence are well-founded.
But for an exhibition that is largely decided by the fans, is there a better story than Randolph? Maligned veteran is traded to Memphis, increasing the number of jokes made about the small-market squad (and rest assured, I was among those tossing the LOL-otov cocktails). The veteran then takes on a leadership role, bonding with a young squad, developing what can only be described as a passionate camaraderie with the Spanish center who helps form arguably the second best frontcourt tandem in the league. He produces a consistent 20-10, makes all the little plays, steps in for his players in scrums, gives advice to young guards, and goes out and is voted an All-Star by the coaches of the league. We're way too far out to see how this Memphis tale is going to end up, but for its mocked and weary fanbase, the first half of this season has been a dream too good to be true. And it just got better.
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