November 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"
They locked themselves in a room. No coaches allowed. The Grizzlies players recently held a no-frills, private party with only a television, DVD player and plenty of burning issues to air out. That players-only film session is what the Grizzlies mostly credited Wednesday night for inspiring their first two-game winning streak this season as a result of a 106-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in FedExForum. Memphis led from start to finish thanks to their most thorough effort since a victory against Toronto nearly a month ago. Displaying dreamy ball movement on offense and improved effort defensively, the Griz suddenly are playing like they watch game reruns: Together. "The meeting ..."
November 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
"
He was one of the last two Grizzlies remaining in the locker room, tidying up, toweling off, strapping his dueling cell phones to his jeans. I asked Zach Randolph if he had a favorite play from the night's work. Randolph broke out in an impossibly big smile. "The block," he said. Which is perfect, isn't it? The man scores 30 points Friday night to carry the Grizzlies to their first win of the season. He has six massive offensive rebounds and three feathery assists. And all he wants to talk is the time -- the one time? -- he got Chris Bosh's shot. The Grizzlies had been trying to keep up with Bosh and the Raptors all night. They had finally drawn within two. So the Raptors went back to ..."
October 31
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"
On opening night of the regular season, the Grizzlies didn't score enough points, put up enough resistance or even look as if they wanted to be in FedExForum. Friday night, Memphis got a mulligan and made up for its false start by beating the Toronto Raptors, 115-107, before an announced crowd of 10,563. "It's a sigh of relief. We came out with energy and guys are on the same page," power forward Zach Randolph said after tossing in 30 points to lead the Griz to their first victory this season. The Griz looked like a completely different team than the one that got pummeled by Detroit. From the start against the Raptors, the Griz accumulated deflections on defense, aggressively chased ..."
October 26
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"
After moving in a line about a city block long, the autograph-seeking lady finally stood in front of Zach Randolph. "Will you personalize this?" she asked, pointing to her Grizzlies poster featuring Randolph. "Yes ma'am," Randolph replied. "You killed us every time you played against us," the woman said. "I'm glad you're here." Randolph could muster only a sheepish grin in response. The common Grizzlies fan seems to shower Randolph with appreciation wherever he goes, and the maligned 6-9 power forward has reciprocated, so far, by displaying his best on and off the court. Randolph will put on a No. 50 Grizzlies jersey Wednesday, and then spend every day getting fitted for a new image ..."
July 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist David Williams
"
They play the games with the goal of someday winning the O'Brien Trophy, the spoils of an NBA championship. Tuesday afternoon at FedExForum, the Grizzlies and their new power forward, Zach Randolph, made a grab for another piece of hardware -- a Tony Award. That's the one they give in the theater. But then, introductory press conferences are all about theater. They're about spinning a tale that people would pay to see -- in this case, the tale of a man reborn, a franchise revitalized, hope restored. "I just want to start a whole new chapter from this day on," said Randolph, who has a well-earned reputation for, let's just say, ruckus, on and off the court. "I do care about what people say ..."
July 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"
All the talk and speculation about his arrival became reality when Zach Randolph, all 6-9 and 260 pounds of him, walked into the press conference room at FedExForum on Tuesday afternoon. For a franchise in desperate need of inside scoring, he represents hope. And for Randolph himself, a new home with the Grizzlies means a fresh start, a chance to write his own script. "I just want to start a whole new chapter," he said during his formal introduction to the media, beaming for a bank of television cameras. Randolph, a power forward, was acquired last week from the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal for veteran swingman Quentin Richardson. With the Clippers and the New York Knicks last season, ..."
July 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Scott Cacciola
"
When Zach Randolph asked team officials for some time off after his girlfriend's cousin was murdered in March 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers granted the talented but troubled forward "bereavement leave" to attend the funeral back home in Indiana. But the next night, while the Blazers were losing to Seattle, Randolph was across town at the Exotica International Club for Men. He left in the wee hours, without paying his tab. And so, amid the smoke-filled haze of a strip club, the final chapter of Randolph's tenure in Portland was written. He was dealt three months later to the New York Knicks for little more than table scraps, which was as much an indictment of his reckless lifestyle as ..."