Official: Memphis trades for Randolph

[dennis00]

This ruins 2010 signings, or does Memphis think good players would never want to go to Memphis? No matter if max-contract was offered.

[SD2042]

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Pics on ZBo as the newest Grizz.

[It_Was_Typed]

Shame on Yahoo for forgetting to include this pic of Doughboy.

[darkangle901]

I was just wondering what the reaction was at the time this happened (I was absent from the forum at that time).

Surprised at the almost universal negative reaction.

[vanjulio]

I went to one of the first preseason games in person the day after my wedding with my awesome wife that got us great tickets. I met Zach at our hotel the next morning and told him how excited I was. At first I definitely had my reservations about it but after a few weeks of mulling it over I had nothing to do but hope it works out.

You have to remember this was during the initial year or 2 of the "3YP" so we had to believe CW and MH had a plan and were building around the "core" of Conley/Gay/Mayo who we were ultra excited about. Mayo and Gasol were both coming out of being first team rookies. I dont know if anyone knew exactly how perfect it would work out for Memphis though. I had a feeling it could go either way. Since I like the Grizzlies so much I always choose to hope for the best.

I have met a handful of pro athletes here and there as a fan since I was a little kid. Meeting ZBO at the hotel that morning after getting crushed by the Orlando Magic stands out as one of the best. Obviously it was during a very important personal milestone for me and my new bride as well!! But ZBO was just 100% pleased to shake my hand and returned the same enthusiasm he had for the upcoming season. I said "I'm really excited for this year I think you guys can do big things"... something like that. And he was just all smiles and something along the lines of, "thank you man, that means so much, I really appreciate it. I think we can too"... etc. I was prepared a guarded response and that he'd be much more reserved. All the stuff you hear on the media about a person - it's garbage until you actually meet them for real.

[jefe]

I was just wondering what the reaction was at the time this happened (I was absent from the forum at that time).

Surprised at the almost universal negative reaction.

Yeah, it's easy to forget just how much Zbo was looked down upon after being dumped by the Blazers through his trade to Memphis.

Somewhat OT, but I had a cousin who was a diehard Grizz fan and had been a season ticket holder for years prior to acquiring Zbo. After we traded for Zbo, he declined to renew his season ticket solely because of the decision to trade for Zbo rather than making a run for Lee or Milsap - he lost his faith in the Grizz's management. Needless to say, one year later (when we were in the playoff race but fell short) he felt dumb for doing it. For the last couple seasons he has purchased multiple power packs, but still hasn't bought another season ticket.

Incidentally, I bought my first season ticket for 09-10 and have renewed it every year since. You could say I got in on the ground floor for this current incarnation of the Grizz.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Great follow up post jefe. That was fun reading my, and others, initial reaction to the trade again.

[darkangle901]

I think the 09-10 season was when my opinion of Wallace changed. You could tell by season's end what a steal randolph was, and then 10-11 put all doubts to rest.

Let's be honest, if it were Lee we had acquired, we probably didn't make the playoffs in 2011, and even if we did, no way we beat the Spurs. Though 2012 might have been a better year with Lee, it doesn't really count because of Z's injury. Ditto for Milsap.

I still think that if dealing Rudy was the plan then the team waited too long. We should have re-upped Mayo if Gay was out: the deal he ended up getting was very affordable.

[EzeDoesIt]

Crazy how things can change. I would have been upset to get him too, a couple years ago. Good for Z-Bo though, always liked him.

[I Am Awesome-O]

Zach Randolph is the best Grizzly of all time.

Also, I've met him and he is the biggest blue collar teddy bear in the NBA.

So naturally, I feel like a complete douche.

[SD2042]

It goes show that ppl are capable of change as long as they put their mind to it. I'm glad that Zbo was able to change for the better. He and the Grizzlies benefited from it. And here we are 3 yrs later and bound for the playoffs for the third time in a row.

[Basketball MVP]

I'm thankful that Randolph is a Grizzly, and I could see his jersey retired here some day if he stays here.

[blackjays1]

Thats all on ZBo there, he's changed his state of mind and everyones opinion about getting him, put all that crap in the past.

Hope they pay that man his money and not trade him, im sure he'd be willing to negotiate a cheaper contract after next year and retires w/ MEM.

[darkangle901]

Thats all on ZBo there, he's changed his state of mind and everyones opinion about getting him, put all that crap in the past.

Hope they pay that man his money and not trade him, im sure he'd be willing to negotiate a cheaper contract after next year and retires w/ MEM.

Well contract re-negotiations are not allowed in the NBA as far as I know. The Grizz might be able to get him to waive his $16.5 million player option for 2014-2015 in exchange for a reasonably priced contract extension (maybe $8mil per year) that will keep him in Memphis for good.