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Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:59 pm**

I'm not one for zach bashing but this just boggles my mind...

But Thomas begged to differ with Curry's opinion that he wasn't involved.

"Eddy and Zach [Randolph] get double-teamed and sometimes they get a little frustrated because they think they're not involved, but they're creating so many opportunities for Jamal or for Nate," Thomas said.

Randolph, Thomas said, "almost had a triple double if he just could have stayed satisfied with the game he was having."

Randolph had seven points, five assists and four rebounds at the half, but had just two points, one assist and two rebounds in the second half. Thomas says his power forward bails out of the team concept when he thinks he isn't being featured enough. Thomas says Randolph has to see being double-teamed as "a sign of respect" and an opportunity for someone else to take advantage of the defense's focus on him.

"Not a sign that, 'Oh --, I still got to get 20,'" Thomas said.

Now, I know Zach is a selfish player but I'm just flaberghasted by this. That's like a whole new level. Is it some type of personality defect where you derive no pleasure from helping your team be successful??

I've always felt it was just more that he gets zoned in and focused when he has the ball and he was working more on trying to pass, rather than a complete lack of understanding of how the game works. If he wasn't so thick skulled he could be an excellent player and for whatever reason he just doesn't realize that. Thank you to the prominent blazer player who demanded he be traded...

Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:14 pm**

There were a fair share of games where Zach would have a very solid stat line like the one mentioned above yet come out and lay an egg in the second half.

I seem to remember a game last year (I think against the Lakers) where Zach had 6 assists going into half and was playing a very solid all around offensive game. Just didn't follow it up. I'm sure some of it has to do with adjustments made by the other team, but I'm sure some of it also has to do with his mentality.

It's really too bad. Thomas certainly sees the potential that everyone else sees in Zach--he just didn't see the fact that no one seems to feel it was correctable.

Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:44 pm**

what i find more interesting is what in the world will NY do to get better. no one wants to play there, no one wants their players...

Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:58 pm**

Once again, Isiah Thomas learns too late why a team is willing to let go of a high priced star player when he comes a-calling. I also think it is now clear why Brandon Roy made the move to get Zach off the team that he did.

Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:18 pm**

It really makes you appreciate the difference between someone like Roy and someone like Randolph.

Roy understands that a double team means someone else has an easier shot. He makes the extra pass, and if his teammate hits the shot, the defenses will open up for Roy later.

Zach never understood that.

Posted: **Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:18 pm**

Randolph is a great offensive player but his terrible defense and inability to share the ball separate him from all-star calibre players. I don't regret having him on the Blazers but it's definitely nice to have a team that understands the concept of team ball.

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:39 am**

I dunno I think Thomas hit it pretty spot on, with Zach's ability to score on the post he drawls all kinds of double and triple teams. I honestly think he is up there with the likes of KG in how versatile his offensive game is. The problem with Zach is that he isn't a very willing passer frankly and on top of the he is kind of slow to commit the pass. Its almost like hes about 2-3 seconds behind the play when another teammate gets open. I think that goes back to the willingness to be a passer, the great ones see the play before it happens, the average one see it as it happens, Zach falls in the last section.

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:39 am**

mojomarc wrote:it is now clear why Brandon Roy made the move to get Zach off the team that he did.

Except that, you know, it's not at all clear that he did.

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:48 am**

listerine wrote:It really makes you appreciate the difference between someone like Roy and someone like Randolph.

Roy understands that a double team means someone else has an easier shot. He makes the extra pass, and if his teammate hits the shot, the defenses will open up for Roy later.

Zach never understood that.

Case in point. Blazers vs Atlanta: Roy kept finding Frye open when he, Roy was getting mugged to the basket...result, Swish and an assist, multiple times. Same scenario with Zack?, a turnover, opposition transitions to offense and Me-Bo argues with the ref why no foul was called. Swish by the other team, Zack don't have too far to run for offense this time as he didn't move from the previous play.

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:09 am**

Tim Lehrbach wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Except that, you know, it's not at all clear that he did.

Except, you know, that's what the papers reported. Granted, we have to take that with a bit of a grain of salt when it comes to the Big O, but they did report it.

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OT Thomas comments on Zach

OT Thomas comments on Zach