There is a growing belief that Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and forward Zach Randolph aren't on the same page, but both men dispelled the notion on Thursday.
"Our relationship is fine," Randolph said. "I respect my coach."
The Grizzlies fell behind by 30 points in a loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday, during which the opposing broadcasters suggested there was a riff between Hollins and Randolph.
"The only beef I had with Zach is he was excessively late for a shootaround that started at 4:30 p.m. (last Saturday)," Hollins said. "I told him I can't start you and he understood. Everybody's got their opinion about what goes on in our locker room. But only the people in there know. I haven't had a beef with Zach and he hasn't had one with me."
Hollins said any correlation between Randolph's recent poor performances and their relationship is off base because there are basketball reasons why Randolph has struggled lately.
"We're getting him the ball," Hollins said. "If you watch the games, we're getting him the ball. It's just now teams are taking him away. They're running three people at him and he's making passes. Other people are having to step up and try to do things. It's just the way it is."