Is Randolph an All-Star?
As of this morning, last time I checked, Z-Bo was still waiting to hear if he was going to be selected as an All-Star reserve.
My guess: he won’t. And my position: he shouldn’t be.
Not because of his stats. His stats clearly show him to be an all-star caliber player on the court.
But the NBA is an image-conscious league that has, at its top, developed an appreciation for the realities of marketing and public perception. And the bright, shiny power that the media spotlight has to shape the discussion in the market and among the public.
Now, of course, the issue is clouded by Kobe. Kobe had a pretty troubled life a couple of years ago. Rape allegations. In-fighting with Shaq and Phil and others. Hardly a poster-boy for the league to throw up to show its most desireable attributes.
But Kobe was selected to the all-star team anyway. Not by the league, but by the fans. So what we found was, that in Kobe’s case, fans either didn’t care about his legal woes, didn’t believe him to be guilty of his legal issues, or weren’t aware of his legal issues sufficiently to trump name recognition and his earlier crowning as the second coming of MJ.
Zach hasn’t yet risen to the cream of the crop in the Western Conference in the eyes of fans, so he has no shot at winning an election based on name recognition. Thus, to get on the all-star team, he has to impress the coaches of the team, and that most likely means that the league has some influence on the decision.
Zach was in the conversation a couple of years ago. After he’d already shattered Reuben Patterson’s eye socket. So the league shied away from the convicted gun toter and unpredictable thuggery that he represented at that point. In the past 12 months, Zach has been pulled over in a speeding car with guns, been accused of (and investigated for) rape, been sued for sexual assault and has also been sued for harassing and assaulting a person who snitched on Qyntel Woods back in the dogfighting days that helped finally put a cap on the days of JailBlazing. Then his car and his wallet and his gun all turned up with his friend in a nasty nudie-bar brandishing and drunk driving incident.
Whether or not any of this stuff has any merit, in the court of public opinion Z-Bo looks dirty dirty dirty. Sure, he’s kept his nose clean as the season has rolled along (which is a welcome change), but if he was on the all-star team that would subject the league to a further discussion of the merits of Zach Randolph as a person and of the on-going perception that thuggery is part-and-parcel with the league.
So, is Randolph an All-Star? Not as I see it. If he gets on the team, I’ll buy frequent Z-Bo apologist TKrueg a sixer of his favorite beer (assuming he enjoys such things) as a mea culpa for being a close-minded fool. But I’m willing to bet that I’m no more close-minded than the NBA’s decision makers, so I think my bank account is safe…
Your thoughts?
My observations are that Mr. Randolph has good technical skills much of the time, but has not matured into the level of star quality we had with Clyde Drexler,for example. Mr. Randolph can sometimes make a game exciting but has yet to develop the composure, consistency, dignity, and charisma to ignite fan loyalty. Plus he places himself in situations where press can easily write him off as someone who routinely has problems with law enforcement and/or the ability to work with or perform for others.
I know I said I was “busy” that weekend, but it turns out, I’m actually available for the Allstar game, after all:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2007/02/mercury_wins_media_basketball.php
Zach’s play this year has really been outstanding. His off-court problems make it a close call, but if he were just a normal guy in that department, he would clearly be an all-star. No one in the league can stop him most nights.
Hah, uh… Randolph is okay but I wouldn’t say he’s a premier player by any stretch. He’s big and gets to the line a lot where he is a pretty good shot. If he played in the Eastern Conference maybe but there’s no chance he’ll get the nod.
I’d argue that, talent-wise, Zach is a premier player in this league. And, if he were in the Eastern Conference, his talent level would be amplified.
In fact, I could see him being a starter in the East, because that’s where the majority of the fan base (and the nation’s population) is, and I think that his talent on a big stage would equal fan votes.
But if this isn’t in the hands of the fans, and is instead a question of WWSD (What Would Stern Do), then I think clearly Zach will be on the outside looking in for another year.
For fans waiting for another Clyde the Glide, players like that are few and far between. Uber-talent with a modicum of class and dignity seem to be the exception these days, and not the rule. Which is not to say that you can’t find them, but they cost some big $$$. But keep your eye on Brandon Roy. Of course it’s too early to crown him as anything, but he seems to be as real a deal as we’ve seen here in a long, long time…
Puh-leeese. Let’s not pretend that all recent all-stars are all-saints, let alone charismatic, engaging or affable. Even the ones that seemingly are have played everyone as a fool. Oh, Lebron attends a poolside party with topless groupies, and the media conveniently turns a blind eye. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but in this small-town argument about a basketball player’s private life, it must be relevant… right?
What about Gary Payton’s recent revelation that most nights, he can smell liquor on players and/or coaches, continuing that most players drink frequently.
If there is question about Zach’s appeal, as it applies to being an exciting player, may I direct everyone’s attention to Tim Duncan. His admittedly productive game is as dull as an old knife, but David Stern isn’t complaining.
So Zach, who actually has a rap sheet two inches long, is not a polished guy or a deep thinker. So what. There isn’t a personality test or SAT hurdle to get into the league. He’s paid to produce, which he has… only he’s in the PF-heavy Western Conference. He’s playing team ball, keeping his nose clean, all while averaging 23+ pts and 10+ rebounds… good enough to be in the company of Dirk and Garnett. But I guess it’s never going to enough for some people.
I defy anyone to prove me wrong.
May I also add that the constant hand-wringing by the local media and blogs about Zach and the all-star game isn’t helping his case. As the league decides on reserves, you can bet they’re taking a pulse of these sources to help determine worthiness.
Again, I defy to prove me wrong.
TK:
I knew I could count on you…
I think the issue that we could agree on here is that it’s a matter of perception. Lebron and the topless groupies isn’t widely known, nor is Payton’s statement. Zach’s isues, however, have been broadcast pretty widely.
So, whether he’s a good enough player isn’t my point. As I said in my first sentence, and in my later comment, talent-wise Zach is an all-star caliber player. The issue is one of the league controlling the perception of it, and I don’t think the league would want to bring Zach to the forefront to spark a discussion that would, inevitably, turn back to media criticism of the league that could very well bring other stories, that have been kept under wraps, to light.
Anyway, if I end up being wrong on Zach not getting selected, what kind of beer am I buying you?
You probably won’t have to buy me a sixer of Bridgeport IPA, since the defeatist position that permeates the Zach/all-star debate is not going to help his case…
TK
I would note that, Brian Meehan aside, the local media is (and, I agree, pretty astoundingly) turning out in support (or at least a general lack of non-support) of Zach’s All-Star campaign. Even the Fan guys have been beating the Z-Bo drum, which is a change.
I’d guess that Zach’s best shot at an All Star appearance will come if he can move to a big market team where his off court stuff won’t be looked at under such a microscope.
Perhaps sometime I’ll buy you a pint just for being a good sport. Though I’ve dogged you in the past, you are probably my favorite commenter, both because you’re (generally) dependably on the other side of most of my arguments, but you’re thoughtful and not knee-jerk in (I would say most) of your responses.
Back atcha, buddy ;)
Randolph simply does not have the intellect to be an all-star. Sure, center plays around the guy and he’ll post numbers, but beyond that he is frankly… not very bright.
Oh, Atlas… are you really that sure that all the people named to the All-star squad are mental giants? That there aren’t some dim bulbs in that group? Give me a break and take that tired, baseless argument out to the trash.
Only in Portland would we try to find SOME reason to excuse a 24 and 11 guy from not making the squad. How do you think he got there? Because he actually works his tail off, and wonder of wonders, his lack of 20th century literature knowledge doesn’t really play a factor. The last time I checked, he’s got a pretty good nose for the ball and he doesn’t play point guard where he runs the show. What the hell is your point?
I’m really not a sports guy. I read the scores and have a very peripheral awareness of what’s going on. As a non-fan, I have to look at it this way:
Are the all-stars selected for basketball ability, or because they’d make a great neighbor. If it’s basketball ability, then who cares if someone also happens to be a convicted criminal.
If off-the-court issues matter… then why do we only care about this select group of players? Wouldn’t we want ALL of the athletes to have some decency?
What is my point? It seems clear, but because you can’t seem to comprehend my earlier post, try this…
Zach Randolph is not very smart. That is my point. Understand? I feel that Zach Randolph is not a smart person. He is from my perspective an idiot.
Baseless argument? Come on, need I really rehash the many stories that display his supreme stupidity? On and off the court. On the court personally, I don’t even think he has an understanding of the finer nuances of the game.
You display an ignorance I am surprised to see, afterall even you have acknowledged his stupidity in past discussion.
In any event, you obviously think otherwise now.
Good for you. I get it. You really like Zach Randolph. He appeals to you. Great.
I however, think he is an idiot. I don’t think he is All-Star material. Or even “reserve” material. The All-Star team roster shows that I’m not alone in that assessment.
Damn, Atlas, that’s harsh.
I agree that Randolph isn’t smart. Either in a schoolbook way, or in a common sense way. I think if he was intelligent he’d surround himself with better people and devote his free time to better things. I wouldn’t be shocked, in 10 or 15 years, if Zach was like Shawn Kemp, having fathered many kids with many women and ruined his life with drugs and turned into an anecdote that people shared. A “don’t be a Z-Bo” sort of mantra.
All that said, his numbers and his importance to his team both support the assertion that he is an All-Star caliber player. I think if he didn’t have the checkered past that he does, he would’ve been named a reserve. I think the only thing keeping him off the team is the NBA’s desire to project a clean image. If he didn’t have all of that dirty laundry to air, I don’t think we’d be having the “why isn’t he an All-Star?” discussion. And, in fact, I think he’d be having Nike and Adidas endorsement deals and all the other stuff that attends being a successful, high-quality player on an NBA franchise.
In the end, despite assertions that the issue lies with how the media covers Randolph, the real problem is that he puts himselves into situations that he has a choice not to be involved in, and his decisions in the past will dog him into the foreseeable future. It’s his fault as much as (and, I think, more than) anyone else’s.
“Don’t be a Z-Bo”
lol
Atlas, you didn’t actually address any of my points because you’re relying on soft logic. AGAIN, are you that up to speed on the NBA and the players to judge Zach’s character against everyone on the West roster? Do you know for a fact that Zach is dumber than the lot of them, or that they’re all angelic do-gooders? My guess is no.
Right now, the league is considering Carmelo Anthony as a fill in reserve for the team. The same guy suspended 15 games for cowardly bitch-slapping another player. The guy can score, but can’t rebound his way out of a paper bag, considering his size. The same guy who claimed ‘Sniches get stitches’ on video. And yet, we’re having a discussion about Z-Bo’s mental fitness for the all-star team??
I don’t have some sort of irrational man-crush on Zach that leads me to defend him or his off-court actions… I just can’t stand when people focus on irrelevant bullshit that has no bearing on game-time performance. As a life-long Blazer fan, I’m thrilled to finally have a player averaging 24pts and 11 rebounds… so yeah, I’m pissed his hustle is being tragically overlooked and that I have to suffer fools like you who know absolutely nothing about the league.
Oh dear. This discussion has gotten a little feverish. And revealing. Mr.TKRUEG why did you feel it necessary to disclaim a man-crush on Mr. Randolph? Man-crushes are ok. We are a diverse society. No need to be defensive.
“Do you know for a fact that Zach is dumber than the lot of them”
Well I would say yes. He is from my perspective, an idiot. I truly can’t believe you have difficultly understanding that. It’s my perspective, not yours.
“I just can’t stand when people focus on irrelevant bullshit that has no bearing on game-time performance”
This post has been about his All-Star status… his being an idiot is entirely relevant and I would argue that it does affect his game-time performance.
“so yeah, I’m pissed his hustle is being tragically overlooked and that I have to suffer fools like you who know absolutely nothing about the league”
Looks like I know enough about the league to know they do not hold Z-BO in the high regard you do. Is he in any way on the All-Star team? NO. Sorry that bothers you, clearly you are bothered… but it is the reality.
BTW Lady, I think you nailed the issue at hand. Although I would also suggest that it is Tkrueg’s word of “irrational” that is most telling.