4) Zach Randolph
Best Year in Portland: 23.6 ppg, 2.2 apg, 10.1 rpg
Best Year Away: 20.1 ppg, 2.0 apg, 12.2 rpg
Look, Z-Bo was a stud as a Blazer. Despite our terrible records, we all saw the hope he brought Portland after averaging a double-double as a 22-year old. But, as hinted before, with the amount of success Randolph brought Portland, he was the leader of a team that has virtually been erased from Blazer history. With trouble for Wallace on the court and Randolph off it, the team went on to some of the worst seasons history once Randolph became the face of the franchise. He was great individually, but near the end of his time in Portland, it was evident that both sides wanted nothing to do with each other.
It’s not you, it’s me.
The Blazers had their future with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy and Aldridge and wanted to forget about the Jailblazers fast. Once the 2008-9 season started, Portland traded Randolph in November to make way for the young stars. Randolph went on to find a nice niche in Memphis, where he and Marc Gasol have teamed up to form arguably the best front court in the NBA when healthy and have been title contenders for the last few years.
What Could’ve Been
Randolph would’ve toughened up Aldridge a bit more, and maybe the two could’ve been a finesse/physical inside out game that looked so promising with Oden.
5 and 4 we’re already pretty good and just went on to better records and success. Brace yourself as Portland just has to stick their tail between their legs and admit they blew it with the next three.
Next: Will the Thrill