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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Sep 5, 2006 9:37 PM CDT in News

I recently corresponded with Dave, the new guy over at SBNation brother-site BlazersEdge, about the possibility of the Bulls trading for Zach Randolph (with PJ Brown and Sweetney/Duhon going to Portland). You can check out my full response (as well as those of other bloggers he polled) at his site.

I questioned the usual suspects regarding Randolph, namely his attitude and contract, as reasons the Bulls would stay away. And like I've theorized all summer, if Pax is going to deal for a max-salary (or close to it) player, it would only be one that could put them into title contention.

Dave's post was picked up by Eric Marentette's blog, and in the comments section of that post I kindof got taken to task:

The only comment I have on this, is questioning Zach's work ethic. It is known here in Portland, that his work ethic is never in question. Well, maybe once, slightly, last year, when he was rehabbing. Other then that, he is known to work hard in the offseason, and during the season in practice. So, this person questioning that, obviously missed hearing about it. Also, he did show willingness to play D last year, but still needs a lot of work.

I do remember reading/hearing Henry Abbott defend Randolph's work ethic, citing when he first entered the league. But, at least from afar, it seems the type of situation where Randolph stopped trying so hard after getting that contract extension. And even before then he never looked in top physical condition. Maybe he just has that body type, or what he and the Blazers perceived as 'hard work' was really just an effort you should expect out of a professional. The Bulls expect more than that, or at least preach that way.

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Comments

No way in hell

would I want that guy on my team.

Northwestern > Iowa

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Sep 5, 2006 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

colossus...

perhaps you would prefer j.j. reddick in the post?

by leeac on Sep 6, 2006 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's see

one of the best shooters ever or a guy who's owed 5x70 with an attitude problem.

Tough choice.

Northwestern > Iowa

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Best shooters ever?

Need I remind you that your boy hasn't suited up for even a single professional game yet? It's one thing to knock down open looks from the college 3-pt. line against the 2-3 zone and inferior competition. It's quite another to create your own shot against superior athletes in man-to-man coverage.

Nothing personal, but can we please put this JJ love to rest, at least until he proves he won't crap all over himself in the NBA?

by ChrisRobin on Sep 6, 2006 2:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Just wait

You'll see I'm right.

Northwestern > Iowa

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

JJ

Had some serious help in having one of the best pick-setting teams and guys in particular with Shelden, who is a rock of 6'6", and can peel off pretty much any defender smaller than him.

Hinrich, Deng, Wallace for All-Star 2007!!!!!

by cubbybear on Sep 8, 2006 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Randolph's

best year was 3 seasons ago, and he's become another big who has tried to develop a jump shot, and failed miserably, only he stills goes to it (63% of his shots last year). His field goal percentage dropped from 48% in 2003-04 to 43% last year, after missing nearly half of 2004-05. Randolph is either another flash in the pan (see Grandmama), or he could finally be healthy and poised to have another really good season. That's a big gamble for any team to take, not even considering the off court troubles that ESPN analysts would rather discuss when assessing Randolph's talent.

Will the Ginobili/Nocioni era ever be over?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 12:28 AM CDT reply actions

Not in a million years

will Pax trade for Randolph. Take it from this recovering Blazers' fan (born and raised in Oregon), Zach is a DOG. And I don't mean, like, he's my dog. He's A dog, although not quite as flea-bitten as teammate Darius.

IMHO, Zach is one of those guys who looks good on a bad team (after all, SOMEONE'S got to fill out a box score), but will likely be a poison to a team predicated on ball movement and help defense. He's soft (in every sense of the word), plays lackluster defense (slow to rotate and afraid to take a charge), and does litte to utilize his size and wingspan when defending on the block. And he bitches a lot when he doesn't get the ball.

Further, from a practical standpoint (in agreement with Matt), I don't think PJ is bound to be traded UNLESS a top-flight talent is available, and Zach ain't it. I've always assumed PJ's contract was intended to expire, freeing up money for a big splash (hopefully, + extentions) next summer. If anything, I see Pax looking to UNLOAD some of his spare parts around the trading deadline (any combination of Sweetney, Khryapa, Duhon, Allen) to load up on picks, the eventual goal being the acquisition of a second lottery pick (assuming NY blows). Can you imagine... two lottery balls, a ton of tradeable commodities, AND more cap space than expected?

Next year's draft has the potential to establish a lucky team for years to come, and I for one doubt Paxson will abandon a shot at a young superstar for an remote chance at a championship this year. The Bulls are still a year or two away.

by ChrisRobin on Sep 6, 2006 3:36 AM CDT reply actions

I'm with ChrisRobin

I'm also a former Blazers' fan, and even though I don't read local papers that may extoll Zach's work ethic on a daily basis anymore, the numbers tell their own story. After 20 and 10, he goes to 19 and <10 in only 46 games, followed up by 18 and 8 last season.

The players we'd have to give up to get Randolph are capable of putting up those above-average-but-not-league-leading numbers.

by nelswadycki on Sep 6, 2006 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

Between

discussion over the end of the bench and yet more talk of an NBA player's motivation and work ethic (where did the former Bazer fans come from?), the comments section is quickly turning into what I feared most.

Will the Ginobili/Nocioni era ever be over?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

Gotta do something

to pass the time.

Northwestern > Iowa

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

the off

season sucks. Preseason starts next month.

Football season is here. GO HAWKEYES!!!!!!!!

by sue369 on Sep 6, 2006 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

It'll be less boring

once Da Bears start this weekend.

And I'll be 21 as well, so I can fill my time by developing an alcohol addiction that I wouldn't have gotten if the drinking age were 18 bc now I have years of frustration and anger built up without the ability to drink and wasn't able to learn my lesson that drinking isn't the solution to any problem, so I wouldn't end up developing a problem as a result.

Northwestern > Iowa

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep the Bears

on Sunday and the Hawkeyes on Sat.

I hope you have a good time on your birthday BUT I also hope you don't injure yourself or anyone else celebrating.

Football season is here. GO HAWKEYES!!!!!!!!

by sue369 on Sep 6, 2006 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

and the 'work ethic' thing

PaxJax, I agree in principle with your disdain for discussing stuff like 'motiviation' and 'work ethic'. It's impossible to judge a player on those things from our reference point. But there are players like Randolph where the circumstantial evidence mounts to the point where it becomes a relevant topic, right?

And to get back on task, here's a thought from that BlazersEdge thread:

Zach is not a leader, and neither was Sheed. When you put sheed in a system that didn't require him to be a scorer, he helped that team to a championship.

Zach should not be expected to be a leader. He is a tool FOR a leader. He gives the team consitent points and rebounds. A team leader can use this and zach will be an excellent compliment to whoever it is that emerges as a leader.

Zach is a bone head, but someone on the blazers staff needs to realize that his talent is great and that he needs to be worked with and guided. I think the entire team is on a different course and team mates can pressure Zach to step up and quit being and idiot.

Keep Zach, but people need to accept what he is, and what he isn't.

(Well...that person also makes the 'assumption' that Zach is indeed an idiot. But again there's plenty reported in his career to suggest that.)

It's an interesting idea, maybe he just needs to be put in a 'winning culture'. Or whatever the Bulls say they have when describing Skiles and the roster.

But would that make him a better passer or defender? Those are the more pressing issues, I agree. (oh, and the contract)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Sep 6, 2006 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

There is plenty of evidence to suggest Randolph is a bonehead, but the more sensationalistic stuff always gets printed, and is occasionally fabricated.

Rodman turned his problems into profit, and Jordan was shielded by his on court accomplishments. There are plenty of athletes (if not everyone) that could be put under a microscope to reveal flaws in their character. I would argue that most of the time off court or off field problems, whatever, don't affect the team's success, and the only real impact is on the soapboxes of columnists, bloggers, and talking heads on television.

Will the Ginobili/Nocioni era ever be over?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Zach's High School Coach on Zach:

"I just don't want the day to come where I pick up that paper and it says [Zach] shot someone, or that he was shot. Every day that goes by that I don't see that, I feel good."

by Big D on Sep 6, 2006 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

Also . . .

let it not be forgotten that Zach Randolph is the guy who broke a teammate's eye socket by punching him in the face . . .

by Petor on Sep 6, 2006 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

yikes

Doesn't sound like a good fit for the Bulls.

Football season is here. GO HAWKEYES!!!!!!!!

by sue369 on Sep 6, 2006 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

In Randolph's defense

Ruben Patterson has even more of a questionable character.

Will the Ginobili/Nocioni era ever be over?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Sep 6, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

what kind of a defense is that?

That's no defense at all.

I wouldn't trade for him because I don't think his knee is 100 percent. I also think he's not too bright. Jordan was shielded but I don't think he was ever a passenger in car racing down the streets at 3 in the morning with the smell of pot in the car. There's questionable behavour (gambling) and then there's stupid behavour. Good ball players are not stupid.

And remember less can be more in commenting.

ps - Wisconsin will win the big ten

by KT on Sep 6, 2006 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions