Post by Rog on Jan 23, 2017 2:32:49 GMT
The 63rd nominee of the NBN Hall of Fame, Zach Randolph, was a destructive scoring force capable of dropping 30 from the power forward spot without breaking a sweat. He also was a damn good rebounder, but didn't bring much else to the table. Could a one dimensional big like Zach Randolph be remembered as an All-Time great, or is he a picture perfect example of "Hall of Very Good". Lets take a look.
Career Stats
29.9 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.6 TOPG on 46.6% from the field, 83.6% from the line, and 27.9% from three
Best Season
Pistons(2006) - 27.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.1 TOPG on 49.5% from the field, 80.1% from the line, and 27.3% from three
Career Highs
Points: 52
Rebounds: 28
Assists: 10
Steals: 6
Blocks: 4
Achievements
Championships: 1
Player of the Game: 173
Player of the Week: 5
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 626
Triple Doubles: 1
Awards
2004 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2004 - All-Rookie Team
2005 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2006 - All-Star Game Participant
2009 - All-Star Game Participant
2009 - All-League Third Team
Arguments For Induction
- Randolph was a one time champ in this league, no small feat, as well as a two time All-Star and was named to an All-League third team in a tough, tough position to garner awards in this league.
- Randolph above and beyond was an extremely good scorer, averaging 20 points a game in just under 30 minutes, keeping that high average despite a few years riding the bench at the end of his career. In fact, despite some limited minutes late and a shorter career, Randolph finished 27th in the league in scoring. During his prime he was good for 23 to 25 points per game, even higher at times. This was a destructive scorer that could help any team.
- Not only did Randolph score well in volume, he did it efficiently as well. For his career he shot a 46.6/83.6/27.9 line that is impressive for any player, but even more impressive for a inside oriented big in FBB. That is something that is an elite line. In his prime where he was scoring volume numbers, he was closer to 47.5/84/28, even more impressive.
- Zbo was also a good to elite rebounder depending on the year. He averaged 10.3 rebounds a game for his career, in his prime he was a 11.5 to 12 rebound a game guy. Again, despite a shorter career and limited minutes towards the end of his career, he finished top 20, 19th, in rebounds.
- Overall, Zach Randolph played like a Hall of Famer, put up Hall of Famer stats, and has a pretty solid case to me. He won a title, has top of the line stats, didn't turn it over, and was just one of those guys that you could count on to give you 23/12 and shoot the ball with efficiency.
Arguments Against Induction
- The biggest argument against anyone is always the same: Not enough awards, period. Good player, even great at times, but how can you be a Hall of Famer with the awards Randolph had? Its just not feasible to me.
- Not a great rebounder, might have gotten there once or twice but not enough to be considered an actual "elite" rebounder for his career. While not a true negative, its also not a true positive either.
- Despite carrying a B+ or A- defensive rating, Randolph wasn't a good defender. Less than 1 stock a game, never an All-Defensive guy, and above and all just didn't have the reputation of a good defender.
- Overall its somewhat a tough case to make for a guy who was pretty singularly focused on scoring and being a somewhat good rebounder. He wasn't a guy you feared playing in the playoffs and despite his title, which he played 9 minutes a game for, he wasn't ever on teams known for being very good. There just isn't enough here to justify a vote, is there?
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully!
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25**
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