Lets Talk Basketball

[Moon-Man]

Randolph puts in work

SALT LAKE CITY -- All Zach Randolph wants is an opportunity to show what he can do. Not now, during the Rocky Mountain Revue, but during the NBA regular season.

That's when the Portland power forward and Marion, Ind., native wants to really shine.

Randolph could have chosen to spend his summer in some remote locale sweating through private workouts instead of playing with the Blazers' summer-league team. The idea of facing competition every day, however, stoked his competitive fire.

"I'm still trying to develop my game and this is as good a place as any to do that," said Randolph, who ranks among the top five this week in scoring (20.5 points) and rebounds (8.0). "You've got some really good players here and this is a chance for me to fine-tune some things."

The chance to play extended minutes has allowed Randolph to work on his skills away from the basket, something he's convinced will improve his game.

"I'm trying to be as dangerous as possible," Randolph said. "There were times last season when I was effective, and then there were other times when teams adjusted to the way I like to play in the post, that I wasn't able to do what I like to do.

"I've still got a lot to learn. And getting this kind of work in the summer, against this kind of competition, is the best way to get the job done."

When he played big minutes last season, the 6-9, 250-pound Randolph was as effective as any low-post player on Portland's roster. He played 30 or more minutes in just 11 games. But in those games, four of which were during the playoffs, he averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds.

He started and averaged 12 points and six rebounds in a seven-game stretch while Rasheed Wallace was suspended.

"I was telling someone this a few weeks ago, but there are two things that Zach does that every coach loves," Portland assistant coach Jimmy Lynam said. "He scores the basketball and he grabs rebounds. That's not as simple as it sounds.

"Zach just has an incredible knack for being in the right place at the right time on the offensive end. And to be able to rebound against guys who are usually much bigger than he is shows how efficient he is when he's working on the glass."

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/5/060498-7635-039.html