Zach Randolph makes his return to the FedexForum on Friday. Let’s celebrate his legacy by remembering one of his more infamous moments.
NBA fans had a field day when the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers had a neat “fight” a few nights ago. The “Brawl in the Hall” had a little bit of everything (except fighting): Secret tunnels, diversionary tactics, and even the police. That’s not to even mention the fact that Chris Paul failed to get his team past the second door (who would have thought).
Also, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal always make a great situation even better.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/953283648865759233
However, there was one thing that really bothered me: None of it was believable.
Do you really think Chris Paul, President of the Players’ Association and possible choir boy, is going to fight someone? Or Blake Griffin for that matter? The only time Blake Griffin wanted to throw hands was when he punched the Clippers’ equipment manager.
As one of the wisest men of our generation, Drake, once said, “Trigger fingers have turned to twitter fingers.” There aren’t many guys in the NBA anymore who are really about that life.
Now, Zach Randolph, THAT is a guy who is definitely about that life. You could throw Zach Randolph in the middle of D-Day or the Malice at the Palace. He would not be out of place in either situation. Truly, he is one of the last of his kind.
Many have tested the will of Zach Randolph, and all have backed down like an insecure boy at a Sadie Hawkins dance. DeMarcus Cousins? He is now Zach Randolph’s son. Blake Griffin? Well, just watch for yourself.
In reality, there is only one player who has ever truly held his own against Randolph — Kendrick Perkins. He’s a player whose grit and toughness allowed him to stay in the league longer than his talent should have let him.
Perkins and Randolph had many physical battles over the years. It was only a matter of time before their battles grew into a true confrontation.
“We Don’t Bluff”
The date was November 21, 2012.
The Memphis Grizzlies were on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As usual, Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins jawed back and forth, presumably saying things about each other’s mother. However, nothing was really out of the ordinary.
Even though nothing specific happened on the court, the league decided to fine Randolph because of an undisclosed “post-game confrontation” with Perkins.
Honestly, there is nothing more I can say to describe this situation — I’m not as eloquent as Zach Randolph. From here on out, it’ll be just a collection of Zach’s own words in his talk with Chris Vernon.
You got fined $25,000 for confronting Oklahoma City’s Kendrick Perkins. Did you whoop his ass?
“I didn’t whoop his ass; that’s the thing about it. Hopefully I get some back. I’m trying to get some back. I was surprised. … They said it was because I went through the double doors. I guess I went on their side. I don’t know.”
Are you guys lunatics? You both went to the back after getting ejected and were going to fight?
“You know what, I tell you, those basketball games, they get real emotional. Two guys, it’s physical, emotional, it gets rough down there. And emotions flared. One thing can lead to another on the court.”
But it sounded like Perkins was talking to Marc Gasol on the court, not you?
“Well, you know, when you’re talking to Marc, you’re talking to me. That’s how I roll, on the court or off the court. And that’s the same way with him. I think he got mad because Marc, remember that move? Marc had crossed him over at the elbow and had the pump fake. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, bust his butt, Marc,’ walking down the court.”
Did you try to go in their locker room?
“Nah, I didn’t try to go in their locker room. There are some doors … and their locker room was right there to the left and I had went through some doors into the hallway. … Lesson learned. It won’t happen again. I ain’t going to lose now $25,000 again. I’m done with all that bluffing on the court because them guys do a lot of bluffing. I’m from the bluff city; we don’t do no bluffing, man.”
Could you whoop his ass?
“Hahaha. I’m good with these hands. I’m a jacking dude. I’m pretty good with these hands. Every day I came out the house, I had to fight, so me and my brothers. … I’d say [I’ve probably been in] too many fights to count. Probably about 30 or 40. We’re talking about, like, from middle school and freshman year, mainly when I was young.”
How many have you lost?
“I’d say [my record would] be about 28-2 or 28-4. … I used to fight older guys, because once older guys, they’ve got their chest high. … We never backed down. … They wasn’t even in our weight class, but they respected us.”
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The King of Memphis
If you are Kendrick Perkins, how would you respond to this interview? How would you respond to a grown man basically telling the world that he can kick your ass?
Moments like this are why people love Zach Randolph. The bluntness, the sense of humor and the toughness make him who he is and have endeared him to thousands of people.
In this particular incident, Zach Randolph added to his legend, and in the process, he inspired a cultural movement and a new rap song. All things considered, it was probably worth the fine.