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Memphis Grizzlies: Playoff Moments “Our Bodyguard”

By Brendan Smart

Clippers Blake Griffin and Grizzlies Zach Randolph collide in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center Saturday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Clippers Blake Griffin and Grizzlies Zach Randolph collide in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center Saturday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) /
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My Memphis Grizzlies favorite playoff moments series continues with all of the Zach Randolph “take downs.” The heart, and body guard of the Grizzlies was constantly making sure he wasn’t getting rooked.

Although all of these take downs feature Blake Griffin, they were all in the playoffs so it fits in my second spot nicely. Griffin and Randolph were a great match up several years ago, because of their different style of offensive play. While Randolph beat Griffin up in the post, Griffin tried to beat Randolph in the air and off the dribble (It never ended well for Blake).

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 20: Blake Griffin #32 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers go after the ball with Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 20: Blake Griffin #32 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers go after the ball with Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. /

Looking back, the Los Angeles Clippers rosters were cursed when they would play Memphis, and Randolph had a lot to do with that. Randolph’s physical play made it tough for his opponents and the referee’s to adjust throughout a game. For instance, if Randolph’s opponent was less than average offensively in the post he would lack foul calls. This led to tempers flying high with Z-Bo’s defenders, but being honest Randolph was just more crafty around the rim. Never more athletic then his opponent, just smarter, and reacted better then many big men in the league.

So, looking back at the take downs, we can all agree that Griffin had them coming, right? Back then, Griffin was cocky, and possibly more confident then he should have been, but that’s okay because our body guard took care of that.

In all of these “fights,” who do you think wins? These take downs made Grizzly basketball more Grittier than they already were, and made a city full of wrestling fans loved it, including myself. It was a different way of showing how intense playoff basketball is, and how some are ready for it and how some guys just aren’t.

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