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Randolph Getting Back to Form

Coming off knee surgery, it has taken Zach Randolph some time to get back to shape. Randolph is averaging nearly 19 points and 9 rebounds per contest which is not bad considering that he is not 100% yet. These last few games Randolph has kicked it up another level and is being much more aggressive on the glass, much more aggressive in the paint, and jumping much quicker and higher than he was earlier in the season. And you know what happens when a player starts playing better?

What has been making the difference is that he is getting the ball more. One of the reasons the Portland offense is clicking as of late is because the first pass each trip down the court is not to Randolph on the wing or some other guard , but to Randolph in the post. And guess what? Randolph is now looking for cutters and kicking it out to open wing players, like Coach Nate McMillan has been wanting. See, we told you it would happen, it would just take a little time.

Now it`s happening, the offense is playing much, much better, and the coach even had the beginnings of a smile after the game. "We`re playing like I hoped we would," said McMillan. He emphasized the team wanted to win the paint, win the free throw line, and win the turnovers.