Is Zach Randolph playing for the New York Knicks a bad idea?

Yes

1 of 8

by Marcus Brooks

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It has seemed like an era from 2001-2002.

Michigan State sophomore, Zach Randolph entered the NBA Draft as Portland's first round, lottery pick. He and Jason Richardson led their vaunted Spartans into a lengthy, NCAA tournament run in March. They failed to reach the pinnacle as champions. But, the duo spearheaded an athletic squad with high-flying dunks, physical post play and much-needed leadership.

For five seasons, (some injury-filled) he averaged over 18 points and nine rebounds a game. However, he followed the path of that draft's rising superstars. He chose to ask for a king's ransom. He had Trailblazers' owner, Paul Allen throwing millions to keep him. After signing an infamous, $14 million a year contract, Randolph's hunger for notoriety stopped.

While as a Spartan, he played with a massive "chip" on his shoulder. He played ferociously for his hunter green. He defended and rebounded with reckless abandon for coach Tom Izzo and his teammates. However, he obtained riches beyond his Flint, Michigan college years. He got "fat" off his maxed-out contract. He scored and rebounded for his numbers and NBA fantasy owners only. He stopped defending. His Trailblazers stopped winning.

Randolph's selfish play epitomized the selfish attitude in the locker room. Even, bringing Scottie Pippen out of retirement failed to make headway on the youthful Trailblazers. They lost games badly. They failed to make the playoffs after a decade-plus long run with former coach, Rick Adelman. To add, Randolph had problems off the court with a DUI arrest and other misdemeanor arrests.

Allen shipped off Randolph to the Big Apple. With that, he gained a team-first mentality. Coach Nate McMillian put his squad into the hands of all-world, two-guard, Brandon Roy. The former, Washington Huskies standout took ownership of an electic and exciting mix which included the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge (LSU), Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Qntel Woods and Steve Blake.

During last season, Randolph and Roy got into a verbal altercation. McMillan chose his unselfish, "stat-stuffing" guard over an all-star caliber center/power forward. The cleared cap room allowed for Portland to gain a #1 pick in the 2007 draft. It also removed a potential "cancer" on a fragile team. Randolph refused to buy into the team-first approach. He often battled with the coach on being the team's first, scoring option. As a big man, he did nothing for the Trailblazers' offensive capabilities. For someone averaging almost 20 points and 10 boards a game, Randolph had the fewest assists (less than 2) per game.

Since 2000, the Knicks' franchise proved to be a dumping ground for NBA's overblown contracts. Randolph's acquisition joined the likes of the maligned journeyman, Tim Thomas, former, Maryland star, Steve "Stevie Franchise" Francis, Jalen Rose and most recently, the mercurial Stephon "Starbury" Marbury. Madison Square Garden looked more like a boring, three-ring circus than home to a pro basketball team. They overpaid and bought out the contracts of their former coaches, Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas. During a once, affluent economy, New York showed an example of careless over-spending.

Randol ph just became the icing on a cake too rich to swallow.

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