[ChrischiParticipant]

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Griz power forward Zach Randolph is coming off consecutive franchise playoff record performances. 31 points against San Antonio Friday night then 34 points Sunday afternoon. So impressive was Randolph that Thunder two-time All-Star Kevin Durant admitted, “You can’t stop him, he’s an animal, he’s the best power forward in the league.” To which Randolph replied, “I agree with that.”

Yeah, yeah. Always upgrade your opponents and sound humble to make your losses look less embarrassing or secure yourself. In case you lose you can always say: Yeah, but they had the best PF in the game.

The Grizzlies are one of my favorite teams and Z-Bo has been playing out of his mind, but best PF in the game? Maybe fifth at best if you pick him over Bosh which would be wrong imo. Seriously wtf is Durant saying?

[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

If Randolph wants to agree with Durant’s ridiculous statement, then he better be ready to prove himself.

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 Ya I shook my head at that comment as well. 

Randolph has been the man in the playoffs, but I could name quite a few better PF’s in the league right now. Maybe Durant is trying to make Randolph feel too confident and get inside his head. Haha I dunno what Durant’s thinking man. 

[JJeff6Participant]

 Definitley not the best, but definitely one of the best as of now.  You have guys like Amare and Dirk who (when healthy-amare) are on a different level than Z-bo.  Granted Zach Randolph is a beast on the boards but i dont think he is even as close to being offensively polished as dirk or amare.

[torontoraptors10Participant]

Maybe Durant just wants to say the right things to the media.

 

It’s better than saying, "Yeah he is maybe…. you know 4th-7th best PF in the league."

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

If by ‘strongest/best’ he means ‘best pure post scorer’, he may be right. I don’t think there’s a better post scorer in the game right now. That said, he’s a complete liability on the other end. But hey, that’s why you have Darrel Arthur and Marc Gasol, right? 

[NarcParticipant]

He’s definitely underrated, I’ll give Randolph that. I wouldn’t say he’s the best power forward in the league. Maybe about 5-6 guys better than him. Dirk, Kevin Love, Griffin, Alrdridge, Stoudemire, Pau Gasol….maybe some others.

[the27guyParticipant]

 Zach Randolph has arguably been the best player during these playoffs let alone power forward. 

[sheltwon3Participant]

He’s definitely underrated, I’ll give Randolph that. I wouldn’t say he’s the best power forward in the league. Maybe about 5-6 guys better than him. Dirk, Kevin Love, Griffin, Alrdridge, Stoudemire, Pau Gasol….maybe some others.

I am not knocking you Narc but if that is your list than Durant has a legit argument.

Dirk is the one of the two legit competition against Randolph being the best. Dirk can be body up and Randolph is younger and can give you about the same stuff as Dirk.  Dirk may be a little better on defense but considering he has never been a great defender that is not saying much. Dirk doesnt shoot the 3 like he use to and I am sure he can still make them but Randolph can make 3’s too but he does not take as many or needs to because more Power Forward work in the high post or low post.  3 point shooting is extra.

Amare is the other one.  Amare is the best power foward when healthy but he is not the physical player that Randolph is and they both are not great defenders.  Amare is more athletic, a better passer but other than that they are close.

Pau Gasol is talented but plays soft a lot of the time and I am a Lakers fan. Randolph would make Lakers a better team.

Griffin will probably be better than Randolph but currently he is not.  He still doesnt have a lot of Power Forward moves and relies more on athleticism than skill.  Randolph has deeper range and can consistently make shot inside and outside of 15 feet.

Love can out rebound Randolph on a losing team but that is about it.  I think if Randolph was on Minny they would be better.

Alridge is not consistent enough and he is not as imposing in the low post but he is nice and he does have range on jumper for a big man.

 

[NarcParticipant]

I see your point but one thing to note is this….Randolph is a very poor defender. Poor to the point where it looks as if he doesn’t care. I don’t think that he’s better than Pau, skill wise. Tougher by leaps and bounds, but Pau has the much more extensive skill set. Randolph is the quintessential "black hole", meaning he won’t pass if he gets the ball back after re-posting. Pau is an above average pass out of the post. And unlike Randoplh he can block shots. Love has more consistent long range shooting capabilities. Griffin and Alrdrige I can see your point. Bosh is another name you can add to that list. In fact, its a shame he is over shadowed by LeBron and Wade because he is a really complete PF when it gets right down to it.

[SteroidParticipant]

Dirk, Pau, Bosh, Griffin, Randolph are top 5 to me. Thinking Randolph is the best PF is being a prisoner of the moment. He’s definitely peaking at the right time, but I think you can put any of the guys I mentioned in there, and they could play just as well. I’m not saying they would peak like how Randolph is peaking at the same stage, but they have the potential to. Just because he’s peaking like this doesn’t make him the best PF.

[torukParticipant]

The best power forward of the league is 2-13 from the field right know. He is a great player and he really stepped up but dirk and amare remain the top to pf in the league.

[TeamShowtimeLakersParticipant]

he is playing as if he is the best power forward…hes on a rampage….but he is just one of the best. 

[ChrischiParticipant]

Where are Duncan and Garnett in your lists? Those two are still the best defenders with J.Smith on their position and their still pretty productive. You obv have to adjust their minutes to see their real productivness.

Memphis would be a stonger team if they would exchange Randolph with either of these two and lets not even talk about guys like Dirk, Pau, Amare, Bosh, LA and maybe even Griffin.

[NYK2010Participant]

Right now Zebo is definately the best PF in the league, he might have had a poor shooting game tonight but he made up for it by getting to the line.

Did u see what he did in Game 6 against the Spurs and Game 1 against OKC after very little rest.  All this and he’s averaging only 2 turnovers a game in the playoffs.

I’m a Knicks fan and its pretty obvious Amare isn’t the rebounder or post up player that Zebo is.

Dirk plays a different game then Zebo hard to compare.

Griffin will probably be the best PF in the league in a couple years but right now its Randolph.

Putting Bosh over Amare is a joke not sure what that guy is thinking.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@Narc

 

Are you talking about the Randolph of the last two seasons or the Randolph who played with the Blazers, Knicks and Clippers?

 

Randolph is no longer a black hole. He no longer cares solely about statistics and just getting his 20 and 10. He’s played winning basketball since being traded to Memphis. He should’ve been an All-Star this season. He’s moving the ball more and making the right passes. He’ll never be a great defender, but he’s committed to playing team defense and being in the right spot. He’s become a leader since being traded to Memphis.

 

Great hands/soft touch. Great feet. Strong as a bull and gets great low post positioning. Low post game. High post game. Extremely skilled. Can bang you or finesse you. 80+ % from the free-throw line. He’s clutch. Moving the ball more and making the right passes. Showing leadership ability. Showing more of a committment to team defense. He’s a great rebounder.

 

I’d rank him third only behind Nowitzki and Gasol right now.

 

[Ghost01Participant]

Honestly other than Dirk you cant even argue theres another power forward RIGHT NOW thats better than ZBo. Im just smh at some of you people acting like ZBo isnt dominating right now.

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