Memphis Grizzlies general manager hearts Chris Wallace. “Since Zach Randolph joined this organization, he has been an active member of the Memphis community and embraced our core values of hard work and leadership. These qualities helped him develop into an NBA All-Star this season and guided one of the NBA’s youngest teams to a 16-game improvement.” In other words, Randolph is a vital part of Wallace’s meal ticket. So much so, that the coach is willing to go to bat for a player who is in nothing but trouble, with a rap sheet as long as a three-pointer. lex18.com reports that police seized Wallace’s Cadillac Escalade and discovered hidden compartments filled with drugs and ammo. The po-po then filed a probable cause affidavit to search Wallace’s house; a document that identified Randolph as a “financier” to drug dealers. As in supplying them with marijuana, vehicles and a house. That led to lock-up with more drugs. No surprise there: “Randolph’s history with the law dates back to 1999 when he was suspended for his entire junior year by Marion, Indiana High School after selling a stolen gun.” More?
After being selected as the 19th overall draft pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Draft straight out of Marion in 2001, Randolph was cited for underage drinking in 2002.
The Blazers suspended Randolph for two games and fined him $100,000 in 2003 after he punched teammate Ruben Patterson in the face during practice, fracturing Patterson’s eye socket.
A second DUI came in December of 2003 when Randolph was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants after police smelled marijuana in his car.
Criminal charges in August of 2004 were filed after Randolph allegedly lied to investigators after his brother shot three men at a nightclub. Those were subsequently dropped, but Randolph’s brother was sentenced to three years in prison.
In June of 2006, Randolph was cited for street racing with friends in downtown Portland. Two months later, he was charged with sexual assault, although that case was also eventually dropped.
Randolph was then faced a civil suit from a man who claimed he and teammate Qyntel Woods harassed and assaulted him in retaliation for dogfighting allegations against Woods.
In March of 2007, Randolph was granted bereavement leave by Portland after the shooting death of his girlfriend’s cousin, and spent the night at a strip club. That would have probably gone unnoticed but Zach had the good sense to leave without paying his tab.
And less than two months ago, Randolph was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, a charge later reduced to one count of reckless driving.
The local paper is [almost] calling for the NBA and The Grizzlies to cancel Randolph’s ticket. Meanwhile, send lawyers, guns and money? Just the lawyers and cash, methinks.
