Zach Randolph: ‘There Are Expectations Now’


The season has come to an end for ZBo and the Memphis Grizzlies, but from now on, no one will make the error of overlooking their squad. From the Commercial Appeal: “We hurt,’ Griz forward Zach Randolph said, ‘but we just have to build on this and understand that we can play with anybody.’ Indeed … ‘I’m very proud of my team and our organization,’ Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. ‘I am proud of where we have come from, where we are now and where we are trying to go in the future. Even as disappointing and hard as this loss is, we had a heck of a run and we are looking forward to next year.’ … ‘It’s tough to end our season like this,’ Griz reserve forward Darrell Arthur said. ‘But who would have thought Memphis would be one game away from the West finals?’ Griz guard Tony Allen proclaimed the disappointment to be a stepping stone. ‘I mean, look at the Oklahoma City Thunder,’ Allen said. ‘Last year they lost to the champs (Los Angeles Lakers) and now they’re playing for the Western Conference Finals. We can just use them as an example as we move forward next year.’ And what is there not to believe given this postseason run? The Griz had never even won a playoff game in 12 tries before this year. ‘There are expectations now,’ Randolph said. ‘People are going to expect us to be better. People will look at us as one of the top teams.'”