Memphis Grizzlies: Where Does Zach Randolph Rank Among NBA Power Forwards?

Zach Randolph was a one-man wrecking machine in last year's NBA playoffs.  

Randolph led the Memphis Grizzlies past the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round, then took the Oklahoma City Thunder to the brink before losing in the seventh game.

So with his outstanding performance in the postseason spotlight, where does Zach Randolph currently rank among NBA power forwards?

Here is how I would rank them...

No. 10: Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Stats: 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 rebounds per game. 

Analysis: Smith is a stat sheet stuffer, and one of the top five athletes in the NBA.  He is still young, and I think he is eventually going to be a top-five power forward in the NBA.

Projection: I think Smith would be a devastating player on the right team.  If he ever learns to channel his inner Dennis Rodman, this guy could lead the league in rebounds and be the defensive player of the year every season. 

He is a freak athlete, but he needs to focus on his strengths and stop shooting three-pointers.

No. 9: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Stats: 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists

Analysis: He is one of my all-time favorite players, but is definitely on the decline.  He was the best defensive player in the NBA over a five-year period.  It's a shame most of that time was wasted playing for a hapless Minnesota franchise.

Projection: I think Garnett has one or two years left as a contributing player on a championship team.  He is no longer capable of carrying a team, but I think he can still be an important piece of the Celtics' championship puzzle.

No. 8: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.9 blocks

Analysis: One of the 10 best players in the history of the NBA.  He is on the downhill side of his career, and as a result, his minutes have been drastically limited.  However, Duncan is still a very effective player, and I have him one spot higher than Garnett based on the simple fact that Duncan still has more impact on the defensive end of the floor.

Projection: He is going to play for another year or two then retire.  He will be a surefire Hall of Famer, and he will always be remembered as a player with terrific fundamentals. 

No. 7: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Stats: 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists

Analysis: This guy is very underrated.  He averaged 24 & 11 as a go-to player in Toronto, and took a lesser role on a more talented team.  I would actually move him up the list, but Bosh is not a great rebounder.  I just don't see him being "tough enough" right now to lead a team to a championship.

Projection: As good as Wade and James are, the Heat need a power inside player to control the boards if they are going to win a championship.  If Bosh could assert himself and play that role, the Heat would cruise to a title, and Bosh would be a top-10 player in the NBA.

No. 6: Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

Stats: 25.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks

Analysis: This guy is a prolific scorer and a tremendous athlete.  In my opinion, if he were a better rebounder, he could easily be in the discussion as one of the top-five players in the league.  There aren't many players alive that can put it in the basket better than Amar'e.

Projection: I think he is right at his peak, and we have probably seen the best he has to offer already.  While his production might drop ever so slightly, I think he is a little older, a little smarter, and the Knicks roster should improve around him.  If he can evolve into a 20/10 guy who plays great defense, the Knicks might have a chance to do some damage in the East.

No. 5: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 20.2 points, 15.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists

Analysis: He is a throwback, a "stretch four" who can also get in there and rebound with the best of them.  Love is a really tough matchup, and I just love his motor.  I would rank him even higher, but the fact that he is putting up monster numbers on a really bad team hurts his case.

Projection: Love is going to be a perennial All-Star.  I think we will see his scoring increase slightly, and the rebounding is always going to be in that 14-16 per game range. 

MY BAD: I left LaMarcus Aldridge off my list

Stats: 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.2 steals

Analysis: How stupid do I look for leaving him off my first list.  Thanks guys for rightfully calling me out on that one.  Aldridge is a heckuva player, and he deserves major props for basically keeping Portland afloat while Greg Oden and Brandon Roy continue to not be healthy.

Prediction: I have Aldridge right between Love and Griffin because I think Aldridge is a top five power forward in the league, but I do think this is his ceiling.  I don't see him overtaking Griffin, ever, and I don't see him overtaking any of the other guys (Gasol, Randolph, and Dirk) while they still have some game left.

No. 4: Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

Stats: 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists.

Analysis: Probably the most fun player to watch on this list—from a highlight perspective.  He is a tremendous athlete, and he doesn't get enough credit for being a great rebounder.  Like Kevin Love, I have to knock him back a little bit for putting up monster numbers on a bad team.

Projection: He is going to be a top-five to 10 player in the NBA.  It's just a matter of time.

No. 3: Pau Gasol, LA Lakers

Stats: 18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks

Analysis: Look at those numbers he is putting up, and he plays alongside Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum.  In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated players in the league.  Simply put, he is not used properly.  If the Lakers would run more of their offense through him, he would be putting up elite numbers.

Projection: I think Mike Brown is a smart guy, and he knows Kobe is getting older.  Look for Brown to get the ball to Pau Gasol in places where he can do damage.  I think he is going to have a big year.

No. 2: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Stats: 20.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Analysis: Randolph is a beast.  He is the most unique player on this list.  He is a low-post banger who doesn't mind stepping away from the basket.  The rest of these power forwards are mostly "face up" guys who do a lot of damage from mid-range.  Because his game is so unique and his numbers are also very good, I think he is a slightly more valuable player.

Projection: I would have loved to see the Grizzlies get past the Thunder in Round 2 of the playoffs last year, if for no other reason than to watch Nowitzky try to guard Randolph.  Basketball is a game of matchups, and this is exactly the type of guy The German doesn't want to face.

No. 1: Dirk Nowitzky, Dallas Mavericks

Stats: 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists.

Analysis: There are three matchup nightmares in the NBA (Dirk, Durant, and 'Melo), and of those three guys, at least there are some athletic guys to try to cover the other two.  With Dirk, there is no answer for his game.  Put a little guy on him, he will post you up.  Put a bigger guy on him (like Pau Gasol), he will work him from the mid post, or just kill him in the pick-'n-pop game. 

Projection: Dirk has the big trophy right now, and I think he has a chance to win it again.  His championship window is closing, but he has another year or two to try to grab that second ring.