Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Who Has the Edge?
By Mike Dill
May 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) shoots a free throw in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at AT
Power Forward
Warriors: David Lee, Marreese Speights, Draymond Green
Grizzlies: Zach Randolph, Ed Davis, John Leuer
Zach Randolph and David Lee are both great power forwards with varied offensive games. Stopping either player takes a lot of energy and skill, but sometimes that isn’t even enough. Lee and Randolph are also both phenomenal rebounders; it’s surprising when either player finishes a game with under 10 boards.
The problem for David Lee has always been defense. He can score with either hand, but neither of his hands can seem to keep the opposition in check.
Randolph isn’t known for being a world-class defender, either. The difference between the two seems to be hustle. David Lee can just be a lazy defender. He tends to focus so much on getting position for rebounds that he fails to defend the actual shots. This lazy trend has made its way to other parts of his game as well (setting picks, for example).
Randolph, on the other hand, uses his hustle to rebound and defend. He makes sure he is in position to get the rebound, but he isn’t afraid to get in the way of an opposing player. Randolph is not afraid of contact and will bang with the best of them down low. Randolph might not be the most gifted defender, but he does have a defensive mentality. David Lee, who shies away from contact, does not.