There are player rivalries in the NBA that form out of playing styles or being the best at a particular position. However, there are also those that breed naturally.
Zach Randolph’s rivalry with Blake Griffin may not always be in the spotlight when we talk about famous NBA player showdowns, but it stands out for those who saw it.
The rivalry
The gritty, bruising style of play that defined Randolph’s career made him a unique force in the league, especially during his years with the Memphis Grizzlies.
From a tumultuous stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, where his toughness was often overshadowed by his team’s internal struggles, it was in Memphis where “Z-Bo” truly became a household name, thanks to his relentless play and his leadership on the floor.
However, his biggest rival during his time with the Grizzlies came in the form of Blake Griffin, a rising star for the Los Angeles Clippers.
During the 2010s, when the Grizzlies and the Clippers were frequent playoff contenders, the games between these two teams were always a contest. And at the center of this rivalry was the battle between Randolph and Griffin.