Aldridge: 'Can't fall' for crafty Z-Bo's tricks

MORE MATURE RANDOLPH ON BLAZER STAR'S SHORT LIST OF ELITE POWER FORWARDS

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  LaMarcus Aldridge was in good spirits as he met with members of the media Tuesday at FedEx Forum. One of the major topics was his relationship with his counterpart at power forward for Memphis, Zach Randolph.

Aldridge was a gangly rookie and Randolph the leading scorer (23.6) and rebounder (10.1) during the 2006-07 season for coach Nate McMillan's Portland team that went 32-50.

Both are NBA All-Stars now, and they've waged some epic, physical, bruising battles over the past few seasons.

In Sunday's opener of their first-round playoff series, Aldridge needed a career-high 34 shots to score 32 points. Neither player shot well -- Aldridge was 13 for 34, Randolph 6 for 19 -- and the latter was on the winning side of a 100-86 decision.

Aldridge and Randolph spent the 2006-07 season going against each other in practice, Randolph as Portland's most talented player, Aldridge as a budding talent who averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while earning first-team all-rookie honors.

Randolph was traded to New York after the season, clearing the way for Aldridge to assume a starting role the next season.

While Aldridge acknowledges Randolph helped him learn the tricks of the NBA trade, he feels he was of benefit to Randolph, too. Aldridge says he motivated Randolph to get into better shape after beating him in line drills during training camp.

"He's in much better shape today than he was then," Aldridge said. "And he changed his diet -- doesn't eat as much pork, as much fat."

The 6-11 Aldridge has two inches in height, several inches in wingspan and more jumping ability than Randolph, who counters with savvy and strength, using his hands and body to full advantage.

"I know Z-Bo," Aldridge said. When they square off, "I know it's going to be physical. I know it's going to be draining. I know every moment he plays for that chance that he's going to duck in on you. Any moment you're not ready, he's going to attack you.

"It's like a chess game out there. I know he's going to come at me sometimes, and I pick my spots to go at him. I'm going to crash the boards on him, make him work. Most bigs don't crash the boards on him, because he's always doing it. I try to go back at him on the offensive boards to make him work, too.

"It's just a hard-fought game with him. He doesn't get off the floor, but he's learned how to tip it in while he's on the floor. He has mastered being around the basket. That's why he's been so good in this league."

Aldridge laughed when asked about what appears to be some friendly trash talk between the two.

"He's really slick at talking you up," Aldridge said. "It's not like trickery. We've been so close he'll talk to you, and you'll start relaxing, and he'll duck in on you and score. And you'll be like, 'I ain't falling for that.' He'll say, 'Hey, I was in Portland last summer, man, it was nice outside.' Then he ducks in on you, and it's like, 'I fell for it; my bad.' He's crafty out there, very crafty.

"I know I can't fall for it. I'm not good at having great conversation and then being a killer. I'm either playing or talking. He can do both, which is valuable."

Randolph at 33 in Memphis is a far cry from the wild child Randolph was at 25 in Portland.

"He has changed tenfold," Aldridge said. "He's just different now. I knew him when he was a young Z-Bo. Now he's more mature. He's married now. He's loving all the fans. He embraces being that guy for them here.

"You can just see him love winning. In Portland, it was more about stats, because he was younger. Now that he's older, it's more about winning. (In Game 1), he went the first five or six minutes with one shot. The old Z-Bo would have been cursing people out, throwing headbands in the stands. The new Z-Bo, as long as they're winning, he's good. That's been great for their team, because he's changed so much."

Aldridge has long held Randolph on the short list of the power forwards whom he most respected and enjoyed facing.

"If it's (Kevin Garnett) in his prime, (the list) goes KG, Tim (Duncan), Dirk (Nowitzki) and Z-Bo," Aldridge said. "KG's out now, so it goes Tim, Dirk and Z-Bo."

They're all going to be out of the league soon enough, a reporter suggested.

"Yeah, so it's my turn, right?" Aldridge said, smiling. "To be the best, you have to play the best. It's like if I play well against the best, it puts me on a better level. I've always liked going against those guys and the tougher matchups."

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