Is Zach Randolph the postseason MVP?
As they won game one in convincing fashion over Oklahoma City, Memphis remains the most impressive player in the 2011 playoffs so far. The Western Conference's No. 8-seeded Grizzlies took down the top-seeded Spurs in six with the newly-extended Randolph averaging 21.5 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in the series. And then, the power forward simply abused the interior-defense of Kendrick Perkins in the first game of the Conference Semifinals on Monday- scoring a playoff career-high 34 points on 12-of-22 shooting and a perfect 9-of-9 from the foul line. His performances have been so impressive that Thunder swingman, Kevin Durant, coined Randolph as the best power forward in the league; the Grizzlies won three of four against the Thunder during the regular-season behind Randolph's 26.5 points and 13 rebounds series averages.
Expect Serge Ibaka to try and put the clamps down on him in game two with guards dropping down to double Randolph early and often to try and slow him.
By Steven Spector - 5-3-11
