Even the greatest NBA players need their teammates to shine. Take Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or LeBron James—each has had key contributors like Scottie Pippen, James Worthy, and Kyrie Irving who played pivotal roles in their successes. Similarly, former NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace recently recounted a moment when he and some veteran Portland Trail Blazers teammates taught Zach Randolph a crucial lesson in humility.

In a recent episode of the Sheed & Tyler podcast, Sheed, who spent 16 seasons in the NBA and won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, shared a story about the young Randolph during his breakout 2003-2004 season in Portland Trail Blazers. “He was on top of the world, thought he was killing it. But then he got smart with the vets for, like, one or two days in practice,” Wallace recalled. “He got smart with me, Bonzi, and Damon… we all still loved him. It wasn’t like he was doing something wrong or really fu***d up. So, we just had to teach him a lesson.”

Randolph had come off as an NCAA Final Four as a freshman and if Wallace remembers correctly, was only in his second season or so with the team when the instance transpired. The first season wasn’t very fruitful for the young talent but he picked up a little in 2002-03 to even set a single-game rebound record twice. But he only averaged 20 points in 2003-04 where he would go on to win the ‘Most Improved Player.’

While that would justify some pride, Wallace wouldn’t let some boasting during practice sessions, prior, just slide.

As Randolph’s confidence soared, he began boasting during practice about his growing dominance in the league. Wallace wasn’t about to let that slide. “I’m like, ‘Dog, you’re killing them because they’re doubling me. And with them doubling me, I’m playing basketball. I’m hitting you for the wide-open layup, for the wide-open elbow jump shot,’” Wallace explained. Randolph dismissed it, and that’s when the real lesson began.

Seeing that Randolph wasn’t convinced, Wallace and the other veterans decided to test him. They made sure Randolph got the ball every time down the floor, hoping to show him how tough it could be without their help. “It took about three, four, or five games for that to happen. Every time my number was called, no—we going to him, so he can see, he can learn,” Wallace revealed in the podcast.

Eventually, the lesson worked. Over time, Wallace and Randolph became friends on and off the court. In 2017, when Randolph faced legal trouble, Wallace publicly defended him. 

Zach Randolph recalls his first years playing alongside Sheed

Back in early 2023, Zach Randolph sat down on the Inside the Green Room podcast and reflected on his early NBA years. Fresh out of Michigan State, he found himself surrounded by legends like Scottie Pippen and Rasheed Wallace. “It was like WOW. I can’t believe I’m next to Steve Kerr and Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace. 19-year-old kid. I never left my neighborhood,” Randolph recalled.

Moving to Portland was a huge adjustment for Randolph, who had never been that far from home. Despite the awe of being around such big names, he knew the importance of learning from the veterans. He took everything in like a sponge, ready to do whatever was needed.

Randolph spent much of his first few seasons going up against the likes of Pippen and Wallace in practice. And while he wasn’t getting a lot of playing time in games, he credits those practices for his development. “That’s why I tell the players—you get better in practice,” Randolph shared, emphasizing how vital those sessions were to his success.

And the results spoke for themselves. Over his career, Randolph became known for his consistency, racking up over 400 double-doubles.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.