When you’re just 19 years old and achieve the dream of playing in the NBA alongside great veterans, what else can you ask for? Well, Zach Randolph found out the hard way when he was teammates with Steve Kerr, Rasheed Wallace, and Scottie Pippen. So it is obvious that the rookie was curious, wanting to know everything about the legends including Michael Jordan.

The 2x NBA All-Star shared stories about his time with the Portland Trail Blazers on Podcast P with Paul George. Among his few instances, Randolph explained how Kerr would most often be found reading, elevating his mind further. The now-Warriors coach would also go on to share the knowledge with the youngsters. This prompted Z-Bo to ask questions about everything and everyone – now leading George to ask ‘what kind of stories were shared about Michael Jordan.’

“Man I ask him all the time, I ask him so many questions…” Randolph said, reminiscing his questions about Jordan’s work ethic and what made him the best. Kerr replied, “What separates Jordan is the things that he do, you know the time he put in his attitude. He is hard on everybody. He demands from everybody like he sets the bar…” However, it was numerous questions more that followed, including the most trivial ones, that Steve Kerr grew tired of.

“I think Steve probably got tired, because I was asking questions all the time. Just asking about Jordan… the type of things he used to do, what kind of cars did he drive,” the former forward admits. For an answer now, the NBA icon reportedly owns 12 cars, including the fastest and possibly the most expensive convertible as a more recent addition. Back during his NBA days, it was the Chevrolet Corvette C4, Porsche 930 Flat Nose, and Ferrari 512TR among others. In the company of greatness, the 18-year-old veteran was definitely mesmerized when he first saw his teammates.

Randolph got awe-struck

“It was like WOW. I can’t believe I’m next to Steve Kerr and Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace.” Randolph spoke to Danny Green x Inside the Green Room podcast on January 2023.“Going all the way out to Portland, I’ve never been that far away from home. Just being around them guys was like awe, and I soaked it in. I learned everything like a soldier, what you need me to do, and soak it in and try to learn.”

Scottie Pippen also gave him advice to hit the weight room so he would be better prepared. But there is one story about Pippen that he never forgot. Randolph recalled one time he saw the former Bulls legend pull up in a Ferrari and he had never seen it before. Yet there was another thing that caught his attention. It was Pippen’s knees touching the steering wheel.

A young Zach Randolph turned his dream into a reality and lived it alongside the great Steve Kerr, Rasheed Wallace, and Scottie Pippen. His rookie-year experiences helped him to carve his legacy after a 17-year-long NBA career; even to include a car collection of 1972 Chevrolet Impala and Jeep Wrangler among others- worthy of curiosity.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.