A Paean to Zou

The phrase “unsung hero” is overused and has a cheesy gloss to it. The reason some players are “unsung” is that sports commentators suffer from monomania when looking at a game. They salivate over the superstars and overlook the “role players”. It’s a disservice to the game, a mere marketing tool.

Many commentators would apply the label of “unsung hero” to Brian Zoubek, our bearded gladiator who stands 7’1. In his first couple years on the team, Zouby often gave the impression that he wore two buckets of cement for shoes. Here was another underwhelming white stiff, a player who could contribute by taking up space rather than using it deftly. It was especially difficult for Zoubek because, after the departure of Shelden Williams in 2006, Duke has not had much talent in the frontcourt. Our guards have been a lot easier to watch and rarely have we turned to someone of Zoubek’s dimensions. Coach K has preferred “small ball”, which has been effective, to a point. When Zoubek stepped into the rotation, our fans had high hopes for an interior force. There is nothing more emasculating than watching your team give up offensive rebound after offensive rebound. Assert yourself inside, protect the house, and let’s get back to raining 3’s.

Zoubek has also been haunted by injuries, spending two summers on crutches. Some fans did not rue his time out and wrote him off. Others jeered when he entered the game. But the man knew how to set a screen, and he knew how to take a charge. That Zoubek was keenly aware of his limitations allowed him to economize his time on the floor.

Zoubek always had the “Zou” cheer, the one that fans do with players’ names that sound like “boo”. Amid his struggles, it was often a shout of pity rather than one of appreciation. But the Zou-ing grew more frequent (and genuine) the last two months of this season, just when we needed to gel for a run at the title. Zoubek turned out to be a crucial anchor inside for a team of potent three-point shooters. He learned that leaping ability is often irrelevant when you’re starting six inches above your opponent. He was also more rousing in the huddle than his teammates. (Greg Paulus and Lance Thomas were bobble heads, while Zoubek knew how to galvanize with bear hugs and terrifying clenches of the jaw.) He could serve as a thoroughfare for our offense and a defibrillator on the boards. In short, Zoubek was the missing piece from ’04, the big man who was able to navigate foul trouble and haul down that last rebound to bring the title back to Durham.

The press conference after the title game was a fitting coda to Zoubek’s career. Reporters, in effect, asked Zou if he was just as incredulous as they were about his success. A “who would’ve thought?” consensus permeated the room. Coach K snarled at one reporter who described Zoubek as having an “up and down” career. But the media was right. The only one who could’ve possibly known about the redemption of Brian Zoubek in advance was the man himself. He defied us all.