During their loss to the Houston Rockets, two generations of Memphis Grizzlies centers were able to test each other’s mettle. On Houston’s side was strongman Steven Adams, who the Grizzlies traded last season. On Memphis’ side was Zach Edey, who they selected ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Adams’ night ended better. Aside from coming away from the win, Edey fouled out with six points and seven rebounds in the fourth quarter. However, like many others, he came away impressed by the two-time AP Player of the Year.
“Really good potential,” Adams tells Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal. “Obviously, limitless. He’s just young. He has to learn this game of the NBA.”
Zach Edey’s ‘Limitless’ Potential Limited By Grizzlies
Edey is averaging 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 21.3 minutes per game this season, which is pretty fair for a rookie. Those numbers extrapolate to 16.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, highlighting the impact he could make if he was able to stay on the court longer. With the Purdue product shooting 58.2 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three though, it’s unfortunate that his usage rate (17.7 percent) is so low when he is on the court.
That he’s underutilized is underscored by the fact that he’s only had 17 opportunities to score in the pick-and-roll, fewer than Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, who’s 6-foot-4.
Edey’s more likely to score on a putback, as he’s done 51 times this season, representing 20.6 percent of his total attempts. He’s even likely to receive a pass off of cuts, of which he’s had 54 possessions, another 21.9 percent of his attempts. He’s recorded just 49 total post-ups this season, which comprise 19.8 percent of his field goal attempts. However, the big man’s cuts are tied with 6-foot-4 wing Josh Hart and his post-ups are tied with 6-foot-7 wing OG Anunoby.
Not At Purdue Anymore
Spearheaded by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies have several weapons. When players like GG Jackson II return from their injuries, there will be even more mouths to feed. On top of that, though Edey’s an effective low-post scorer, he could be more crafty. He has nimble footwork and a soft touch, but he’s a bit predictable. He demonstrates an ability to shoot away from the basket, but can be more comfortable in that area.
That growth could come in the offseason, working with teammates like Jackson Jr. or his highly-skilled opponents. A summer with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic could do wonders for his development. Rockets center Alperen Sengun could also teach him a few moves despite his youth.
The problem is that no matter what Edey does, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins may not reward it. Again, Memphis has multiple players who know how to put the ball in the basket. Like most teams, they also run an offensive system that de-emphasizes low-post scoring, though it’s a staple of his game. Simply put, he’s not in West Lafayette anymore.
Defense Matters
Edey may not get to put on a show like he did at Purdue. However, he’s still one of the league’s better defenders. While he doesn’t have an eye-popping block average, he controls the paint by patrolling it. At 7-foot-4, he’s an imposing center whose mere presence can deter players from attempting shots around the rim.
That and the ease with which he scores in the paint are why the Grizzlies are +9.1 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court. That’s particularly impressive considering that he needs to refine his technique at both ends. As he continues to adjust to the speed of the game, which is common for centers, the sky is the proverbial limit.
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