Zach Edey had an impressive college career, earning two National Player of the Year awards and catching the eye of NBA scouts.
Mixed Reactions in the NBA
Some teams saw Zach Edey as a top pick, while others weren’t so sure. The Memphis Grizzlies picked him ninth, but his preseason games have kept people talking. Some fans see him as a future star like Yao Ming or Shaquille O’Neal, but he’s shown some weaknesses too. He could be amazing or just another player on the bench.
The Good
Edey’s skills in the post are impressive. He’s got great footwork and can score with both hands, even against tough opponents like Myles Turner from the Pacers. Most defenders can’t handle him one-on-one because he’s so good at finding space near the basket for passes from teammates.
Zach Edey up to 21 points after the slick dish from Jake LaRavia ๐ค
MEM-IND | #NBAPreseason | NBA League Pass
๐ฒ— NBA (@NBA)
Fans really hope he becomes a big star this season!
No. 9 pick Zach Edey dominated in the Grizzlies' #NBAPreseason win ๐ช๐ค
23 PTS (10-15 FGM)
9 REB
19 MIN— NBA (@NBA)
Strengths on Defense
On defense, Edey’s size is his biggest advantage. His long arms help him grab rebounds easily and block shots regularly. Even when he doesn’t block a shot, his presence makes players think twice about driving to the hoop.
The Bad
However, Edey’s fitness is worrying. He often lags behind in games because he gets tired quickly. The Grizzlies play fast-paced basketball, but it’s hard to see how he’ll keep up with their speed if he doesn’t improve his stamina.
Another issue is that Edey rarely sets screens for his teammates during plays, which limits their offensive options. For someone like Ja Morant who thrives on pick-and-rolls, this could be a problem unless Edey improves in this area.
Concerns also remain about Edey’s ability to defend around the three-point line due to slow lateral movements. Teams might exploit this weakness during crucial moments like playoffs by targeting him constantly.
Let’s hope Zach can adapt and overcome these challenges!