How do you feature a 7-foot-5 giant into an offense that is predicated on speed? That's the question the Memphis Grizzlies are asking right now. And after two preseason games, an answer hasn't exactly become clear.
The franchise took Zach Edey No. 9 overall in this year's NBA Draft. For a lottery pick (it doesn't matter how high), that player is likely going to be a focus of the team to some extent, much less someone like the Purdue product, who was put into conversations of the best offensive player in college basketball history .
While it is still early and far too premature to begin worrying, Memphis needs to come up with a productive blueprint for his towering rookie center — especially to clear the high bar that the NBA world has set for the franchise.
Acknowledging the Edey situation
There have been early signs of potency in Memphis. A particular play has stuck in fans' minds: Ja Morant lob to No. 14 for two points in a game that was later marred by the superstar point guard's untimely exit.
Zach is massive but supremely talented. Plodding but somehow nimble at the same time. A dominant interior player who is showing a growing desire to become an outside shooter. There is so much for the Grizzlies to hope for and watch for, but they need to figure out how to use the big man to produce the best results.
"We got to be better about that," said Desmond Bane, who recorded 17 points and three 3-pointers in Thursday night's contest. "He's doing a lot for us — rebounding, screening, and running the floor. If he's going to do that, we got to reward him with easy touches around the rim."
The uplifting aspect of this chemistry experiment is that Edey isn't a difficult player to put talent around. He may be monumental in size and someone who eats up a ton of room down low, but he can offer productivity in various areas on the court. While he'll call for the ball and methodically back his man down from time to time, he can be instant offense off a screen-and-roll into a lob or pop for a midrange shot.
Teammates are looking for Edey
His size and ability to run the floor are impressive and will only improve. And the other night, he put up three 3-pointers, even though he didn't convert any. However, the confidence to take them is encouraging nonetheless.
"I know my teammates are trying to look for me," Zach said. "I know they want to get me the ball. It's just a matter of figuring out the right spots."
Had Memphis not taken Edey in the draft, the 2024 season would have still been a chemistry experiment. The team is — barring an unforeseen setback following a minor knee injury — welcoming back Marcus Smart and is getting ready to see Morant, Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. play a consistent stretch of basketball for the first time since the 2022 season.
Things are bound to feel funky. And as a team that has been Ja-centric since 2019, it'll take some getting used to watching No. 12 fly up and down the court again as the main offensive initiator.
Edey, meanwhile, is too talented to fit out, and the Grizzlies' ravenous goal for revenge is perhaps too strong for them to be counted out.
Related: Survey of NBA GMs doubt Zach Edey becomes an impactful player
Local News
Comments / 0