The NBA has a new giant on the block, and his name is Zach Edey. But here's where it gets controversial: can a player of Edey's size and old-school skillset truly thrive in today's fast-paced, versatile NBA?
Let's dive into the data and see how this 'Big Maple' is making a massive difference for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Debate: Production vs. Translation
After back-to-back National Player of the Year campaigns, the Grizzlies took a chance on Edey in the lottery. The question wasn't about his ability to produce, but rather, would his unique skills translate to NBA success?
In an era defined by pace and space, would Edey's throwback game fit in?
Improvement and Impact
Despite injury setbacks, Edey's sophomore season has shown significant growth. His per-game averages have soared, with points and rebounds increasing, and his blocked shots have improved too. But it's not just the numbers; our data scouts have observed Edey's all-round improvement on both offense and defense.
On offense, Edey is taking more shots and converting them with better efficiency. Last year, he was shooting below expectations, but this season, he's turned it around, shooting at a positive rate.
And on defense? Well, that's where Edey really shines. Opponents are struggling to score against him, with a success rate of just 34% when he's the primary defender. That places him in the 84th percentile of all players, a massive improvement from last season's 34th percentile.
The Best Center in Memphis?
Without Edey, the Grizzlies have relied on Jaren Jackson Jr. as their starting center, with Jock Landale and Santi Aldama as backups. But this season, Edey has outperformed them all.
Within our SIS framework, Edey's Points Per Chance (PPC) ranks him in the 80th percentile, a clear indication of his offensive impact. Defensively, he holds a slight edge over Jackson as a post defender and shot blocker, and he's far ahead of Aldama and Landale in our defensive metrics.
The Real Question: Wins or Stats?
Edey's individual stats are impressive, but the true test is whether his presence on the court leads to victories.
The numbers don't lie: with Edey on the court, the Grizzlies' offensive rating improves, ranking them 16th in the league. But it's on defense where Edey makes his biggest impact. With him anchoring the interior, Memphis' defensive rating outperforms even the league-leading Thunder. When Edey sits, their defense takes a massive hit, dropping to 26th.
This season, the Grizzlies' net efficiency improves by a staggering 22.1 points per 100 possessions with Edey in the game!
Our data scouts have tagged and defined different advantage levels, and when it comes to creating and preventing high-value shots, Edey's impact is clear.
With Edey on the court, the Grizzlies create more big offensive advantages and prevent even more on defense.
And this is the part most people miss: Edey's impact goes beyond the stats. His presence on the court changes the dynamic, giving the Grizzlies a unique advantage that few teams can match.
While the sample size is small, with just 10 full games played, the Grizzlies' record speaks for itself. They're 7-3 in those games, and their defensive leap with Edey is a promising sign for their future.
So, is Zach Edey the key to the Grizzlies' playoff hopes? With his size, skill, and impact, it's hard to argue otherwise.
What do you think? Is Edey the missing piece for Memphis, or are there other factors at play? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
