The Memphis Grizzlies split their first two games of the season 1-1 as they’ve certainly shown flashes of being a playoff team with Ja Morant healthy. One player who could help the team earn their way into the postseason is rookie center Zach Edey.
The development of the 7-foot-4 center could certainly impact the trajectory of the team’s season. He’s an incredible anchor in the paint, given his size, though he doesn’t have great foot speed and his ability to space the floor was a concern
Not to mention, in his debut, Edey fouled out in just 15 minutes of action. He had a much improved second outing against the Houston Rockets, though it came in a blowout loss.
On Saturday, in the first half of the Grizzlies taking on the Orlando Magic, Edey flashed a new potential aspect of his game, nailing a corner triple. The official NBA account posted the center’s 3-pointer, with the video going viral and garnering over 50,000 views in under 30 minutes.
The Memphis Grizzles were impressive in their season opener, though Zach Edey’s debut in the NBA didn’t go quite as he might have expected. The flashes were there, but he fouled out and played a low amount of minutes.
Edey’s second contest was solid, though it came in a Grizzlies blowout loss to the Houston Rockets.
In his third game, Edey is getting his footing at the NBA level, as the former Purdue superstar was an incredibly intruiging prospect during the draft cycle. He’s got incredible size, but his foot speed was certainly a concern, as was his inability to adequately space the floor.
During the team’s contest against the Orlando Magic in their third game, Edey nailed his first career 3-pointer to extend the team’s lead to 50-31. The 7-foot-4 center being able to knock down a shot from the perimeter, even on a few occasions, would be immensely valuable to the team and significantly improve the impact he can make.
Need a 7’4″ big to knock down a three?
Zach Edey is your guy! 😆
ORL-MEM | NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/LyhnXmUVbO pic.twitter.com/PH7jW28pKx— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2024
The shot went viral, as it was unexpected for Edey to come in and nail his first 3-pointer early in the season. However, it’s not completely shocking, as his elite touch allowed him to thrive in the paint at the collegiate level.
Shooting 3-pointers wasn’t a necessity for Edey during his collegiate career, as Purdue ran their offense through the center — a method that still works at that level of basketball.
At hafltime, Edey has just five points, shooting 2-of-3 from the field, in his eight minutes played.
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Need a 7’4″ big to knock down a three?
Zach Edey is your guy! 😆
ORL-MEM | NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/LyhnXmUVbO pic.twitter.com/PH7jW28pKx— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2024
Of course, a 7-foot-4 center primarily known for his play in the paint nailing a 3-pointer has drawn a strong reaction.
Via @7saile_: “edey is gonna be one of the best bigs in a few years”
edey is gonna be one of the best bigs in a few years
— Elias (@7saile_) October 27, 2024
Via @parlay_pj: “Teams won’t know how to deal with that.”
Teams won’t know how to deal with that.
— Preston Jarneski (@parlay_pj) October 27, 2024
Via @EcHoToNe: “edey been workin on shootin the rock, nice. A whole different thing for him.”
edey been workin on shootin the rock, nice. A whole different thing for him.
— Echo tone Music (@EcHoToNe) October 27, 2024
Edey’s triple extended the Grizzlies’ lead to 50-31 as they’re routing the Magic in a big bounce-back game following their loss to the Rockets. Early in the third quarter, the team nearly holds a 30-point lead over the Magic, as they seem to be on their way to a 2-1 record.
