Zach Edey proved to be an injustice as an NBA rookie

Before Zach Edey ever joined an NBA dish, critics were that he could fail. The doubt that followed the 7-foot 4 center from Purdue to Memphis was thicker than the vapors that were raised from smoke machines during the introduction before the game.

The criticism ranged from Edey's perceived one-dimensional game to his inability to play at an NBA pace. Although he was a two -time international of the year in college, there was a conviction that a player with Edey's skills in today's game was not a place.

A critic was particularly exuberant with her opinion when the Grizzlies Edey chose with the No. 9 selection in the NBA design of 2025.

“This is one of the (shocking) selection that I have ever seen in the NBA design, especially in the top 10,” said Krysten Peek von Yahoo sport. “This is a terrible choice, I give it a 'C' note. We will see if I am lying wrong. If I am wrong, I would be happy to take the (loss). This is one of the worst selection in the history of the design history.”

Go ahead and take a balance sheet in the 'L' column.

On Saturday, Edeys Rookie season ended in the NBA when Memphis in game 4 of the NBA playoffs let a decision from 117-115 on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The grizzlies were swept – an ugly end of a successful year for the former boiler maker.

Yes, I use the word “successful”. So I would define Edeys Rookie Year in the league. How else would you describe it?

Edey ended his first NBA year with an average of 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the regular season. This statistical line is not too shabby for the “worst choice in the history of the NBA design”.

He had some strong performances in the course of his rookie campaign, but Edey really went for a coaching change that Taylor Jenkins fired and placed the intermediate brand on Tuomas Iisalo.

Memphis played 15 games after the exchange, nine regular seasonal competitions, two more in the NBA play-in tournament and four games in the first round of playoffs. In this route, Edey scored 9.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. The 7-foot 4 center recorded five double double in the last 15 games. In the Play-in tournament, he made 39 points and 28 rebounds in the Golden State Warriors (Loss) and Dallas Mavericks (Win).

However, the biggest compliment for Edey's game came from Memphi's teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., after the grizzlies defeated the Mavericks in the second game of the Play-in tournament to win number 8 in the playoffs.

“He is doing it for us and he is a newcomer. We can no longer ask anything about him,” said Jackson. “We ask a lot of him every evening. He knows that. We can probably get annoying, but we appreciate how he deals with Grace with it, and he is really humble. I mean if I was a two -time player of the year who comes to a team, I would probably not say something … but he doesn't.”

The most difficult part of the transition from College basketball to the NBA is the respect of your new teammates. EDEY seemed to pass this test with flying colors.

In a game against the jazz of Utah in January, Edey took over an “executor” role for the grizzlies and came after an extension with keyonte George to help from JA Morant.

“It was a screen and it somehow attacked me,” said Morant after the game. “Then Zach came over and likes it? ' I am like 'no, brother.' Then the first technical, so I think, Zach thought I would lie and he became the executor he is for this team.

“Call my big guy. I have this technology for him, so he doesn't have to worry that it comes out of his pocket.”

If you talk about Edeys Rookie season, the word “successfully” should not be confused for “flawless”. Without question, there are still some areas in which the center can improve.

Edey's weakness in the defense of a small line-up was fully equipped with Memphis' loss against Golden State in the NBA-Play-in tournament. For a large part of the game, the Warriors' ball movement took the rookie out of the position or brought it into disproportion situations. He was unable to follow the shooters behind the three -point line and was crawled at the defensive end of the floor.

There was a handful of nights offensive when Edey had not completed any shots on the edge. He still converted at a speed of 58% and ended only 19 games with a lower shooting clip than 50%. Minimizing these errors will probably also be a main focus in this low season.

If there is a fluorescent dye in their highliche, Edey's critics mark the last two paragraphs as reasons for persistent doubts about his game. For the rest of us, it feels terribly matt for a rookie that has almost a double double in the NBA.

Whether you want to admit it or not, Edey's first season with the grizzlies was a success. It was not perfect and wasn't flawless either. There are many areas to grow even for a 7-foot 4 center.

But the thought that he can't play in the NBA? Hopefully all this smoke has evaporated.

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