Podcaster, NBA reporter say Zach Edey is not a good fit for Grizzlies: 'I don't see it'

Podcaster, NBA reporter say Zach Edey is not a good fit for Grizzlies: ‘I don’t see it’

Posted by Admin October 4, 2024 NBA

Most people at Memphis Grizzlies preseason training camp are oozing with excitement centered around rookie Zach Edey’s fit, but that is not the case for everyone nationally. The 7-foot-4 center has a growing list of doubters who are unsure of his NBA fit.

NBA podcast host Darth Amin recently had national basketball reporter Israel Guttierez on his Oddball podcast. Both shared why they are not confident in Edey’s ability to be a productive NBA center.

“I staunchly believe that Zach Edey is not going to work,” Amin said. “I don’t think his build, his athleticism and his game fit with the NBA game right now. Particularly a team like Memphis that wants to play up and down the court.”

Amin then asked Guttierez for his opinion.

“I don’t see it,” Guttierez said. “I even looked back at the stats for him in college. He didn’t take any threes in college. Like zero. I know you can evolve as a player, but you’re ready right away to start and compliment Ja Morant?”

Guttierez and Amin’s takes have been talking points in Grizzlies conversations when discussing Edey’s transition to the NBA. As Amin said, the Grizzlies like to get up and down the floor. Pace has been emphasized through preseason camp.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins recently spoke positively about how the 290-pound Edey is handling the pace of play.

“I’ve been really surprised at his ability to get up and down the floor on both sides,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins and several Grizzlies players have highlighted how impressive the rookie center has been. Ja Morant even declared that Edey “definitely” and “easily” should win NBA Rookie of the Year.

Yahoo Sports Analyst Krysten Peek made headlines in June when she called Edey “one of the worst picks in draft history.”

The wide range of opinions is centered around how different Edey is as a prospect. He doesn’t shoot many 3-pointers or handle the ball as much as several top center prospects. He college game had an old-school feel to it, but if you ask Edey, that wasn’t the entire repertoire.

“There’s a lot of things I can do that people don’t know about,” Edey said on Monday.

TRAINING CAMP TAKEAWAYS: Jake LaRavia among early Memphis Grizzlies training camp standouts, other observations

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.