How might Zach Edey compare to Shawn Bradley as he matures?

[Laimbeer]

Similar skill set?

[Colbinii]

I prefer a larger Zubac, which is a tremendous player.

[penbeast0]

Or a quicker Gheorghe Muresan. Bradley was a skinny guy who could be pushed around and never developed much of an offensive game. IT looks like Edey, at the very worst, is a Muresan level scorer (or Enes Kanter for those who didn't follow the Bullets/Wizards), and possibly much more. Bradley, on the other hand, was an impactful defender which is where we wonder about Edey.

[homecourtloss]

Similar skill set?

He’s not as good defensively as Bradley was one of the best defensive players who has ever played, and I don’t think there’s any reasonable way for him to get to that level. He is a much better often to play, though, and I think we will see him extend out his range to him can become a viable threat from three-point.

[B-Mitch 30]

Bradley is considered one of the best defensive players ever? I thought he was mostly thought of as good for shot blocking and little else.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

Bradley is considered one of the best defensive players ever? I thought he was mostly thought of as good for shot blocking and little else.

Not sur eyou cmq say "on of the best defensive players ever", but his shotblocking was actually very dominant, I particular in the era he played.

[Owly]

Bradley is considered one of the best defensive players ever? I thought he was mostly thought of as good for shot blocking and little else.

Language is loose enough that it's fuzzy.

But whilst he took a lot of heat as "bust" because of where he was drafted and because he never became a scorer and in Dallas the minutes were limited ... in the regular season at least (small playoff sample is less complementary) he has a pretty good impact profile driven by very strong defensive impact.

This is primarily off later, longer term databall numbers like long term RAPM and the on/off stuff from that era. But even in his rookie year his absence gave suggestion of a not insignificant net impact, via a substantial defensive impact.

I probably wouldn't say "one of the best defensive players ever" because for me that evokes only a handful of players and then you're probably thinking of guys who played more and were elite defenders ... say, Russell, Thurmond, Robinson et al. But for instance for the Googlesites 97-14 RAPM he ranks 4th in DRAPM among consequential minute players behind Mutombo, Robinson and Jason Collins (5th overall, small sample Stanley Roberts also above) immediately above Duncan, Garnett and Bo Outlaw. We don't know for '96 due to his trade but '94 and '95 on-off are strong too. So whilst I wouldn't use that phrasing myself, I understand its use and wouldn't necessarily particularly think it "wrong".


In line with others, on the little I've seen Edey seems heavier and more offensively skilled (Bradley rarely shot for a good percentage, occasionally later in his career off a smaller sample, when he had more polished jump shot). (Young) Bradley was skinny, lithe, agile and a defensive monster. So far as I can tell the comps would maybe be heavier guys ... pituitary giants like Muresan or Boban or other bigger, more offensive tilted guys such as Smits or Yao. Not saying these are perfect or the exact correct level ... I've not seen enough of Edey nor rewatched tape or anything ... but Bradley was a great defender and poor offensive player. Edey ... significant uncertainty at the pro level I believe but even at college the things I recall him doing in videos is providing a large catch radius with a body adjacent to the basket and getting dunks or good looks. He seemed more an offense guy (as, to pick a modern-ish player, Boban was) than a scary defender and that might get even more so at the next level.

But I don't know too much about Edey. Maybe he's more mobile, better laterally than my impression of him. But the defensive side seemed like the concern.

[kcktiny]

Bradley is considered one of the best defensive players ever? I thought he was mostly thought of as good for shot blocking and little else.

Rick Barry and Jordan Cohen put out an annual paperback book called the Pro Basketball Scouting Report/Bible in the late 80s to mid 90s. The last 3 years of the book covered the 1993-94 to 1995-96 NBA seasons, which were Bradley's first 3 seasons in the league.

They rated players in the league defensively on a scale of AAA, AA, A, B, C, D (best to worst). Each year the all-defensive team members routinely got an AAA rating. In 2 of the 3 years they rated Bradley as AAA, the other as AA. They'd mention stats like when he played 30+ minutes the 76ers allowed a 43% FG%, but a 51% FG% when he played less than 30 minutes.

FYI in college Bradley was a much better shot blocker that Edey was, 5.2 bs/g versus 1.7 bs/g. Edey was the much better rebounder/scorer.

[FrodoBaggins]

An odd player to compare to Edey IMO. Think of Zach as a bigger, stronger, more bully-ball oriented Zubac/Valancuinas. Doesn't have the paint-extended floater game of Ivica or the face-up ability of Jonas but he plays more physically, getting deeper position more frequently, drawing more fouls, and rebounding his own misses more often. At 7'5" in shoes, 300 pounds, and a nearly 9'8" standing reach and 7'11" wingspan, he's going to be a productive NBA player - on both ends of the court.

Should shoot 75-80% FG at the rim from day one, have a very high free-throw rate, and be 70-75% at the free-throw line. Will block more shots than he showed in college due to a lesser offensive role and an extra foul to use. His highest block rate was during his freshman year when his role was smallest. He also displayed 2.3 blocks per game in 23 minutes (3.5 per 36) at the u19 FIBA World Cup. 4 or 5 blocks in his first Summer League outing by my count. Looked good on defense. Moved well. Noticeably aggressive contesting shots.

I think he'll perform the Steven Adams role well, providing similar levels of rebounding and screening production. But I think scoring (particularly finishing in the paint/at the rim, free-throw shooting, and post-up play), shot-blocking, rim protection, and general paint deterrence is where he'll potentially do more than Steve.

Should be good for 12-14 points and 10-12 rebounds if given 25+ minutes per game. When you're that big, athletic, and skilled at scoring inside, a lot of plays will end up with the ball in his hands, finishing close to the rim. Doesn't matter if he's not a "primary" offensive option. Have to pass it to him if he's got a mismatch pinned under the basket. And the average 6'11", 240-pound center is a mismatch for him.

And I'm not going to be surprised if he proves too effective on offense that he earns himself more primacy/usage. Maybe gets up to 16-18 ppg which is what Valancuinas was doing in 27.3 minutes per game on average.