Zach Edey, 7-4

[Big J]

Just like they do Jokic and Sabonis right? He-he!

Those guys are offensive hubs who can pass and shoot. Edey is a back to the basket post up dinosaur big.

I’m too lazy to dig the posts up but I seem to remember you claiming, until Jokic won a title, you were adamant he couldn’t have playoff success because he’d be exploited from the perimeter. How’d that work out?

(If I recall you’re a Suns or KD/Booker fan and had a grotesquely obese woman as your avatar at one point)

So Edey is Jokic now?

[HadAnEffectHere]

I would like to see a combine test that measures how fast a player can leave the ground and how fast they can reach their apex in response to some stimulus.

Because I think Edey would be historically bad at that drill.

I think Edey is the best college basketball player of the last 25 years and him dragging this horrible Purdue team to the title game is good evidence of that, but he just has almost no shot defensively in the NBA. He takes so long to get off the ground. He's a late first even in a draft this bad. None of his length is usable in an era this skilled.

[babyjax13]

If Edey gets spaced out his defensive impact is almost nil, we're seeing it with this small lineup (albeit the press also isn't helping). That said he's competing pretty well. I'm so curious to see how he translates, I really hope it works - I'd love to see a back to the basket big back in the league, but the issue is the offense is so slow and if he doesn't create a good shot it is a lot of work with little time to create a good shot elsewhere. That's why post-up offense has died.

[LessEyeTest]

Those guys are offensive hubs who can pass and shoot. Edey is a back to the basket post up dinosaur big.

I’m too lazy to dig the posts up but I seem to remember you claiming, until Jokic won a title, you were adamant he couldn’t have playoff success because he’d be exploited from the perimeter. How’d that work out?

(If I recall you’re a Suns or KD/Booker fan and had a grotesquely obese woman as your avatar at one point)

So Edey is Jokic now?

Far from it - I’m just not convinced he’s going to be “exploited from the perimeter” if a team puts him a good scheme with good defenders a la Jokic. The idea of being exploited from the perimeter is way overblown for almost every big. Even a freakishly athletic Embiid got cooked by the Celtics because that’ll happen here and there, but an efficient big with good to great volume is valuable in a league starving for them.

[damedash09]

Edeys team mates are awful

I don't think he lost any value at all tonight

Unless you don't like him at all as a prospect

[babyjax13]

Edeys team mates are awful

I don't think he lost any value at all tonight

Unless you don't like him at all as a prospect

I think the only way his value would materially change from this game is if they stuck him on one of the Cams and he defended well in space

[Colbinii]

Edeys team mates are awful

I don't think he lost any value at all tonight

Unless you don't like him at all as a prospect

How could someone drop him lower on their board after tonight if they already didn't like him?

[ItsDanger]

The question is, what does he look like with NBA talent around him. Purdue didnt have high upside guys in this rotation. Hurley did the smart thing and played single coverage mostly because their size advantage elsewhere nullified Boilers 3 pt shooting.

[FarBeyondDriven]

it's finally over. Let the hype die a deserving death. The guy succeeded because he had no rivals (until tonight) like he'd see at the next level. He can't defend in space and he's got a 5 inch vertical so unless guys are taken it right to him he's essentially useless as a shot blocker. Let's put this to bed. He's going to be at best one of the worst starting centers in basketball but more likely, a guy you can get 15-20 mpg off the bench as a foul merchant and absorber. Clingan didn't do anything special and just his size was enough to slow Edey down. Edey just lacks skill which is noteworthy given he's been playing college basketball for years. Like, what is this dude doing in the offseason to work on his game? Those back to the basket moves are laughable. He never bothered to develop a 15-18 footer let alone three which might improve his future chances. He shouldn't be drafted in the first round.

[zimpy27]

With Wemby being a giant I do think NBA teams are going to be looking for guys of Edey's size just to get a guy that could score and possibly defend the length of a player like Wemby.

[King Ken]

it's finally over. Let the hype die a deserving death. The guy succeeded because he had no rivals (until tonight) like he'd see at the next level. He can't defend in space and he's got a 5 inch vertical so unless guys are taken it right to him he's essentially useless as a shot blocker. Let's put this to bed. He's going to be at best one of the worst starting centers in basketball but more likely, a guy you can get 15-20 mpg off the bench as a foul merchant and absorber. Clingan didn't do anything special and just his size was enough to slow Edey down. Edey just lacks skill which is noteworthy given he's been playing college basketball for years. Like, what is this dude doing in the offseason to work on his game? Those back to the basket moves are laughable. He never bothered to develop a 15-18 footer let alone three which might improve his future chances. He shouldn't be drafted in the first round.

This ain't it brother

Edey scored 37/10 and got Clingan and Jackson into foul trouble.

His team was getting dominated by the dribble drive and off ball cutting, I seen Gobert give up a ton of points off this last year for the Wolves if your perimeter defenders can't keep anyone out the paint and you aren't communicating. This is the same Gobert who's now the favorite for DPOY. Why can't you just give credit to UCONN who has the superior team.

He did an excellent job protecting the paint. Clingan couldn't score on him and Jackson buckets were dunks from the flares. It's like you weren't watching the game.

So much wrong in this.

This was a good film for what Edey does well, where he needs to improve, and areas that could happen in the NBA and what needs to be adjusted. These are coaching moments.

[ItsDanger]

it's finally over. Let the hype die a deserving death. The guy succeeded because he had no rivals (until tonight) like he'd see at the next level. He can't defend in space and he's got a 5 inch vertical so unless guys are taken it right to him he's essentially useless as a shot blocker. Let's put this to bed. He's going to be at best one of the worst starting centers in basketball but more likely, a guy you can get 15-20 mpg off the bench as a foul merchant and absorber. Clingan didn't do anything special and just his size was enough to slow Edey down. Edey just lacks skill which is noteworthy given he's been playing college basketball for years. Like, what is this dude doing in the offseason to work on his game? Those back to the basket moves are laughable. He never bothered to develop a 15-18 footer let alone three which might improve his future chances. He shouldn't be drafted in the first round.

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That's a classic up and under move. And for the millionth time, they don't let him shoot mid range because of their system.

[FrodoBaggins]

I'm high on Edey because he's more mobile than people give him credit for (check combine numbers) and he's a hugely impactful screener, PnR roll man, finisher, foul drawer, and offensive rebounder. And he has freakish size for his position. And he's incredibly durable and has superb conditioning.

He has all the elements to be an extremely productive situational, backup, and even starting big. Like a bigger Steven Adams, Zubac, or Valancuinas without the perimeter shot (yet).

Or perhaps a bigger Enes Kanter on offense who's a positive defender in drop coverage. Kanter was doing 11/11 on 60%+ FG and 63.6% TS in 24 minutes in 2021. Did 14/11 on 59.4% FG and 63% TS in 25.8 minutes in 2018. Imagine if Zach is that sort of offensive player but his defense allows him to be out there for starter-level minutes.

BTW, the one-number metrics and box-derived plus minuses and play-by-play data all suggest Kanter was a positive player above replacement level from 2016 onwards.

[Chuck Everett]

With Wemby being a giant I do think NBA teams are going to be looking for guys of Edey's size just to get a guy that could score and possibly defend the length of a player like Wemby.

This won't work even at Edey's size, because Wemby can take him 12-25 feet out and make shots. Edey's best bet is 12-15 minutes playing against the Daniel Gafford/Alex Len's of the world. And he is going to have to be an elite finisher in the dunker spot. If he can land in Memphis, he has a chance to carve out a niche. I'd say Miami, but they pretty much hate bigs. They prefer long switchable defenders.

Nevertheless, he is an NBA player. Luke Kornet has carved out a niche, so Zach definitely will.

[FrodoBaggins]

Memphis should be Zach's #1 destination. Taylor Jenkins' system values screening, rolling, finishing, rebounding, and great positioning from the center. Less concerned are they with switchability, versatility, and shot contesting; most of those are covered by Jaren Jackson Jr and Marcus Smart. They made elite defenses out of Steven Adams and Jonas V.

But I fear they might prefer Donovan Clingan. But he has his own shortcomings that are equally concerning IMO - durability, conditioning, free-throw shooting, can be pushed around.

I also really like New York and Miami for Zach. Thibs will need a reliable backup if Hartenstein gets a better offer. He's a coach that'll value and get the best out of Edey. Miami as well because they use more zone coverages than anyone and they're known for making use of mature-aged college players.

After those teams, MIL, LAL, DEN, and OKC could use him as a backup. Spurs also? Washington needs a starting center as well. Help them tank for Flagg maybe?

[Big J]

Memphis should be Zach's #1 destination. Taylor Jenkins' system values screening, rolling, finishing, rebounding, and great positioning from the center. Less concerned are they with switchability, versatility, and shot contesting; most of those are covered by Jaren Jackson Jr and Marcus Smart. They made elite defenses out of Steven Adams and Jonas V.

But I fear they might prefer Donovan Clingan. But he has his own shortcomings that are equally concerning IMO - durability, conditioning, free-throw shooting, can be pushed around.

I also really like New York and Miami for Zach. Thibs will need a reliable backup if Hartenstein gets a better offer. He's a coach that'll value and get the best out of Edey. Miami as well because they use more zone coverages than anyone and they're known for making use of mature-aged college players.

After those teams, MIL, LAL, DEN, and OKC could use him as a backup. Spurs also? Washington needs a starting center as well. Help them tank for Flagg maybe?

Drafting Edey would definitely help them tank for Flagg.

[FrightCoward]

it's finally over. Let the hype die a deserving death. The guy succeeded because he had no rivals (until tonight) like he'd see at the next level. He can't defend in space and he's got a 5 inch vertical so unless guys are taken it right to him he's essentially useless as a shot blocker. Let's put this to bed. He's going to be at best one of the worst starting centers in basketball but more likely, a guy you can get 15-20 mpg off the bench as a foul merchant and absorber. Clingan didn't do anything special and just his size was enough to slow Edey down. Edey just lacks skill which is noteworthy given he's been playing college basketball for years. Like, what is this dude doing in the offseason to work on his game? Those back to the basket moves are laughable. He never bothered to develop a 15-18 footer let alone three which might improve his future chances. He shouldn't be drafted in the first round.

Edey gave Clingan 37 and 10, dude didn’t slow down jack. It’s like you didn’t even watch the game. Lol. UCONN won because the rest of their team is eons better than Purdue’s.

[QingJames]

it's finally over. Let the hype die a deserving death. The guy succeeded because he had no rivals (until tonight) like he'd see at the next level. He can't defend in space and he's got a 5 inch vertical so unless guys are taken it right to him he's essentially useless as a shot blocker. Let's put this to bed. He's going to be at best one of the worst starting centers in basketball but more likely, a guy you can get 15-20 mpg off the bench as a foul merchant and absorber. Clingan didn't do anything special and just his size was enough to slow Edey down. Edey just lacks skill which is noteworthy given he's been playing college basketball for years. Like, what is this dude doing in the offseason to work on his game? Those back to the basket moves are laughable. He never bothered to develop a 15-18 footer let alone three which might improve his future chances. He shouldn't be drafted in the first round.

Clingan slowed him down? Did we watch the same game? It was bbq chicken whenever Edey got the ball in the low post against Clingan. He had 37 of Purdue’s 60 for Christ’s sake.

Edey’s deficiencies at the NBA level are not going to include being bodied by other bigs. Maybe Wemby could guard him properly, but Clingan was completely outmatched. Edey’s difficulties defending in space and slow vertical will be the big issues for him, but he’s absolutely capable of cooking basically every single big man in the league with his post-up game.

[Benjammin]

Edey won't be able to camp out in the lane in the NBA. He won't be able to push off either. He'll be exposed in the transition game and on pick and rolls. He should still be a solid 15-20 minute a game player. Clingan's game is better suited to the NBA. He can defend the pick and roll better.

[lastb1ckman]

Memphis should be Zach's #1 destination. Taylor Jenkins' system values screening, rolling, finishing, rebounding, and great positioning from the center. Less concerned are they with switchability, versatility, and shot contesting; most of those are covered by Jaren Jackson Jr and Marcus Smart. They made elite defenses out of Steven Adams and Jonas V.

But I fear they might prefer Donovan Clingan. But he has his own shortcomings that are equally concerning IMO - durability, conditioning, free-throw shooting, can be pushed around.

I also really like New York and Miami for Zach. Thibs will need a reliable backup if Hartenstein gets a better offer. He's a coach that'll value and get the best out of Edey. Miami as well because they use more zone coverages than anyone and they're known for making use of mature-aged college players.

After those teams, MIL, LAL, DEN, and OKC could use him as a backup. Spurs also? Washington needs a starting center as well. Help them tank for Flagg maybe?

With a weakside defender like JJJ supporting him, Memphis would definitely be a great location for him to land. Basically take over the Steven Adams role. Miami also would be interesting, cause they really need a decent backup C besides Kevin Love. And trust me, the heat have made due with slow footed centers in past couple years. Meyers Leonard, Omer Yurtseven, late career Cody Zeller etc. Bryant and Orlando do their best, but they either are a half sec too slow to react or get bodied by other centers.