Herrington: Zach Edey’s rapid preseason growth has the Grizzlies’ draft decision looking good
The Memphis Grizzlies have placed a big bet on Zach Edey. Edey, right, rebounds over Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, left, during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Dallas, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (Gareth Patterson/AP Photo)
Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington covers the Memphis Grizzlies and writes about Memphis culture, food, and civic life.
One reason for pessimism about the Memphis Grizzlies getting back to the playoffs might be that they’ll be relying on a rookie.
A rookie center on a team trying to reach the inner-six playoff rung in the Western Conference?
When was the last time that happened?
Last season, actually. Twice over.
Ok, so Chet Holmgren, the Rookie of the Year runner-up for the 57-win Oklahoma City Thunder, is a bit of a cheat. Holmgren was a second overall draft pick who spent a year marinating in the major leagues before finally seeing the court.
But the Grizzlies don’t have to look far for a more relevant comp. They can gaze up the standings of their own Southwest Division, where the 12th pick Dereck Lively II started 42 of his 55 games as a true rookie for the 50-win Dallas Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals. Lively gave Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic a high-percentage finisher to target at the rim and the team’s defense an anchor in the paint.
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