It's been a recurring theme for Grizzlies fans to have to worry about injuries in recent seasons. But if there is a player who can really take the league by storm this year, look no further than Zach Edey. Cam Boozer and Cedric Coward already showed promise as a duo this summer, but a year 3 breakout for Zach Edey could spell major trouble for the Western Conference.
There are understandably concerns about Zach Edey's struggles with injuries to his left ankle, but like I've mentioned plenty of times before, we can't ignore what Edey did in the 11 games he played this past season. A healthy Zach Edey is simply a game changer and a franchise cornerstone in Memphis.
The Grizzlies still came away big winners this summer because they got to select Cam Boozer. However, it's hard not to think about how different the season would've been had Edey been available past December. A strong argument can definitely be made that the Grizzlies would've at least made the Play-In Tournament and potentially even the playoffs.
Zach Edey could prove to be an enormous problem for the West
As we move closer to this new season, Zach Edey's impact is not being discussed as much as it should be. There have even been projections for the Grizzlies to finish as low as the 13th seed in the Western Conference. But if there is one major flaw in how those outside of Memphis are evaluating this year's Grizzlies team, it's that Edey's impact is not being considered nearly enough.
Zach Edey was in the middle of a strong sophomore leap with the Grizzlies before having his season cut short. Edey averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals and blocks (stocks) in 11 games while also shooting 63.3% from the field. But beyond improvement in his own stats, the bigger story should be how much the team around him improved.
In the games Zach Edey played, the Grizzlies had a top-3 defensive rating as a team and even made a leap on the offensive end. It's also important to consider that the Grizzlies struggled to rebound and defend as a team without Edey before and after the games he appeared in. Now, add Cam Boozer to the equation, and the Grizzlies' frontcourt can be a surprisingly dominant force early on.
With Cam Boozer's special playmaking ability and a capable guard room, Zach Edey could end up being a major focal point for the offense. His impact on rebounding and defending is already transformational, but we likely haven't seen the best of Edey on the offensive end. Entering his third season, Zach Edey has a strong path to getting at least an All-Star or All-Defensive nod if healthy.
It's pretty well established leaguewide that the Grizzlies are in a promising position for the future, but the team is still flying under the radar a bit for this season. But if Zach Edey can stay healthy and play at least 65 games, the Western Conference has a new problem to worry about sooner than many expect.
