Zach Edey's sizeable impact

[Im Still Ballin]

I've been an Edey believer since he first did the NBA Draft Combine in 2023 and realized he was a lot bigger, longer, and mobile than he was perceived to be. Many arguments were made & had on this forum. Despite being misused for almost his entire rookie season under Taylor Jenkins (+250% on-ball screens immediately under new coach Tomas Iisalo), I still thought he was the most impactful rookie (best one-number metrics; highest single-season RAPM). Didn't win ROY because of his role and injuries limiting accumulation/production.

The biggest question mark by the doubters was his defense at the NBA level. Zach got better every month and was genuinely great by the second half of the season. >6ft of -6% on 5.0 contests/g on the season. -10.1% on 5.1 post All-Star. Three games in (not including tonight's win), he's holding opponents to -17.1% shooting at the rim.

He's genuinely a strong rim protector & paint deterrent. Maybe even great, but I'll wait for the sample size to grow.

Aside from shot defense, he offers incredible rebounding, which Memphis desperately needs (Jaren Jackson & defensive rebounding). His offensive rebounding is Steven Adams-level good and his most valuable skill. He also provides quality rim-running, spot-up threes, and the occasional post-up isolation. Needs to work on his turnover issues - his biggest weakness right now.

And on to 2025-26. He's 4 games in and has completely changed Memphis when on the court. +39 with him on the floor (101 minutes), -10 without (91 minutes). A 41-point blowout win against Sacramento has made the off-court numbers look much better. Either way, they've been highly competitive even against CLE & SAS when he's been out there. Not including today's 6-point win against Dallas, Zach has recorded a +14.0 on-court +/- per 100 poss and +21.2 on-off +/- per 100 poss.

[Xiao Yao You]

He should rebound and protect the rim. How is he in space?

[Im Still Ballin]

Including today's 6-point win against Dallas, Zach has a +17.4 on-court +/- per 100 poss and +24.9 on-off +/- per 100 poss.

That's per Basketball Reference.

Cleaning the Glass, which filters out garbage time, has a +22.1 on-court [99th percentile] (124.0 ORtg [93rd percentile], 101.9 DRtg [99th percentile]) and +31.1 on/off [100th percentile] (+15.2 ORtg [97th percentile], -15.9 DRtg [98th percentile].

101 minutes played, so a small sample. But promising, nonetheless.

[tontoz]

The last two games have been Sacramento without Sabonis and Dallas without AD and lively.

[BarberSchool]

Memphis should crucify Morant

and build around Edey

[Im Still Ballin]

A ridiculous +39 in a 5-point win tonight. Love watching him beat up small center rotations. 21 points (10/15 FG, 0/1 3PT, 1/1 FT), 15 rebounds (5 off), 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers. Not including tonight's win, he's holding opponents -33.8% on 3.0 <6ft rim contests/g.

[Im Still Ballin]

[Im Still Ballin]

Including today's 6-point win against Dallas, Zach has a +17.4 on-court +/- per 100 poss and +24.9 on-off +/- per 100 poss.

That's per Basketball Reference.

Cleaning the Glass, which filters out garbage time, has a +22.1 on-court [99th percentile] (124.0 ORtg [93rd percentile], 101.9 DRtg [99th percentile]) and +31.1 on/off [100th percentile] (+15.2 ORtg [97th percentile], -15.9 DRtg [98th percentile].

101 minutes played, so a small sample. But promising, nonetheless.

Update on the Cleaning the Glass numbers (141 minutes played):

+28.8 on-court [100th percentile] (124.3 ORtg [93rd percentile], 95.6 DRtg [100th percentile]) and +39.7 on/off [100th percentile] (+14.8 ORtg [97th percentile], -25.0 DRtg [100th percentile].

Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

[Im Still Ballin]

Update on rim-contesting numbers (6 games):

-30.9% on 3.5 <6ft contests/game (7/21 DFGA)

Numbers for top defensive centers:

Gobert: -20.6% on 6.4 <6ft contests/game (48/115 DFGA)
Wendell Carter Jr.: -18.3% on 4.6 <6ft contests/game (37/82 DFGA)
Kornet: -18.2% on 6.5 <6ft contests/game (28/65 DFGA)
Clingan: -17.6% on 5.3 <6ft contests/game (48/100 DFGA)
Isaiah Stewart: -17.4% on 4.5 <6ft contests/game (30/67 DFGA)
Isaiah Hartenstein: -16.4% on 4.2 <6ft contests/game (35/79 DFGA)
Rob Williams: -16.2% on 2.5 <6ft contests/game (14/30 DFGA)
Porzingis: -15.0% on 6.0 <6ft contests/game (36/72 DFGA)

Now, Zach's rim-contesting stats will come down. That's inevitable with sample size & strength of opposition. But by how much? I can see -15% being a reality. He did -9.1% over the last 51 RS games last season, getting better every month. -14.4% over the last 14 games.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Wemby isn't up there?

[Im Still Ballin]

Wemby isn't up there?

Wemby: -7.9% on 6.4 <6ft contests/game (42/77 DFGA)

He did -13.3% last year, and -10.7% as a rookie.

Individual rim-contesting numbers are only one small part of the statistical footprint of defense. It's a statistic that's correlated with good interior defense; the best paint protectors usually feature well. But it's bound to miss context. I wouldn't be surprised if Wemby's lesser percentage is simply him getting caught out occasionally because he's covering so much of the court.

As we know, it's extremely hard to capture everything that happens on defense with numbers. Luckily, we can look at on-court & on/off numbers to get a better idea of his defensive impact.

Cleaning the Glass has San Antonio with a 106.5 DRtg (-9.2 rDRtg) in 416 minutes with Victor on the court this season. That drops by -11.0 to 117.5 DRtg (+1.8 rDRtg) without him.

That's sensational. Rudy has him beat, though: 105.8 DRtg (-9.9 rDRtg) in 579 minutes on-court; -22.9 dropoff to a 128.7 DRtg (+13.0 rDRtg) without him.

We can also look at how Wemby affects opponent rim scoring when he's on the court, and how San Antonio fares when he's off:

rRim Accuracy On-Court: -10.7%
Rim Accuracy On/Off: -5.0%

rRim Frequency On-Court: -4.2%
Rim Frequency On/Off: -8.2%

Simply awesome numbers. They've got Kornet on the team, so the interior defense is still solid without Victor.

I do think people are getting a little ahead of themselves re: Wemby's defense. He's been DPOY-level since day one, but he's not separated himself from Rudy, IMO. I think this is because of the excitement around his crazy defensive tools and highlight reel.

[Xiao Yao You]

You would think old man gobert was sucking based on the trolls. Tough times continue for the trolls

[Axe]

His blocks against the thunder in the '25 playoffs weren't enough in avoiding memphis from being swept hard.

sucking based on the trolls

[red1]

big zach.



kid is a beast.