Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor is joined by Slightly Biased to discuss the Memphis big man’s impact as the team has won seven of its last 10 games. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
Zach Eadie; many people talk about his offense.
People know hes a dominant at-rim finisher, a really good post player.
But there’s not a lot, a lot of discussion about his defense.
So far this season, he’s been absolutely dominant.
Stonewalling guys at the basket, deterring shots at the rim against the Blazers Weekend.
He had a couple of plays just in the first Stint in the first quarter where he, you know, closed out on the perimeter, Altered shots at the rim; this has been a thing with him all year long.
Whether he’s in drop coverage, if he’s getting beat, He’s using his long wingspan to alter or block shots as a help defender.
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He’s been absolutely sensational as well, coming over, Rotating over, altering, and blocking shots at the rim.
Second opportunities, like second jumps, block He’s been great as well.
And then also on the perimeter, he’s getting switched sometimes like Biggs does.
He had a great block against Donovan Mitchell.
Earlier this year on a step-back three-point.
Attempt.
And with Eddie this year, the numbers with him, He’s been dominant.
His 1.9 blocks per game, on the surface, That’s what people see, but teams shoot 10% worse when he’s defending.
Within 6 ft of the rim, they’re shooting 25.8%.
Worse on shots taken without 6 ft of the rim.
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Rim.
Over 11 rebounds per game, the Grizzlies have a 94.5 defensive rating when he’s on floor compared to 118 when he’s off the floor.
Zach EadieI had him ranked seventh in 2014, uh, 2024 draft.
So maybe I’m a little bit biased here, but I think Zach Eadie is the best player on the Grizzlies.
I mean, we talked about Steph Curry’s sort Of gravity, that’s how he draws guys out to the perimeter.
Edie sort of has a similar role as a guide where it’s just every team has to know where Edie is At any given moment on the floor, he’s such a good pick-and-roll guy.
And he’s so good at sealing guys out of the basket that it’s, It feels like he’ll get the ball.
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On the block, if you don’t send help early, or if you’re not shading him immediately, Then it’s just an automatic bucket.
And yeah, He’s just so good; he moves his feet well.
And it doesnt look like it because hes still.
So big that when you’re watching it, it looks like he’s still slow.
But like you mentioned, he moves his feet well enough that he’s always in position to Recover, always in position to, you know, alter a shot, or block a shot from behind.
Yeah, he’s been really good.
And II, I thought, I just thought he was too big.
Like I said, I thought he was too big and slow, And that these guys always kind of get weeded out in the NBA.
But man, he is truly a special player, for sure.