Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was complimentary of the rookie big man, who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes as Memphis narrowly prevailed against his side – who rested their All-Star duo – during the preseason matchup. Judging by this, the new campaign can’t start soon enough…
Carlisle: Edey will likely show he was drafted low at #9
SURE, Eastern Conference finalists Indiana Pacers were without last season’s All-Star acquisition Pascal Siakam, veteran guard T.J McConnell, defensive forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) and Olympic champion Tyrese Haliburton for rest purposes but you can only play what’s ahead of you.
The remaining Pacers were said to have paid specific attention towards Zach Edey and how they’d have to defend the 7-foot-4, 300-pound rookie but not only did he allay fears surrounding his long-term suitability in a league without many players like him any more, but torched Indiana while doing so.
The back-to-the-basket big man has largely been phased out in favour of a focus on long-distance shooting and increased switchability to avoid being hunted – Rudy Gobert the most notable example – in a best-of-seven playoff matchup.
Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns are just two All-Star players who’ve previously been urged to play more aggressive bully-ball in the post, though both like to try their luck from distance and generally showcase their shooting versatility.
2023-24 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who won Olympic silver during the offseason, has shown himself not to be a traditional big man either.
Edey is bringing that style back, with encouraging early returns. He had 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting – all in the paint – as well as nine rebounds in 19 minutes for an efficient statline against Myles Turner, James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson.
Rick Carlisle was impressed and expressed as much post-game, per Indy Star:
“History will likely show that where he was chosen in the draft was low. He’s gonna have impact, drafted by an organization believing in size and what he accomplished. Two-time national player of the year is a big deal.
It’s rare that can even happen in today’s world of college basketball. I have great respect for what he accomplished at Purdue, a lot of respect for tonight because he put a will and a physicality into the game we simply did not match.”
Edey’s freakish size and questions over his defensive abilities against much faster players in the NBA meant critics were far louder about where they expected him to fall in the draft, despite being a two-time All-American and consensus national player of the year who spearheaded Purdue’s progress to its first Final Four since 1980.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes hyperlinked
Mo and Sports 