Steven Adams says Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey has “limitless” potential

HOUSTON – Memphis Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey didn’t take long to realize what many others had in Steven Adams’ 11-year career.

“He’s pretty strong,” Edey said.

Monday night at Toyota Center was the second game in four days that Edey played against Adams, who was traded to the Houston Rockets in August after three seasons with the Grizzlies. Edey praised Adams even before he entered the league, mentioning that the Rockets center was someone he watched and modeled his game after.

After the Grizzlies’ 120-118 loss to Houston, it was Adams’ turn to face Edey. After two encounters, Adams now had enough sample size to speak confidently about Edey.

“Really great potential,” Adams told The Commercial Appeal. “Of course, limitless. He’s just young. He has to learn this game of the NBA.”

Stay on the ground

Edey finished the game with two points and seven rebounds before being fouled out just over 23 minutes into the game. When he was on the floor, he was a team-high plus-11. Houston won the game down the stretch while Edey failed to make it. It’s a sign that his availability will be important in games against opponents like the Rockets (26-12).

Adams was there and he doesn’t think Edey’s fouls are too much of a problem. In his first season as a full-time NBA starter – 2014-15 with the Oklahoma City Thunder – he averaged 3.2 fouls per game, a career-best, before making adjustments.

“I think that’s what gets him in trouble,” said Adams, who had two points, seven rebounds and zero fouls in 13 minutes. “It’s just a faster game. He’ll get this stuff done.”

Learn the NBA game

Like Adams in 2013, Edey has joined a team ready to compete right away. This is a different situation than rookies, who are given the keys to a team at a young age and have more freedom to exploit mistakes.

Edey was consistently in the starting lineup, and he also spent some games ending in the fourth quarter while not playing a minute back in others.

Adams played on a Grizzlies team that featured Desmond Bane, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the starting lineup. These three are the team’s top scorers this season. Playing against them will be an important factor in Edey’s development.

“It’s just about discovering your own chemistry,” Adams said. “Whoever the scorers are, I try to make their lives as easy as possible. He has to do that too. You have to start somewhere and evolve somehow. Because he’s on a good team, the roles are already filled, so he has a role to fill.

Adams also played for Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, and Adams knows as well as anyone why a big man in Memphis needs to stay on the floor. Lateral movement, pick-and-rolls and “everything on defense” are all focuses that will keep Edey on the floor, Adams said.

As far as recovery is concerned, there are no concerns whatsoever. Adams, who is 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, has had a long career dominating his opponents on the glass, and he sees those skills in Edey, too.

“He’s a big (expletive),” Adams said of the 7-4, 305-pound rookie. “It will be easy for you. This will be completely natural. Physically he’s so big.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

Steven Adams says Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey has “limitless” potential

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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