How Zach Edey of the Grizzlies breaks down the rookie wall with ‘hockey’ intensity

Teams aim to hit on all cylinders heading into the postseason. Still, rookies are trying to avoid the proverbial ‘wall’ in the middle of the regular season. Luckily for The learning curve of Zach Eddy and the Memphis Grizzlieseveryone pulls in the same direction without much ego. Purdue’s new big man explained to Clutchpoints what it looks like afterwards I Morant’s Grizzlies were humiliated by the Houston Rockets.

The Grizzlies (26-15) have been battling the Rockets (27-12) for second place in the Western Conference all season. Memphis is 0-3 against Houston this season, but the locker room still believes the best is yet to come for this group. Eddie had to smile when asked if it was difficult coaching Ja Morant and Taylor Jenkins during games.

“Their intensity doesn’t matter. I played hockey growing up. I’ve been cursed and (expletive deleted) since I started playing sports,” Eddy noted. “It’s just about the message and they’re saying the right things because they want me to do well… They’re just telling me the things they see.” I don’t pay attention to tone or anything like that.”

Now 40 games into his rookie season with the Grizzlies, Eddie is looking down and trying to break through the rookie wall. As for the rest of the team’s message to the 22-year-old?

“Just keep going.” Keep playing the way I play. Be physical, keep going out there and give it everything I’ve got,” Eddie stressed. “It’s not one particular message, just keep going.”

Well, sort of, but not always. Eddie led the way in the game and drew the ire of an official in Houston. The delay of game warning for the Grizzlies wasn’t because Eddie tried to get under the skin of Dillon Brooks and the Houston Rockets.

“I didn’t know the rule,” Eedei admitted. “I was just trying to get a position.”

Jump positioning is more important than a random mid-game bounce situation. Jaren Jackson Jr., now 10th all-time in franchise history for jumps, he needs Edei’s help to win board-clearing battles. Eddie’s plan of action as Jackson’s assistant is simple.

“Encourage him,” Edey laughed. “Tell him good job and go get another one!”

As for fouling out against the Rockets? Eddie had just one foul in the first half of a 120-118 loss at Houston. The officials didn’t give much feedback to Edei or the Grizzlies after they picked up five second-half fouls.

“There’s not much to say,” Edey said. “Just don’t foul.”

Eddie and the Grizzlies got the best of Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs in a 129-115 victory. Still, the rookie has no rest on the horizon. Memphis will finish the four-game road trip with another game against the Spurs on January 17th. He then returns home to take on Rudy Gobert’s Minnesota Timberwolves.

Thanks to some early hockey lessons, Zach Edey is ready to take on the challenge.