7’4 Zach Edey Might Elevate Jimmy Butler and Bam Adabayo’s Miami Heat, Claims Ex-NBA Star

Zach Edey is one of the most talked about players in the NCAA circuit. Now that he has declared for the NBA draft, a mock draft by ESPN projected him as the fifteenth overall pick. And as per the same site, Edey could land in the Miami Heat. To support these claims further, this former basketball star thinks that Edey would be the right fit for Miami Heat.

Recently ex-NBA star Rasheed Wallace sat down to have a chat with Tyler and Bonzi Wells on Sheed and Tyler Youtube channel. While Sheed backed Edey, Bonzi disagreed. Just as every player has strengths and weaknesses, Edey too has the same. But one unusual fact with Edey is that his height which is his strength can also keep him at a disadvantage.

Zach Edey to make full use of his height but can he do it in offense?

Picking up Edey from the draft will be a game-changer for the Heat. The 7 feet 4 inches tall center will definitely raise the bar in the NBA. Since there are only a few other athletes who are as tall as Edey, his height will make it difficult for opponents to counter him. Another advantage that comes with Edey due to his height is the blocking ability in defense. Though he did not contribute much with blocks during his NCAA career, nonetheless he can be an asset if Miami field him well.

One thing that the Heat will have to adjust to is his three-pointer skills. Edey potted nil three-pointers throughout his stay at the college basketball circuit. It will be interesting to see if he goes ahead with the same strategy or if the Heat ask him to change his three-pointer tally. 

But another concern that has plagued the minds of fans is that Edey has not played defensively. Except for screening roles, if he is asked to attack more will he be able to replicate the same success he had in college? In college, he was the alpha and the mainstay player, but the playing methods of the Miami Heat are quite different from those of the Purdue Boilermakers.

Zach Edey to play second fiddle to Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler

Another point raised by Sheed was regarding Edey’s height and it was in the player’s favor. The Heat clash against Kristaps Porzingis at least four times a year. Similarly, they clash with Embiid and Bucks 4 times a year.  They also compete against Jokic, Gobert, and Wemby. Therefore, they need Edey’s height which they lack. And he would be a good asset with Adebayo and Butler.

If he doesn’t get the alpha, can Edey be as useful in offense as he will be in defense? A noteworthy thing is that Edey though advanced to the finals, lost to the Huskies ultimately. And no team in the NBA would want to build a one-man dominant squad.

Edey’s teaming up with center Bam Adebayo would be one to watch. While Adebayo can be the main center, Edey can take the trouble from Adebayo and contest against smaller, thinner players. This way he will not be a liability in offense and also not be a one-man army. Instead, he can look to pass to Adebayo and if for some reason he doesn’t do that then against the smaller guys, Edey can unleash his moves.

Edey will also bring his fanbase to the Heat and hopefully, he will be able to perform as exceptionally as he did with Purdue. The only thing the Heat need to be careful of is inculcating a teamwork mindset in Edey. With this, he might give away the individualistic role he was playing earlier with Purdue and develop more as a player.