NBA Legend expresses skepticism about Memphis Grizzlies centre Zach Edey's hype post the regular season

Time of India

2 days ago

Gilbert Arenas. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Memphis Grizzlies
centre player
Zach Edey
ended his performance in the
2025 regular season
of the
NBA
with an average of 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist. The 23-year-old player has been making the headlines recently, owing to his performance that has turned heads and led to predictions of a glorious prospect for his future within the league.
However, former Grizzlies player and NBA legend Gilbert Arenas is of a different opinion, which reflects his skepticism about the predictions made by the sports analysts.
Gilbert Arenas explains his metrics to judge a rookie's achievement and capabilities, negates the player's possible development in the NBA
In a recent episode of Gil's Arena, former basketball player Gilbert Arenas opened up on his opinions about Zach Edey's ongoing speculations and future predictions by the sports analysts of the game. While experts have commented on the ability of the player despite his young age and affirmed that there is enough time for the rookie player to develop his skills, Gilbert is of a different opinion.
'A rookie is a rookie. Either you are going to be a rookie at 26 and you are going to learn in the NBA or you are gonna learn it at 19. Either way it's your first day at the job.'
Gilbert has a different set of definitions that defines the capabilities of the players within the court. While the average stat of Edey in the recent season, which stands at 9 points and 8 rebounds, is fine for a rookie player, it is not the same for someone of the young prospect's age.
'9 and 8 for a 23-year-old isn't impressive. For a rookie, yeah it is. But for a 23-year-old, that not what they are looking at.' Gilbert continued, 'You are not on the same value. Like if you look the 19-year-old, the 18-year-old, that was a second round pick, that's in front of him, had more votes than him.'
Gilbert Arenas STILL Isn't SOLD On The Zach Edey Hype
The name of Memphis Grizzlies' power forward Jaylen Wells came up, who is younger to Edey and had an average of 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Wells was placed on a higher position than Edey on the KIA NBA All-Rookie Team voting results, even though Edey had better stats.
Gilbert defended the listicle's purpose of listing out probable star players rather than observing who put on a more solid performance throughout the season. His comparison metrics are based on the age of the player. Gilbert analyses the fact that if Edey scored an average of 9 throughout the season at the age of 23, what would be the other young athlete's score when they are at the age of 23.
Also read:
LeBron James is not a fan of Bronny and Bryce James' basketball upbringing as he recalled his own journey to become an NBA legend
Gilbert seems to be focusing more on the data and past records of rookies in the NBA. He doesn't leave much space for argument within his statements, which completely negates the fact that even though a player starts late, he always has the time to hone skills and emerge as a capable one, improving the average of oneself.