The inside gate is back! Is there an antidote to the Grizzlies predicament?

Zach Eddy, who suffered an ankle injury during the offseason and missed the game for five months, finally returned to the team smoothly against the Cavaliers.

Although the Grizzlies were reversed after leading for three quarters and lost 100-108 to the Cavaliers, losing their fourth consecutive game; but insider Eddie played 24 minutes in the game and scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 3 of 6 shots.

Considering the unfamiliarity with the team's positioning last season, this young insider was not able to perform stably. This season, after new coach Isalo took over, although his coaching has caused a lot of controversy from the outside world, the pick-and-roll system he has always advocated happens to be a major benefit to unleash Eddie's size advantage, and even has the opportunity to bring a glimmer of hope to this team that has fallen into a trough.

Considering Isalo's team system, compared to wandering around and ambushing in the reasonable collision zone last season, Eddie this season will most likely assume the supporting role of Jack Laravia before, playing a covering role at the top of the key and supporting the ball. When his teammates break through to attack the basket, he will follow up to the basket and be responsible for receiving pie and rushing for offensive rebounds.

Judging from his rookie season, Eddie's screening advantage is quite obvious, and it can even be seen that Eddie has some basic passing skills. But regarding his support role at the top of the arc, especially when facing passes after low-post double-teams, the newcomer still has shortcomings inside. This is also a new position he needs to adapt to under Isalo.

From the perspective of shortcomings in the game, although Eddie has begun to rely on his size advantage to show his cover value last season, his bottom plate is still not stable enough when there is not enough time to take position; it is also difficult to take advantage of the inside when facing some tough defenders. On the contrary, it disrupts the team's system, leading to some problems of collecting the ball early or missing passing opportunities.

Of course, for a second-year insider, Eddie still needs some time to pay tuition. However, referring to the learning ability shown by Eddie in his rookie year, as long as he maintains a stable confrontation in the lower plate, there should still be a chance to bring some new changes inside to the Grizzlies.

Before Eddie, the Grizzlies' starting inside line was 30-year-old Randell. Although his pie-eating ability is stable, he has even shot more than 40% of high-quality three-pointers so far this season. However, due to physical disadvantages, it is difficult for him to maintain a stable offensive threat in the air. He has only succeeded once in the air-oop this season.

As for Eddie, he scored 146 points per 100 possessions in the pick-and-roll last season, ranking first among interior centers in the league. In addition, his offensive rebounding efficiency of 15.3% ranked second in the league, second only to Rocket Adams.

From these aspects, as long as he is on the court, opponents need to pay more attention to his follow-up attacks. As long as he can improve his butter hand problem in the future, he will definitely have the opportunity to exert a greater inside threat than Langdell.

As a pick-and-roll center with a greater threat, it is really crucial for Morant, who is currently at a low ebb.

Judging from the reference data, Morant encountered assist defenses in 86.5% of his breakthroughs this season. He is currently the first of the 41 players in the league to have at least 100 breakthrough rounds; and if Eddie can maintain the frame-protecting and screening role at the level of last season, Morant will also be able to get better opportunities to break through and attack.

In general, as the Grizzlies' starting center last season, Eddie's return is definitely a choice that can bring positive benefits to the Grizzlies. However, considering that he has just come back, Eddie still has a clear playing time limit.

As for the actual impact of the team, and whether it can help the Grizzlies get out of the current predicament, it also needs to pay attention to the rotation arrangement of head coach Isalo, and Eddie's adaptability to the team's new role.