Charles Barkley will have plenty of homework to do in March as he takes on some NCAA duties during March Madness. He got to watch New Orleans Pelicans big Zion Williamson and Memphis Grizzlies stud Ja Morant play in their last collegiate year before declaring for the NBA, eventually becoming the leading candidates for the Rookie of the Year award.
Yet he'd be remiss if he didn't say his thoughts on the race for this award:
“I wanna say this about Zion Williamson. He’s an amazing kid from a distance. He’s been a great jolt of energy for the NBA,” Barkley prefaced, according to David Gardner of Bleacher Report. “But if they screw Ja Morant out of this Rookie of the Year thing, I’m going to be really pissed, and I’m going to blow a gasket on TNT.”
The Grizzlies talent has been the lead horse in this race for the entire 2019-20 season, yet Williamson has given quick chase after putting up notable numbers upon his return.
The Murray State product has played in 58 of his team's 64 games this season for the Grizzlies, while Williamson has only played in 19 games thus far and will be unable to reach 40 with only 18 games left on the season.
Some argue that if the Pelicans wind up making the playoffs, it should be Williamson's award; but Barkley, among many others, believes in the body of work, rather than shock value.
Williamson is having a tremendous rookie season, averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds. Morant is dropping 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while leading the Memphis Grizzlies to the last playoff spot in the West.
Barkley has reason to be pissed if the young Grizzlies talent falls short of the ROY for any other reason beyond his performance, as narratives have been known to play a part in these decisions in the past.
Follow Us
Subscribe