Zion Williamson barely played one half of basketball during the 2019 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. For some analysts, this is reason for concern.
After Williamson suffered a bruised knee in his first exhibition with the New Orleans Pelicans, his former coach–Mike Krzyzewski–indicated that Williamson likely should not have suited up at all.
The No. 1 overall pick had been fulfilling media obligations and press tours for months, and Krzyzewski suggested that he likely was not in proper playing shape. Pelicans executive David Griffin agreed, saying that the team would be shutting him down for the summer so that he could prepare for the rigors of an 82-game season.
Despite this initial setback, one opposing player thinks that Williamson will live up to the billing as the most highly-anticipated prospect since LeBron James (per Keith P. Smith of “RealGM Analysis”):
Opposing player on Zion Williamson: “Did you see him rag-doll that kid from the Knicks? Man. That dude is strong! And he’s fast and can jump. My boy said ‘Yeah, but can he shoot?’ and I was like ‘Man, who cares? Does he need to?’ I bet he’s an All-Star in a couple of years and then at the weekend for the next 15 years.”
Williamson's physique has been something of particular interest for analysts and pundits. On the one hand, his unprecedented combination of size, strength and athleticism helped him dominate the collegiate ranks at Duke. Still, some have suggested that he may be more susceptible to injury.
Regardless, the Pelicans should be one of the most interesting teams to watch next season. Armed with one of the strongest young cores in the league, many believe that they could make a push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Much of their success could be determined by Williamson's growth and impact in his first season as a professional.
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