Zion Williamson

[TheGOATWill]

His size and NBA position are questionable at best (6'5-6'6, 6'10 wingspan with no shooting skills) but his athleticism is pretty nuts. He genuinely looks like an NFL level TE/DE who decided to pursue the NBA, even more than Lebron.

I wonder if he's some version of Draymond whose style of play is increasingly valuable in the age of 3 and D.

[CelticsLV]

He's playing tonight in Canada btw, their first pre-season game. Coach K has good things to say about him, saying that he's an outstanding basketball player, not just a dunker.

He had only good things to say about Okafor too.

[Triples333]

Barkley is about 6'4".

6'5" without shoes, 6'10" wingspan, no shot, freak athlete. That describes both to a tee. Again, Zion being the bigger, more athletic but slightly slower version (young Chuck was definitely insane running the open court, but Zion's size brings other matchup issues he did not possess). That is not to say I think he will be Chuck, but the potential impact for his attributes has clearly already been showcased and it's one of the greatest ever. Those acting like he has to have a shot for success at the next level are overlooking so much. If this kid sticks to it he WILL be a huge success.

[drekwins]

If I'm Coach K, I have him working on his dribbling morning, day and night. As long as he can break down a defense (whether as a 3, 4 or point-forward), he will wreck havoc on the league. IMO, that's more important than his stand-still shooting ability ala Ben Simmons. That combined with defensive awareness will make him on Draymonds level and extemely valuable in the NBA.

[Filthadelphia]

For those that have watched dude? What is his NBA comparable skills wise? Ive seen Barkley and thats insane if true....

[draftnightsuit]

Zion can definitely be seen as a more athletic and explosive Barkley.

Even when Barkley got old and fat and lost his athleticism he was still pulling down double digit rebounds and was a productive player. That shows that he knew how to use his sheer size to barrel through people like a bowling ball. And he played like a true PF.

Zion can do the same thing in that he can make athletic plays in the open court while bullying people around the basket with his size.

[ImSlower]

Screw discussion about the NFL, can you imagine him playing baseball? Hah! Guy would be robbing homers like Hamilton and clobbering them 450 feet on the regular!

Imagine a guy Judge's size, only even stronger. Jeez Louise

[clyde21]

Wasn’t Barkley’s wingspan around 6’10”?

Barkley was shorter though (like 6'4.5 or something).

Zion's an insanely explosive/strong athlete. I don't think he has the quicks/ball skills for a perimeter spot. He'll need to be a big in the NBA, which I think he can do successfully, could take awhile to figure it out though.

He can be a better version of Draymond Green if he puts in the work.

[ItsThatEasy]

If you're high on Julius Randle after this last season then idk how you can't like Zion.

There's about two inches separating them height wise but Zion's athleticism more than makes up for it plus he might not be done growing. At the worst he can probably duplicate Randle's past season, which was pretty damn good.

[NY 567]

Zion is arguably more of a physical and athletic freak thab LeBron and he's a fresh 18 years old. He'd have to really, really, really suck at the game of basketball to bust.

[Iplaytolose]

Barkley is about 6'4".

6'5" without shoes, 6'10" wingspan, no shot, freak athlete. That describes both to a tee. Again, Zion being the bigger, more athletic but slightly slower version (young Chuck was definitely insane running the open court, but Zion's size brings other matchup issues he did not possess). That is not to say I think he will be Chuck, but the potential impact for his attributes has clearly already been showcased and it's one of the greatest ever. Those acting like he has to have a shot for success at the next level are overlooking so much. If this kid sticks to it he WILL be a huge success.

Barkley was a scorer though that's for sure, and an efficient one at that. Not sure how scoring will translate to the NCAA and NBA for Zion though.

[Birth of the Cool]

In this thread, people who downplay Charles Barkley's skill & athleticism...athleticism isn't just about jumping high, it's quickness, speed, good hand eye co-ordination, etc. Then add in Barkley's footwork, bball IQ, post moves, body control and you have the HOF monster that is the round mound of rebound. Don't undersell Charles to upsell Zion.

[reignfire]

He would make more money in his life being a defensive end in the NFL than playing in the NBA.


Pass rushers are highly valued and highly paid.

[HotelVitale]

This kid has insane athleticism, but with no shot, no post moves, and a tendency to simply play bully ball and dunk, what can he offer offensively? How about defensively? I'm not sure we're gonna know much until he hits the pros. Just like in HS, he may simply get by on being physical in college.

Bully ball is one of the most effective forms of basketball. Lebron, Shaq, and Barkley are all examples.

None of those three played 'bully ball.' Lebron is one of the most skilled and cerebral drivers I've ever seen, he's a complete master of spacing and timing on his drives in addition to being ridiculously powerful. And the best attribute of Shaq--who was obviously much much bigger than Zion--was his crazy agility, he didn't overpower people so much as throw his power behind quick, agile moves that defenders simply couldn't get in front it. And Barkley, well he was just a freak of coordination, timing, anticipation, etc. All three of those guys are powerful but that's not what makes their games.

[eminence]

Wasn’t Barkley’s wingspan around 6’10”?

Barkley was shorter though (like 6'4.5 or something).

Zion's an insanely explosive/strong athlete. I don't think he has the quicks/ball skills for a perimeter spot. He'll need to be a big in the NBA, which I think he can do successfully, could take awhile to figure it out though.

He can be a better version of Draymond Green if he puts in the work.

I'm gonna go with no.

[HotelVitale]

He would make more money in his life being a defensive end in the NFL than playing in the NBA. Pass rushers are highly valued and highly paid.

This is the NBA, man. Dudes like Ryan Anderson and Tyler Johnson make more than any defensive player in the whole NFL.

[Cavsfansince84]

Barkley is about 6'4".

He's more like 6-5.5 and that's barefoot.

[Cavsfansince84]

He would make more money in his life being a defensive end in the NFL than playing in the NBA.


Pass rushers are highly valued and highly paid.

If he makes it to a second big contract in the nba he definitely made the right career choice. In the nfl all it takes is one big injury and your career and contract are over. Plus all the risk of cte later on in life.

[clyde21]

Barkley was shorter though (like 6'4.5 or something).

Zion's an insanely explosive/strong athlete. I don't think he has the quicks/ball skills for a perimeter spot. He'll need to be a big in the NBA, which I think he can do successfully, could take awhile to figure it out though.

He can be a better version of Draymond Green if he puts in the work.

I'm gonna go with no.

You're right, Draymond will probably be his floor.

[eminence]

He can be a better version of Draymond Green if he puts in the work.

I'm gonna go with no.

You're right, Draymond will probably be his floor.

Or he has very little in common with Draymond who's best trait is an an almost instinctual understanding of how to play defense.