Zion Williamson in the NBA?

[1bigfan13]

He kind of reminds me of a combo of young Blake Griffin & young Chris Webber.

He has Griffin's explosiveness and Webber's skills/basketball IQ.

[Duke4life831]

Kent Bazemore was All Defense in college. ****, Kobe was on several All Defense teams. Don't confuse blocks and steals steals with consistently good on and off ball defense. Zion is NOT there yet.

As far as jump shooting, he is just not considered a threat from out there right now. Zion eats on bully ball. There is nothing wrong with that, but it generally does not translate well. Thats all I'm saying.

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Where in my post did I point to his steals and blocks as why he is a good defender? I'm a die hard Duke fan, I saw Duke go from the #1 defense in America, drop all the way down to 8th without him. Then since he has returned Duke's defensive efficiency has been climbing and they're at 6th right now.

Duke is an elite defense with Zion on the court, they're an average defense without him. I'm not talking about his steals and blocks, I'm talking about his drastic impact he has on the defense overall.

And when did I say he was considered a 3pt threat? There is a big difference between there being no track record of a guy like Zion getting a jumper, and him being considered a 3pt threat right now. There is a massive list of guys that didn't shoot the 3 anywhere close to how Zion has shot it as freshmen, that then ended up having a reliable 3pt shot.

Whoa there bud. Its a matter of opinion. You said yourself, you're a die hard Duke fan. I'm sure you see things that I don't. I was simply pontificating off of what I've seen myself.

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That's fine that it's your opinion. You're just moving the goal posts is all I'm saying. There is a giant difference between, there is no track record for a guy like him getting a jumper. To he isn't a threat from 3 right now. I agree with the second thing 100%, the first thing didn't make sense because there is a long list of guys who shot the ball worse and still ended up as guys that can shoot.

And the defense thing, all I'm saying is I'm not calling him a really good defender because the highlight plays. I'm calling him a good defense because of the overall impact.

[tarantism]

Where in my post did I point to his steals and blocks as why he is a good defender? I'm a die hard Duke fan, I saw Duke go from the #1 defense in America, drop all the way down to 8th without him. Then since he has returned Duke's defensive efficiency has been climbing and they're at 6th right now.

Duke is an elite defense with Zion on the court, they're an average defense without him. I'm not talking about his steals and blocks, I'm talking about his drastic impact he has on the defense overall.

And when did I say he was considered a 3pt threat? There is a big difference between there being no track record of a guy like Zion getting a jumper, and him being considered a 3pt threat right now. There is a massive list of guys that didn't shoot the 3 anywhere close to how Zion has shot it as freshmen, that then ended up having a reliable 3pt shot.

Whoa there bud. Its a matter of opinion. You said yourself, you're a die hard Duke fan. I'm sure you see things that I don't. I was simply pontificating off of what I've seen myself.

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That's fine that it's your opinion. You're just moving the goal posts is all I'm saying. There is a giant difference between, there is no track record for a guy like him getting a jumper. To he isn't a threat from 3 right now. I agree with the second thing 100%, the first thing didn't make sense because there is a long list of guys who shot the ball worse and still ended up as guys that can shoot.

Thats fine, I get what you're saying. What I opine is that Zion needs to get a jump shot to be a superstar and I don't want us to simply assume that is going to happen. Not that it WON'T! It remains to be seen.

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[Duke4life831]

Whoa there bud. Its a matter of opinion. You said yourself, you're a die hard Duke fan. I'm sure you see things that I don't. I was simply pontificating off of what I've seen myself.

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That's fine that it's your opinion. You're just moving the goal posts is all I'm saying. There is a giant difference between, there is no track record for a guy like him getting a jumper. To he isn't a threat from 3 right now. I agree with the second thing 100%, the first thing didn't make sense because there is a long list of guys who shot the ball worse and still ended up as guys that can shoot.

Thats fine, I get what you're saying. What I opine is that Zion needs to get a jump shot to be a superstar and I don't want us to simply assume that is going to happen. Not that it WON'T! It remains to be seen.

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I agree with that 100%. I'm not one saying his floor is Blake Griffin or Barkley. I think he can be an all star without a jumper, but if he is to become a superstar and this game changer on the next level, I agree he needs a jumper.

[tarantism]

That's fine that it's your opinion. You're just moving the goal posts is all I'm saying. There is a giant difference between, there is no track record for a guy like him getting a jumper. To he isn't a threat from 3 right now. I agree with the second thing 100%, the first thing didn't make sense because there is a long list of guys who shot the ball worse and still ended up as guys that can shoot.

Thats fine, I get what you're saying. What I opine is that Zion needs to get a jump shot to be a superstar and I don't want us to simply assume that is going to happen. Not that it WON'T! It remains to be seen.

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I agree with that 100%. I'm not one saying his floor is Blake Griffin or Barkley. I think he can be an all star without a jumper, but if he is to become a superstar and this game changer on the next level, I agree he needs a jumper.

Agreed. Also I'm perfectly ready to be proven wrong about it. I'm simply basing my projection on what I've seen. Good talking to ya.

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[LeStud]

Coming out of UNLV Larry Johnson was absolutely a comparable athlete. He wasn’t the lumbering below the rim mid-range guy you probably remember from his Knicks days. He was built like a tank and could defend and played well above the rim. His knees and back eventually succumbed to pounding they took from having to carry all that weight, and he was about 30 pounds lighter than Zion.

Great athlete but not in the realm of Zion. Lots of guys play above the rim. Zion is a once every 20 years speciman.

What proof do you have that any of those injuries had anything related to Larry Johnsons style of play or weight? Lots of players get back and knee injuries. Lots of small short guards big lumbering centers and everything in between. Its a huge stretch tojust assume things like that

Well common sense for one. I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a heavy guy that is constantly jumping and landing that it will eventually have an effect on the joints and cartilage in his knees and back. Like you said, you see it in heavy players and lighter players. Common sense will tell you that the players that are heavier though are going to have most wear and tear.

Also what proof do you have that those injuries weren’t related to Johnson’s style of play?

Here is a good article I found about LJ. It talks about him being able to explode to the rim for dunks and talks about the two herniated disks in his lower back and how he had to change his game completely. He still had a decent career but was never the explosive player he was before the injury to his back.

https://www.si.com/vault/1994/10/10/132207/back-to-basics-larry-johnson-is-trying-to-restore-his-damaged-body-and-tainted-image-to-nba-all-star-form?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20190317

This poster doesn't believe in common sense. People point to LBJ, who's taller and came into the league @ ~240 lbs, and most importantly is an anomaly on epic proportions. Zion is shorter and ~30lbs heavier.

[bennjuiced34]

Every height/length/shooting metric and trend burned into some of your heads needs to be thrown out the window for this kid.

His combo of strength, explosiveness, agility is unmatched. Maybe ever. And before anyone says LeBron...he never had this type of short area explosion, COD and agility. Different type of athlete, even though LeBron was/is still a freak of nature and one of the most amazing physical specimens of all time. Zion moves like a guard which is absolutely insane for his size.

Then you add on a sublime package of skills on both ends, high IQ, great motor and you're looking at a generational prospect.

The hype is real. He's making players in one of the best basketball conferences look like children. The 'these aren't NBA guys though' narrative was the same one thrown around about Doncic when he was smoking dudes in Europe.

If you want to talk about health/longevity questions or if he's going to be able to develop a jump shot, let's do it because those are valid.

If you don't think this kid is a certifiable stud that is gonna wreck the league though, I suggest you re-evaluate because there's still time and you're on the wrong side of fate. Traits and skills ALWAYS play up. ALWAYS. He's got both in spades.

We've never seen a player like this and I think that's some of the problem too. He's being boxed into Barkley, LJ, Randle, Kemp, Griffin comparisons when none of those players are comparable to what Zion is or does. Athletically or skill wise. We're talking about a player with the potential to guard 1-5 and be dominant at it. He also has point forward upside and elite finishing ability in both half court and transition.

My comparison? Some combo of Shaq (physicality/strength), Rose (explosion/body control/agility/team 1st attitude), Westbrook (motor and tenacity). And even that comparison probably isn't accurate. He's a unicorn. A break the mold type talent that will revolutionize his position/skillset.

Some of you won't listen and that's fine. It'll just be fun to go through threads like this once everyone recognizes he's the real deal. Kind of like the NBA Draft thread on this board. I read through the early parts of it and had a chuckle at some of the takes. In fact that's a good idea. Go read that thread and see how off people were about him pre-Duke.

[brianmc]

Take it easy...he's only 18. Skills and experience comes with age. Do you remember how Giannis looked like first year in the league?

And how many players there are that had Giannis' improvement curve? He is more the exception than the rule.And Giannis was always a good passer/facilitator, I don't see that in Zion.

I'm not saying that he will be a bust. He is a great prospect, I just don't see him being in the tier 1 of superstars.

Well that's the rub, isn't it? Giannis is super tall/long and came into the league with a higher level feel for the game and the ability to facilitate for his teammates. Zion simply does not possess those skills. Like I said, I feel like a cynical dick, but I'm just not seeing it here. Zion has all of the athleticism you'd want. I think that blinds people in some cases, including this one.

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Zion doesn't facilitate for his teammates? did you see that Magic Johnson like pass to Tre Jones last night? He doesn't have a "feel for the game"? He's pretty good at getting steals. His feel for the game is one of his best qualities right now. He's smart. Great instincts. Great motor at a ridiculous size. Intense competitor.

The only argument against Zion being an elite top 5 NBA talent is his jumper but he's 18 years old. And his size which is unprecedented .. he's too disciplined to let his weight get out of control. He's not fat. If his body fails him, it will be because of of an injury. Not by him being Sean May eating everything in sight.

He has time to work out the kinks on the J but when you have a body like he does with the first step quickness he does, you don't always have to throw up jumpers.

[brianmc]

Every height/length/shooting metric and trend burned into some of your heads needs to be thrown out the window for this kid.

His combo of strength, explosiveness, agility is unmatched. Maybe ever. And before anyone says LeBron...he never had this type of short area explosion, COD and agility. Different type of athlete, even though LeBron was/is still a freak of nature and one of the most amazing physical specimens of all time. Zion moves like a guard which is absolutely insane for his size.

Then you add on a sublime package of skills on both ends, high IQ, great motor and you're looking at a generational prospect.

The hype is real. He's making players in one of the best basketball conferences look like children. The 'these aren't NBA guys though' narrative was the same one thrown around about Doncic when he was smoking dudes in Europe.

If you want to talk about health/longevity questions or if he's going to be able to develop a jump shot, let's do it because those are valid.

If you don't think this kid is a certifiable stud that is gonna wreck the league though, I suggest you re-evaluate because there's still time and you're on the wrong side of fate. Traits and skills ALWAYS play up. ALWAYS. He's got both in spades.

We've never seen a player like this and I think that's some of the problem too. He's being boxed into Barkley, LJ, Randle, Kemp, Griffin comparisons when none of those players are comparable to what Zion is or does. Athletically or skill wise. We're talking about a player with the potential to guard 1-5 and be dominant at it. He also has point forward upside and elite finishing ability in both half court and transition.

My comparison? Some combo of Shaq (physicality/strength), Rose (explosion/body control/agility/team 1st attitude), Westbrook (motor and tenacity). And even that comparison probably isn't accurate. He's a unicorn. A break the mold type talent that will revolutionize his position/skillset.

Some of you won't listen and that's fine. It'll just be fun to go through threads like this once everyone recognizes he's the real deal. Kind of like the NBA Draft thread on this board. I read through the early parts of it and had a chuckle at some of the takes. In fact that's a good idea. Go read that thread and see how off people were about him pre-Duke.

Zion running point would look a lot like Anthony Mason. He was about 20 lbs lighter.. almost same height. He didn't have Zion's athletic ability though.

[Green89]

Most players gain weight in their first few seasons. He can't afford to gain any. I don't think his build will translate well in the league, nor do I believe he can maintain it and remain injury free during an 82 game season. Do we really think someone his weight can play 30 minutes per game night in and night out? How many NBA players under 7 feet and over 250 pounds play 30+ minutes per game? To be a superstar, you have to play 30+ minutes and I just don't see him doing that.

[Bluewaterheaven]

I am seeing a combination of Shawn Kemp, Chris Paul, and Shawn Livingston

[afarmenian]

Coming out of UNLV Larry Johnson was absolutely a comparable athlete. He wasn’t the lumbering below the rim mid-range guy you probably remember from his Knicks days. He was built like a tank and could defend and played well above the rim. His knees and back eventually succumbed to pounding they took from having to carry all that weight, and he was about 30 pounds lighter than Zion.

Great athlete but not in the realm of Zion. Lots of guys play above the rim. Zion is a once every 20 years speciman.

What proof do you have that any of those injuries had anything related to Larry Johnsons style of play or weight? Lots of players get back and knee injuries. Lots of small short guards big lumbering centers and everything in between. Its a huge stretch tojust assume things like that

Well common sense for one. I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a heavy guy that is constantly jumping and landing that it will eventually have an effect on the joints and cartilage in his knees and back. Like you said, you see it in heavy players and lighter players. Common sense will tell you that the players that are heavier though are going to have most wear and tear.

Also what proof do you have that those injuries weren’t related to Johnson’s style of play?

Here is a good article I found about LJ. It talks about him being able to explode to the rim for dunks and talks about the two herniated disks in his lower back and how he had to change his game completely. He still had a decent career but was never the explosive player he was before the injury to his back.

https://www.si.com/vault/1994/10/10/132207/back-to-basics-larry-johnson-is-trying-to-restore-his-damaged-body-and-tainted-image-to-nba-all-star-form?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20190317

But again just something should be true does not make it true. By that logic lebron should have gotten injured way more often than he has. He is an inch taller and probably topped out at 270 at times. I mean you are posting an article about what happened like its new information. Are you a medical doctor? Do you have his charts? Do you have anything to correlate being big and explosive with more injuries compared to the general pop of nba players? Yes thank you nice article but we knew he got injured. Its the why that we care about. I saw somethings about his eating habits that had me intrigued more than anything.

[rockmanslim]

Read on Twitter

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Watch on YouTube

[VanWest82]

If Zion can't keep his weight down in the pros he's likely going to have injury issues long-term. That shouldn't be a controversial statement. The part that is controversial is assuming that he won't be able to keep his weight in check. It's one thing to get a little big as a teenager or in your first year out of the house where you get to make all your own dietary decisions. It's another thing when you're on an NBA team with team with nutritionists and team prepared meals and tens of millions of dollars at stake.

Zion is a human wrecking ball. It's more likely that he'll be the one causing injuries than the one getting injured.

[Sprewell4Three]

The hype is concerning me, like it’s got to be getting out of hand at least a little, bit I will say I really liked his comments after last nights game how he appreciated people’s advice but he wasn’t going to let his teammates down. Him coming back to play makes me think positively of him as teammate and a competitor - so that’s a good sign.

Man up, you’ll be fine. Let people hype him up. If he doesn’t live up to the hype, he word will continue.

[Mr B]

Great athlete but not in the realm of Zion. Lots of guys play above the rim. Zion is a once every 20 years speciman.

What proof do you have that any of those injuries had anything related to Larry Johnsons style of play or weight? Lots of players get back and knee injuries. Lots of small short guards big lumbering centers and everything in between. Its a huge stretch tojust assume things like that

Well common sense for one. I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a heavy guy that is constantly jumping and landing that it will eventually have an effect on the joints and cartilage in his knees and back. Like you said, you see it in heavy players and lighter players. Common sense will tell you that the players that are heavier though are going to have most wear and tear.

Also what proof do you have that those injuries weren’t related to Johnson’s style of play?

Here is a good article I found about LJ. It talks about him being able to explode to the rim for dunks and talks about the two herniated disks in his lower back and how he had to change his game completely. He still had a decent career but was never the explosive player he was before the injury to his back.

https://www.si.com/vault/1994/10/10/132207/back-to-basics-larry-johnson-is-trying-to-restore-his-damaged-body-and-tainted-image-to-nba-all-star-form?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20190317

But again just something should be true does not make it true. By that logic lebron should have gotten injured way more often than he has. He is an inch taller and probably topped out at 270 at times. I mean you are posting an article about what happened like its new information. Are you a medical doctor? Do you have his charts? Do you have anything to correlate being big and explosive with more injuries compared to the general pop of nba players? Yes thank you nice article but we knew he got injured. Its the why that we care about. I saw somethings about his eating habits that had me intrigued more than anything.

Someone asked for an article to be posted so I posted one. Like you said, it’s not new information so I find it strange that people would think that the same thing could happen to Zion if he doesn’t get his weight down. Could he be another anomaly like Labron? Sure he could. I never said it was a guarantee that he WILL get injured. I’m saying that his chances are increased that he could get injured because of his weight. There are very few Labron’s in this world.

[afarmenian]

Well common sense for one. I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a heavy guy that is constantly jumping and landing that it will eventually have an effect on the joints and cartilage in his knees and back. Like you said, you see it in heavy players and lighter players. Common sense will tell you that the players that are heavier though are going to have most wear and tear.

Also what proof do you have that those injuries weren’t related to Johnson’s style of play?

Here is a good article I found about LJ. It talks about him being able to explode to the rim for dunks and talks about the two herniated disks in his lower back and how he had to change his game completely. He still had a decent career but was never the explosive player he was before the injury to his back.

https://www.si.com/vault/1994/10/10/132207/back-to-basics-larry-johnson-is-trying-to-restore-his-damaged-body-and-tainted-image-to-nba-all-star-form?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20190317

But again just something should be true does not make it true. By that logic lebron should have gotten injured way more often than he has. He is an inch taller and probably topped out at 270 at times. I mean you are posting an article about what happened like its new information. Are you a medical doctor? Do you have his charts? Do you have anything to correlate being big and explosive with more injuries compared to the general pop of nba players? Yes thank you nice article but we knew he got injured. Its the why that we care about. I saw somethings about his eating habits that had me intrigued more than anything.

Someone asked for an article to be posted so I posted one. Like you said, it’s not new information so I find it strange that people would think that the same thing could happen to Zion if he doesn’t get his weight down. Could he be another anomaly like Labron? Sure he could. I never said it was a guarantee that he WILL get injured. I’m saying that his chances are increased that he could get injured because of his weight. There are very few Labron’s in this world.

Well of course he cant just continue to put on weight exponentially. Its also true that there is probably an ideal weight for him to be. There are few Lebron's but my point is there are so few Zion's as well. I find it strange that people try to correlate one player to another just because they both kind of look similar have muscles and jump high. It's like comparing Durant and Ingram and saying oh well Ingram is going to have these foot problems because look at Durant. Statistics and correlation do not work with these one off comparisons. Larry Bird had chronic back problems why not make a comparison there?

[LakerLegend]

Why is everyone saying he's 6-5 when he's listed 6-7 on Duke's roster?

[TurboTitan]

Hes a combination of young shaq and Blake Griffin