The 2019-2020 Zion Williamson thread

[clyde21]

Zion out for the preseason finale due to knee soreness per ESPN.

He needs to lose some weight, make it easier on his whole body but especially his knees on down.

But maybe it's just the Pels giving him the night off?

most likely

[eminence]

Really I should just remember who I'm chatting with. You're a hype man unparalleled Clyde.

[MisterHibachi]

Zion out for the preseason finale due to knee soreness per ESPN.

He needs to lose some weight, make it easier on his whole body but especially his knees on down.

But maybe it's just the Pels giving him the night off?

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[clyde21]

Really I should just remember who I'm chatting with. You're a hype man unparalleled Clyde.

lol touche

[Funcrusher]

I’m gonna throw out a rather crazy offensive comparison: big 3 Dwayne Wade.

We’ll start with the obvious: he doesn’t have Wade’s mid range game and he isn’t a half court ball handler.

That said, the way the dude moves off ball and sort of glides through the lane evading multiple bodies and knocking big men out of the way with those acrobatic finishes is absolutely Wade-esque. His transition handling and the way he just imposes his will on the game through sheer physical force remind me so much of Wade and he’s already got a comparable arsenal of up fakes, hook shots, and turnarounds from about 8 feet in as Wade. His power and speed especially at his size is unprecedented and if he leans out a bit I could see him matching Wade’s motor/activity level, just making plays all over the floor.

I actually had that thought the other day, glad you posted this.

Wouldn't you say big 3 Dwayne wade had lost a big chunk of his explosiveness already though? Or are you using that comparison due to the offball play and because his younger self was on ball a lot more and operated in the pnr a lot so you don't like that playstyle comparison to zion?

Mostly because of the play style. After LeBron came on board Wade worked a lot more out of curls where he could catch and attack off the dribble and the like. I see a lot of Zion coming around screens to build up a head of steam going to the basket using a few of the same actions Miami used to run.

The more diminished Wade I think is a good comp for Zion athletically. Zion is just never going to have the straight line acceleration young Wade did. But his patience, strength, craft and balance remind me a lot of how Wade used to score around the basket after he lost a little bit of a step.

You don't think Zion is an equal run/jump athlete to early Wade? I'm surprised to see you say that.

[Dr Spaceman]

I actually had that thought the other day, glad you posted this.

Wouldn't you say big 3 Dwayne wade had lost a big chunk of his explosiveness already though? Or are you using that comparison due to the offball play and because his younger self was on ball a lot more and operated in the pnr a lot so you don't like that playstyle comparison to zion?

Mostly because of the play style. After LeBron came on board Wade worked a lot more out of curls where he could catch and attack off the dribble and the like. I see a lot of Zion coming around screens to build up a head of steam going to the basket using a few of the same actions Miami used to run.

The more diminished Wade I think is a good comp for Zion athletically. Zion is just never going to have the straight line acceleration young Wade did. But his patience, strength, craft and balance remind me a lot of how Wade used to score around the basket after he lost a little bit of a step.

You don't think Zion is an equal run/jump athlete to early Wade? I'm surprised to see you say that.

No I don’t. Laterally he moves as well as Wade but Wade’s first step explosion was the greatest ever or top 3 at the very least. In a straight line sprint over a short distance I think Wade easily wins. There’s no shame in that though

That said Zion is his equal or better in other athletic markers like strength, lateral explosion, hangitime, how quickly he gets into his jump etc. I always said Jordan’s most underrated athletic trait was how quickly he exploded into his max vert often wa before the shot blocker could even load up. Zion is a similarly quick leaper and might be one of the best two-foot jumpers I’ve ever seen.

[toodles23]

I'm having flashbacks to the Blake Griffin situation in 2009 when he hurt himself at the end of the preseason and was expected to miss a couple of months, and ended up getting surgery and missed the season. Really hoping the Pelicans take the long term approach with this and don't try to rush him back before he's 100%.

[The High Cyde]

They need to throw the year.

[Texas Chuck]

Really hoping the Pelicans take the long term approach with this and don't try to rush him back before he's 100%.

Can't imagine he gets on the court if they aren't 100% sure he's good.

I sure hope this isn't a harbinger, but this risk was always part of his story.

This may be a blessing for the Pels as they can take a closer look at some guys they have to make decisions on sooner. Let Ingram have massive usage so they learn paying him would be a giant mistake.

[Buckets22]

I'm calling it - Bust. Next Marcus Fizer.

[Dr Spaceman]

The short recovery time is actually bad news here. It means they’re cutting out part of the meniscus. They don’t do this anymore unless the tear is in the non-healing zone.

Reducing the meniscus often leads to much higher risk of knee issues later in the career. Dwyane Wade and Amar’e are good examples of this. Zion can still have a very healthy, productive career of course but this is a major red flag as far as his long-term prospects are concerned unfortunately.

[Dr Spaceman]

The short recovery time is actually bad news here. It means they’re cutting out part of the meniscus. They don’t do this anymore unless the tear is in the non-healing zone.

Reducing the meniscus often leads to much higher risk of knee issues later in the career. Dwyane Wade and Amar’e are good examples of this. Zion can still have a very healthy, productive career of course but this is a major red flag as far as his long-term prospects are concerned unfortunately.

[MyUniBroDavis]

The short recovery time is actually bad news here. It means they’re cutting out part of the meniscus. They don’t do this anymore unless the tear is in the non-healing zone.

Reducing the meniscus often leads to much higher risk of knee issues later in the career. Dwyane Wade and Amar’e are good examples of this. Zion can still have a very healthy, productive career of course but this is a major red flag as far as his long-term prospects are concerned unfortunately.

Wade had his entire meniscus removed and stoudemire had a microfracture or something and was out for like 6 months tho, so i think theyres were a bit different

[clyde21]

I'm calling it - Bust. Next Marcus Fizer.

and when you're wrong, we taking bets?

[clyde21]

i still think Zion wins ROTY if he comes back and plays 60+ games

[Dr Spaceman]

i still think Zion wins ROTY if he comes back and plays 60+ games

I think so too especially after the fiasco with Brogdon winning over Embiid. Different circumstances but if Zion looks like the clear best player and future prospect I think he wins it.

[shakes0]

i still think Zion wins ROTY if he comes back and plays 60+ games

I agree, but how is he going to get to 60 games? they said 6-8 weeks, let's assume it's at least 8 given how Zion has been treated so far in the past 2 years regarding injury recovery. I actually expect it to be longer than 8 assuming he needs some additional time to get into playing shape.


I didn't look at the schedule, would he have enough time to get in 60 games if he gets back in 8 weeks?

[clyde21]

i still think Zion wins ROTY if he comes back and plays 60+ games

I agree, but how is he going to get to 60 games? they said 6-8 weeks, let's assume it's at least 8 given how Zion has been treated so far in the past 2 years regarding injury recovery. I actually expect it to be longer than 8 assuming he needs some additional time to get into playing shape.


I didn't look at the schedule, would he have enough time to get in 60 games if he gets back in 8 weeks?

nah, if he does the full 8 weeks he'd miss 31 games