Rick Carlisle On Zion Williamson: 'A Shaquille O'Neal-Type Force' With Point Guard Skills

[RealGM Wiretap]

Rick Carlisle compared Zion Williamson to Shaquille O'Neal following the Dallas Mavericks' 112-103 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Williamson scored 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting, while adding six rebounds and five assists.

Williamson also took 18 free throws in the game.

"He's an unusual force and obviously a great player ... it presents huge challenges for the defense and for officials. He is just creating collisions out there. This is a Shaquille O'Neal-type force of nature with a point guard skill set," said Carlisle.

Williamson also became the first player since O'Neal in 1995-96 to have four straight games of scoring at least 25 points with over 65% shooting.

Williamson added that his focus was only on making the right plays.

"I want to make the best play that's going to help us win. Sometimes, that's knowing when to shoot it and when not to shoot it. When to make the pass and when not to make the pass. I just want to win. It's as simple as that."

Via Andrew Lopez/ESPN

[Theo Ratliff]

Terrible comparison and not someone you want to be compared to in the modern NBA. He should also be grabbing a lot more than 7 boards a game.

[phillynative]

Zion is like 6'4

[hyberx]

Rick Carlisle had too much to smoke that day apparently.

Shaq was a powerful 7 footer who was a force to be reckoned with even on his last few seasons in the league. At age 36 he was still scoring 17.8pts with ~61% FG% and 8 boards a game.

Zion is 6'7" on a good day with shoes on and a good 284lb. That kind of weight and reliance on his high-flying athleticism won't do good for him in a long run. Even losing half a step due to either injury or aging will drop his productivity significantly. He will never be the force that Shaq ever was especially in his late-career.