"He's Only 21"

Unsurprisingly most national media pundits want to lay all of this at the feet of the Pelicans organization and the city while excuse making for Zion. At the outset I will say I don't have an issue necessarily with the age argument. Things like missing rehab sessions, falling asleep in film study, and not showing the standard decorum to CJ are bad, but not necessarily unheard of from rooks and young players. Most players don't come in with knowledge of how to take care of their bodies or how to be a professional. However I think it's disingenuous as frick to make that argument and then turn around and say the Pels making mistakes the first few seasons is a rational justification for his behavior. Fact is most teams who get the first pick are trash and very often stay trash for years. Coming together quickly and batting 1000 are the rare exceptions. Griff made multiple mistakes and even with the successes this year should be under scrutiny, but who is Zion to judge Griff? Is it because he cared about his long term health in a meaningless regular season game that he wasn't in shape for? Or because he played him the Piano? Most players who ask out have at least paid their dues. If Zion isn't ready to be the guy who fricking cares if the Pels aren't ready to compete.