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Is Zion miscast?
Posted on 7/18/24 at 11:56 am
Posted on 7/18/24 at 11:56 am
I saw an interview with Rasheed Wallace, talking about Zions potential (LINK
In the interview, he basically said that he views Zion basically as a dunker. I've always thought along the same lines, and thought that once he firmed up he would eventually become more of a power wing.
We always compare him to guys like Barkley, but he's not a rebounder and he doesn't mix it up on the inside. I'd never doubt his power/strength. He doesn't use it that way though. So, is he being used incorrectly?
Disclaimer: I don't think it matters a ton in today's NBA, with usually only one big and a ton of wings. I'm just talking about how we perceive him as a player, as a big..
In the interview, he basically said that he views Zion basically as a dunker. I've always thought along the same lines, and thought that once he firmed up he would eventually become more of a power wing.
We always compare him to guys like Barkley, but he's not a rebounder and he doesn't mix it up on the inside. I'd never doubt his power/strength. He doesn't use it that way though. So, is he being used incorrectly?
Disclaimer: I don't think it matters a ton in today's NBA, with usually only one big and a ton of wings. I'm just talking about how we perceive him as a player, as a big..
Posted on 7/18/24 at 11:58 am to brmark70816
quote:
he doesn't mix it up on the inside
Can you go into more detail about why you think this? Zion is pretty lethal if he has the ball off a board or gets 5ft from the rim.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:01 pm to brmark70816
It's pretty wild, it's almost as if there isn't a positional mold that every single NBA player falls into.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:02 pm to brmark70816
quote:What would be your basis to think that Zion is just a dunker?
he basically said that he views Zion basically as a dunker. I've always thought along the same lines
8% of Zion's buckets are dunks, that is 60th in the NBA.
quote:That is exactly what he is right now.
and thought that once he firmed up he would eventually become more of a power wing.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:06 pm to brmark70816
quote:
We always compare him to guys like Barkley, but he's not a rebounder and he doesn't mix it up on the inside. I'd never doubt his power/strength. He doesn't use it that way though. So, is he being used incorrectly?
He literally gets to the rim using his power/strength almost every time he drives to the basket, which IIRC is 17 times per game.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:22 pm to brmark70816
The issue with Zion has always been injuries and shape/conditioning. When he's in optimal shape which is about 25% of the time he's on the court, he's absolute magic and can display multiple facets of his game at a high level.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:32 pm to supe12sta12z
Zion is one of one when he is in shape. The way he looked in the Laker game before he got hurt, was amazing.
I think the closest comp is Barkley. But Barkley played in a different time. The game has changed.
I do think Barkley would do very well in today's NBA.
I think the closest comp is Barkley. But Barkley played in a different time. The game has changed.
I do think Barkley would do very well in today's NBA.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:40 pm to supe12sta12z
Griff mentioned this explicitly that by the end of the season the team finally got him to buy into the midrange jumper.
Him moving his shot selection to less bowling ball and more 8ft jumper will get him to the finish line
Him moving his shot selection to less bowling ball and more 8ft jumper will get him to the finish line
Posted on 7/18/24 at 12:59 pm to brmark70816
quote:well this is a stupid take. Zion is proven to be unstoppable within 7 feet of the basket. If someone is a career 25ppg on 60% FG percentage while starting a lot of his scoring from 3pt line, then calling him a dunker is lazy. Shaq is who Rasheed should label as a dunker, not zion.
In the interview, he basically said that he views Zion basically as a dunker.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 1:05 pm to brmark70816
quote:
an interview with Rasheed Wallace
Most of these old heads don't know what the frick they're talking about. This Zion take is one of the examples.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 1:07 pm to whatiknowsofar
quote:
Can you go into more detail about why you think this? Zion is pretty lethal if he has the ball off a board or gets 5ft from the rim
He's amazing. I'm not doubting his talent. I'm just talking about perception and how it affects his game. There are tons of guards that attack the rim, like he does (Westbrook). I don't think that defines you as a big.
Honestly, I just get geeked up when personalities discuss our team and players. So I was looking for a reason to share. But what he says makes some sense to me. Players try to become what they hear. Zion is always trying to be this dominant front court player (why he stays so heavy). I don't think that's what he is. I'm more concerned this gets pushed with our lack of bigs, where he's forced into that role even more..
Posted on 7/18/24 at 1:17 pm to brmark70816
Zion really only knows how to play one style anyways, don’t think he’s planning on randomly shooting a ton of jumpers. You can take it to the bank Zion will continue to be the best slasher in the league. Anything he adds as far as his jumpshot just makes his drive that much stronger. MVP Zion season incoming.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:02 pm to spaghettioeauxs
Zion has his obvious limitations but he has been miscast as Brandon Ingram’s equal. He is the type of guy we need to build around. I still say we need to go all in around Zion and build the best possible roster around him. That is how he has been miscast.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:04 pm to brmark70816
Zion doesn't even dunk all that often 
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:05 pm to brmark70816
Dunker and short-range scorer supreme are 2 different things. Zion wills his way to the basket, sure, but he will find a way to score anywhere near the paint
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:11 pm to spaghettioeauxs
quote:
Zion really only knows how to play one style anyways,
This is another fricking myth.
He has a very underrated back to the basket game, and can get to the rim at all 3 levels. Efficiently.
He's strong, but also quick and has excellent post footwork
This post was edited on 7/18/24 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:39 pm to brmark70816
Zion is a really, really odd piece. His skillset is fairly unbalanced, so it will always be a struggle to build around him. His next contract terrifies me.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 2:48 pm to whatiknowsofar
quote:
He has a very underrated back to the basket game
Does he?? I watch about 90% of pels games and dont really recall any of his post moves other than baseline spin.
I could be completely wrong here, btw. Just not remembering.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 3:02 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
Zion is a really, really odd piece. His skillset is fairly unbalanced, so it will always be a struggle to build around him
It is but hes also historically elite in a skillset. I would build around that anyday. And its not difficult you surround him with shooters and versatile wings- which is exactly what we’re doing. The last game he played before he got hurt he was scoring at ease over lebron and AD in pivotal game pouring in 40. I understand the caution building around him because of his injuries but I don’t think theres much worry about building around his skillset.
Posted on 7/18/24 at 3:11 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
But let’s extend BI, right?
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