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It’s a Make-or-Break Season for Zion Williamson’s Superstar Status- the ringer
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:09 am
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:09 am
LINK
quote:
Let’s start in a place of truth and vulnerability: I have no idea what to make of Zion Williamson. Six years into a career that was once destined to redefine the laws of gravity, disappointment and dominance are inextricably linked in ways that overshadow each other, depending on the day. Half a decade of highs and lows—he’s missed 208 games in his career, including Sunday’s loss to the Hawks—have formed a messy juxtaposition that’s hard to untangle. Is he a fading revelation? A victim of unfortunate circumstances who was drafted by an organization that’s forever unable to accentuate his gifts or hide his flaws? A 24-year-old colossus who sits on the doorstep of becoming a household name thanks to athletic gifts that few in basketball history have ever possessed? Or, considering all the hype and attention Williamson’s basked in since day one, is he simply not as disruptive as everyone thought he would be?
All those questions may be answered sooner rather than later, in what feels like a make-or-break season for Zion’s on-court reputation. Coming off a season in which he missed only a dozen games but didn’t come particularly close to cracking the All-Star or All-NBA team, we may be nearing a stage in his career when his availability is no longer the most appropriate way to frame the talking points, excuses, and criticism around him. Instead, it’s probably more relevant to explore whether Zion is productive enough to be a franchise player at all, injured or not.
quote:
It leads to predictability and a maddening internal conflict. Sometimes he’s too passive; sometimes he’s too obstinate and impatient, attacking a crowd that knows he wants to put his head down and forge ahead with his dominant hand. Per Sportradar, so far this season, Zion is tied for ending the most plays driving to his left than any other player, while a league-high 16 of his shots have been blocked. Striking that right balance isn’t easy, but the Pelicans need it every night. And at the end of the day, regardless of whatever unfortunate circumstance they find themselves in, that’s what superstars do. Soon enough, we’ll know whether Zion is one
8
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:16 am to cgrand
They are not wrong.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:17 am to cgrand
quote:
Or, considering all the hype and attention Williamson’s basked in since day one, is he simply not as disruptive as everyone thought he would be?
Correct.
He's never had to work for anything really.
He went to a private school for HS and was surrounded by white HS kids...
He went to Dook where a bunch of white college kids gauked at him.
Then was dubbed "next" so then a franchise was forced to draft him in order to sell tickets because their franchise was falling apart and needed to have a "turn the page" moment, but instead got a guy that wanted nothing to do with the NOLA market etc.
Fit means everything in life. The pics of Zion at the McDonalds AA game then towards the Dook/1st Season of the NBA are pretty crazy. His body and where he was mentally during the McDonalds AA game was where everyone projected him...but he spiraled and got influenced by alot of wrong people.
It's not easy when you are the freak at the freakshow...but damn, a change of scenery would do him wonders. Hopefully the Pels do whats best for both sides and can gather some assets by moving Zion before its too late.
This post was edited on 11/4/24 at 10:18 am
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:20 am to cgrand
quote:
Coming off a season in which he missed only a dozen games but didn’t come particularly close to cracking the All-Star or All-NBA team
This is a pretty damning statement against Zion.
I think people just forget this fact right here and how pathetic that is for someoe who's supposed to be a superstar.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:42 am to cgrand
Feels like this has been said every season since his second one and if he actually makes it through uninjured he just turns in a good season, but nowhere close to superstar level.
He's a guy that would be an incredible 2nd man a la Anthony Davis (both have the same injury problems) but expecting him to be the one leading your team to a championship simply isn't realistic. He puts up consistently good numbers when healthy but has never shown that killer instinct or takeover level of talent.
He's a guy that would be an incredible 2nd man a la Anthony Davis (both have the same injury problems) but expecting him to be the one leading your team to a championship simply isn't realistic. He puts up consistently good numbers when healthy but has never shown that killer instinct or takeover level of talent.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 10:51 am to Thundercles
quote:
Per Sportradar, so far this season, Zion is tied for ending the most plays driving to his left than any other player, while a league-high 16 of his shots have been blocked.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:00 am to Thundercles
quote:
but has never shown that killer instinct or takeover level of talent.
I'm so tired of your dumbass takes. He literally scored 16 in the 4th quarter of the last game he played and has won many games for us by taking over late.
Argue consistency. To say he never has just shows your lack of knowledge.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:06 am to whatiknowsofar
quote:
quote:
but has never shown that killer instinct or takeover level of talent.
I'm so tired of your dumbass takes. He literally scored 16 in the 4th quarter of the last game he played and has won many games for us by taking over late.
Argue consistency. To say he never has just shows your lack of knowledge.
So how many playoff wins has Zion willed the Pelicans to if he's such a closer?
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:15 am to Thundercles
quote:
He's a guy that would be an incredible 2nd man a la Anthony Davis (both have the same injury problems) but expecting him to be the one leading your team to a championship simply isn't realistic. He puts up consistently good numbers when healthy but has never shown that killer instinct or takeover level of talent.
I agree with your premise that he’s better as a 2nd star and not primary, but I don’t agree with your reason why. I think he has shown flashes of the guy with a killer instinct that want to take over and will his team to victory. The issue is he’s not a shot maker, when he has the ball the defense knows what’s coming, he’s not able to create like true superstars can. If you can stop his one trick, he doesn’t really have a counter, tough to close out a game when everyone knows what you’re about to do.
Now, you could argue that if he put more work into his game he could change that, but I don’t think it’s an in the moment lack of instinct issue.
This post was edited on 11/4/24 at 11:16 am
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:25 am to cgrand
quote:
league-high 16 of his shots have been blocked
This, to me, is the scary part. If he can't attack the rim at will, what's left?
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:31 am to Thundercles
quote:
So how many playoff wins has Zion willed the Pelicans to if he's such a closer?
Shift the goalposts all you want. You're wrong about him never showing any takeover ability. This question proves it.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:42 am to whatiknowsofar
In fairness, where do you add the games where he completely disappears after getting punched in the mouth? Sure, he has some games where he takes over, but he has never brought that will and intensity night in, night out. Until he brings that shite every day, he will be a major disappointment and poster child of squandered talent. Frankly, I've talked myself off this ledge the last three years. I'm about ready to jump.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:45 am to cgrand
All of this would change if he just stopped being fat. Duke Zion was a freak because he was 25lbs lighter.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:46 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
where do you add the games where he completely disappears after getting punched in the mouth?
Argue consistency. Thunderdumbass said he never takes over, and that's not true and completely disingenuous
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:48 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
when Williamson is on the court, the Pelicans hardly ever feature the same amount of spacing that other stars around the league enjoy.
He causes his own spacing issues. Frankly, the only time we consistently have major spacing issues is when Zion is on the court.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:48 am to J_Hingle
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:48 am to whatiknowsofar
Fair enough, I was focused more on his "killer instinct" comment, which I think is 100% accurate.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:51 am to Galactic Inquisitor
Yeah, we have to ignore the potential of Duke Zion, because he destroyed that version of himself. He will never be what we all thought he would be 6 years ago. Move forward knowing he may max out at 75% peak potential or worse, because his body is absolutely worse for the wear.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 11:52 am to Galactic Inquisitor
Downvote this one, too, please.
Posted on 11/4/24 at 12:11 pm to whatiknowsofar
quote:
Argue consistency.
That's been my and many other's biggest gripe, which is why it was so dumb when you and others were calling people out after Zion's game against Indiana.
No one intelligent is arguing that Zion can't produce games like that, we've seen it before and we'll see it again. The issue is that he has hardly ever strung performances of that caliber together.
It's pretty much always been elite game, stinker, decent game, out for B2B, lather, rinse repeat.
We simply need him to be more consistent for any of this to work around him and it just hasn't happen and I think many, yourself included, are beginning to come to terms with the fact that it may never happen.
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