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What single aspect of Zion's game should he focus on in the offseason?

Posted on 3/20/25 at 9:42 pm
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49962 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 9:42 pm
Assume that none of our current players get traded, Murray comes back midseason at ~90% of what he was pre-injury, and Herb/Trey are fine. That's a somewhat optimistic outlook, but we'll make up for it by ignoring whichever talent draft pick that we add.

Also assume that Zion starts off the 2025/26 season in similar shape to what he's at now (I really think that this will happen). So if you can force him (potentially at gunpoint) to spend an insane amount of the offseason improving in the area of your choice, what would that involve? Again, ONE area (not "work on each of x, y, and z").

Free throws are an obvious issue, and working on this would likely improve his midrange/deep shooting.

Zion adding a ~36% three point shot would be impressive, and help open things up for the offense. That's especially the case if he can shoot a good percentage on pull-up shots while running the offense. Focusing on midrange shots may be a better idea than the 3's. Either way, given the way that he commands the offense, he probably shouldn't waste time practicing catch-and-shoot efficiency. Even if he's camping out in the corner or elbow and takes in a pass while wide open, he's going to look to drive. If the defender gives him space and dares him to shoot, he's not going to do it until at least 2-3 seconds/dribbles after he gets the pass.

He's not a good rebounder, but I'm not sure how you improve that.

I'm too casual of a fan to really pick apart his defensive issues. To me, they seem mostly based on how engaged he is and how fat he is. You can't expect him to play Herb level defense given his responsibilities on the offensive end. But I've seen him (as well as Trey) play lengthy stretches of really good defense. They have the ability to do it. Maybe you gentlemen see some obvious areas to improve on.

Personally, I'd lean towards having our expert medical staff removing his left arm for a few months while he practices his handle, then re-attaching it shortly before training camp. Have someone like Derek Zoolander (an expert on going/turning right until he was absolutely forced to go left) work with Zion on his right-handed drives/handle. As titillating as Zion adding a jumper/3 is, he'd have to be pretty great at those shots for them to be worthwhile. He'll absolutely need to work on his shooting as he ages/slows down, but he looks about as spry as ever currently. And I know that I said working on his already elite skills have diminishing returns, but Zion becoming an ambi-driver (left or right) won't just help his short range game, but it opens up a lot of assist opportunities.



Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
171744 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 9:43 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 3/20/25 at 9:55 pm
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49962 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 9:48 pm to
quote:

Handle and free throws



quote:

Again, ONE area (not "work on each of x, y, and z").


You responded so quickly that I suspect that you didn't read my post. But if that was one of your multitude of (typically shitty) jokes that you were hoping managed to stick, I actually chuckled, so props.
This post was edited on 3/20/25 at 9:50 pm
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
171744 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 9:54 pm to
quote:

You responded so quickly that I suspect that you didn't read my post. But if that was one of your multitude of (typically shitty) jokes that you were hoping managed to stick, I actually chuckled, so props.


You on your fricking period or what douchebag.
Posted by Hammond Tiger Fan
Hammond
Member since Oct 2007
16352 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:01 pm to
He needs to work on his jumper. He will be a more complete player if he adds a midrange jumper to his game.

If I was guarding Zion, I would back off and sag close to the paint, wait for him to drive, and have him prove his willing and able to hit a jump shot. I don't understand why more people don't play him this way.

Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49962 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:01 pm to
quote:

You on your fricking period or what douchebag.







Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49962 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:08 pm to
quote:

He needs to work on his jumper. He will be a more complete player if he adds a midrange jumper to his game.



It's not a bad idea, and if he could hit a midrange jumper at a reasonable rate, it could somewhat help open things up for him. But if I were defending him, I would still sag off even if he were a good midrange shooter. The Googler AI says that the NBA average shooting % between 15-20ft is 40% (that seems low). It wouldn't tell me the average for "wide open" 15-20ft shots. Either way, he's so good attacking the basket that I question how useful a relatively efficient midrange shot would be for him.
Posted by six4lsu
Member since Sep 2009
322 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:30 pm to
Zion needs to work on his gather and spot up 3's. Defenders know once he gathers its game over and so they are all targeting his pick up. I would say at least 1/3 of his turnovers are on the gather. He needs to develop ways to protect his gather and shield the ball.

Spot up 3's seems to be more of a mental hurdle. Same with free throws. He has excellent touch but it's all focus and confidence. Just attempting 2-3 3 pointers a game will just make him infinitely harder to guard. It is also a way for him to generate easy uncontested points. Defenders will not extend to guard him out there...so that's an easy 6-9 points a night right there.
Posted by LSUPilot07
Member since Feb 2022
7067 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:43 pm to
Easy, I’d love if he worked on his handle a bit as well as going to his off hand in which Zion’s case is his right hand since he’s a lefty. It would also be great if he worked on some type of mid range shot so teams have to respect him pulling up instead of always crashing the rim. Zion is never going to be a 3 point threat but a 13-17 foot shot is doable.
This post was edited on 3/20/25 at 10:45 pm
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49962 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:45 pm to
quote:

Just attempting 2-3 3 pointers a game will just make him infinitely harder to guard. It is also a way for him to generate easy uncontested points. Defenders will not extend to guard him out there...so that's an easy 6-9 points a night right there.


That's a good point. I've been thinking about how Zion adding a midrange/3pt shot won't necessarily make things easier for him getting into the paint, given that the defenders will almost always back off expecting him to attack the paint. I didn't consider that his elite driving will likely result in a ton of wide-open shots from deep. The issue there is that, given his role on offense, those shots would almost all be from the wings or top of the key, so they won't be easy ones.
Posted by SHMILL
The foothills of CO
Member since Oct 2009
1033 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 11:07 pm to
CALL DAVID WEST.
Posted by Dinky Mulberry
Member since Aug 2021
2144 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 11:13 pm to
quote:

Again, ONE area (not "work on each of x, y, and z").


Not trying to dodge your question but I can either not respond or...not give an honest answer that is only "one area" as you requested...and I like to talk...so...I choose the latter.

JMO: I'm not as high on Zion's overall ability to play a winning brand of basketball...especially when/if he EVER makes it to the playoffs. He has glaring weaknesses in many areas of his game. Next year will be his 7th season in the NBA...and I've see little to no improvement in the several areas where I think he pretty much sux. After this many seasons...it might just be time to accept the fact that "he is...what he is"...

I think the Pelicans waited too long to finally give up on Ingram...and as a result...ended up not being able to get much of anything in return. I could easily see this happening with Zion...maybe not quite as bad...but still, nowhere near what they would like to get. So, I'd say...try & build up his reputation on the court AND make sure & "talk him up" as a potential superstar, when healthy, (whether you believe it or not)....which I think all the folks associated with the Pels have been instructed to do AND I think all are currently doing a very good job of following their instructions.

Then...first chance you have... to get a half-decent return...you unload him.
This post was edited on 3/20/25 at 11:18 pm
Posted by Broski
Member since Jun 2011
76363 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 11:14 pm to
The answer is conditioning before anything else.
Posted by BayouFann
CenLa
Member since Jun 2012
7029 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 11:50 pm to
Make it more available during the season?
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
144345 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 12:19 am to
quote:

What single aspect of Zion's game should he focus on in the offseason?
his weight or lack thereof
Posted by ShamelessPel
Metairie
Member since Apr 2013
12880 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 12:23 am to
He just needs to nail that 10-12 foot pull up jumper. That’s a shot he should be able to hit at 65-70%. It’s there anytime he wants it.
Posted by ShamelessPel
Metairie
Member since Apr 2013
12880 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 12:26 am to
quote:

If I was guarding Zion, I would back off and sag close to the paint, wait for him to drive, and have him prove his willing and able to hit a jump shot. I don't understand why more people don't play him this way.


EVERYONE plays him this way with double and triple team walls at the rim.
Posted by spaghettioeauxs
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2017
2314 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 1:32 am to
Lol Gobert and Randle tried this and Zion went through Gobert’s chest and got an and 1. Talk is talk but Zion is the strongest player in the league and he’s very quick. He’s an absolute nightmare to try to stop, you really can’t, you have to hope he misses.
Posted by BossUp
Member since Mar 2025
98 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 3:28 am to
He is shooting damn near 50% from 5-12 feet and he barely misses when he actually takes a short pull up jumper, his shot also looks very clean and he gets extremely high on the release. It ALWAYS looks like a shot he's been making his whole career.

Also, NO SLASHER IN NBA HISTORY HAS EVER STRUGGLED TO SCORE IN THE PLAYOFFS LMAO.

Never before has their been a player who was a great slasher in the regular season all of a sudden struggle with playoff basketball. Wtf makes you think the person with the best percentages at the basket in NBA history will be the first player to struggle to score in the playoffs?

Rather it's the eye test or you look at percentages, finishing moves, touch, counter ability, back to basket or face up, catching and finishing or driving himself, ZION IS THE BEST SLASHER TO EVER TOUCH A BASKETBALL. If he doesn't continue this for another 6+ years, then he will still have the highest peak as a slasher based on his first 6 years.

The dude is historically good and no other player in the NBA can do what he does. He also CONSTANTLY outplays the best player on the other team.

No matter how hard you try, you can't make a logical argument to use in order to push a "he won't be as good in the post season" type of debate point. What you are trying to say has never happened before in the history of the game and low key, most slashers play BETTER in the post season.

This ain't James Harden.
Posted by BossUp
Member since Mar 2025
98 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 3:56 am to
Statistically, Zion drives to the right 39% of the time he goes to the basket, but somehow, a website named Tiger shite constantly tells themselves that Zion can't drive right, even though he drives to his off hand damn near half of the time lmao.

Every single game he has multiple drives to his right hand, but usually finishes with his left unless he can't get back to it. He finishes with his right 22% of the time he drives.

GUESS WHAT THE AVERAGE IS AROUND THE WHOLE NBA FOR OFF HAND FINISHING..................

fricking 14%.

I don't know how the world got to a point where people see things happen right in front of their faces over and over again, but will go online and argue about how something they see multiple times every single night actually does not happen and needs to be fixed.

No offense to you bro, but Internet delusion gotta be contagious smh
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