re: Zion in China with Nike

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know we say this a lot and I want to believe this, but he will have to make a massive leap. This past season, he put up 23/6/5. Those are solid numbers, for a good wing. Doncic put up 34/9/10 and he finished 3rd.

You start going through all of the former MVP level guys. Giannis won his 1st MVP at 24 with 28/13/6 plus over a steal and block per game, as an elite defender. Zion has to do more than just score, unless he's going to put up 35+ per game. That's the only way he's sniffing a MVP..

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I agree with this. He will up those assist numbers easily but has to get to at least 7 rebounds.

He can get to 26/7/7 imo if he stays at this weight.

Last season Z was the most ball dominant player on the team and did not lead the team in assists. With the ball more in Murray's control, the most important stats will be rebounds, screens and wins for Z. Stats without wins are meaningless.

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If he's in shape and slimmer, he's gonna be over 28ppg EASILY imo.

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We are about a month from the team reporting and 7ish weeks from the start of the season. He looks ok. I don't think he looks any different from the end of last season and he finished strong, before the injury. I can buy him getting 28-30ppg, if he is highlighted, as he should be.

There are a ton of mouths to feed on the team and Zion is too unselfish at times. That could hold back his numbers, with him trying to fit in. It sounds like a good problem to have but there should be a hierarchy and he shouldn't have to ask for more touches.

As an aside, that video terrifies me. I don't think he's ever getting smaller. He's just naturally too thick. His progression should be to a wing role. He's trying to go the other way..

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I expect him to be over 30ppg this year

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By elite scorer standards, he barely gets to 30 in a game, much less averaging 30


That's why I said he didn't only need to get in shape, he needs to consistently show a mindset he has never consistently showed through 5 seasons.

And it sounds like hating, but we're talking about MVP as the standard, so he's gotta be scrutinized closely if we're comparing him to Jokic/Embiid/Luka/Giannis types.

Before last season, he had like 40+ games over 30 and only like 12 games under 20. He's only shot under 50% in a game like 14-17 times in his whole career.

He averaged 27 in year 2, without the ball in his hands.

30 would not be hard for Z. At all bruh.

LINK

The camel doesn't even look mad about carrying him.

Injuries and having to work back to motion, coaching not starting seasons running the O thru him, ect. There are 20-25 PPG level players and there are 25-30 type dudes, Zion is in that 25-30 class. He takes more shots he's there easily.

I think if he doesn't get hurt year 3 he averages 30 and BI is moved pre 2023. But that's a What If, and this ain't Marvel.

Best slasher in the NBA fam the 30 ball is just a matter of taking more shots. Take more 8-15 footers because he hits them when he shoots them. He would be there.

I don't think BI plays a game for the Pels this year also, that opens it up for the 30.

Did you consider comping a player who is not perpetually injured?