Zion Williamson’s absence from the New Orleans Pelicans has led to tons of speculation about his future. Former teammate JJ Redick did rounds on the ESPN show to talk about Zion’s lack of professionalism, even saying above First that he even talked to Zion in front of the team when he was still playing.
Stephen A. Smith responded by saying “Zion Williamson prayed that he would be drafted by the New York Knicks, that the New York Knicks would get the #1 pick overall… I’ve heard this, but sure enough. not from him… But the bottom line is everyone knows he doesn’t want to go to New Orleans. “
I’m not saying we should suddenly start putting a lot of stock in what Stephen A. says he’s heard from other people, but there’s evidence to back this up. Last April after the Pelicans played the Knicks in New York, Zion was asked how it felt to play at Madison Square Garden. “New York is the mecca of basketball. I love playing here. I played here when I was in college, and this is my first time playing here on the pro team. I mean, this atmosphere you know, whether they’re cheering for you or booing for you, it’s just amazing,” Zion grinned from ear to ear.
That, combined with the fact that the Pelicans emailed their season tickets and didn’t include Zion in the list of notable players on the team, combined with the fact that he didn’t contact CJ McCollum when he’s been traded with combined with the fact that he never competes and doesn’t seem interested in getting fit enough to play, could suggest he wants out.
If he wants to leave New Orleans for New York – and that’s still an “if” because it’s all speculation – then why? The ball situation with the Pelicans was actually quite good. Brandon Ingram is just 24 years old, averaging 22.2 ppg, and has become an all-star team in his youth career. Jonas Valančiūnas is a really good striker who has started shooting (and creating) more triples, wiping the paint off for a player like Zion. They just traded for CJ McCollum, a near All-Star player with an average of 29 ppg since joining the Pelicans.
Despite placing 11th in the conference, this is actually a pretty good lineup. The only obvious flaw is that their best player played just 85 games in his three-season career. I’m all about empowering the player – if he’s playing a full season, this is easily a playoff team. Whether it’s college or pro basketball, players have a short amount of time to play and can make the most of their careers. Whether that means moving to a school where they will have more play time or leaving the team that drafted them to free agency because they feel like it. But I just wonder, why leave all this to the Knicks?
If you’re new to basketball, the Knicks always and always will be bad. Every now and then, the team’s owner, James Dolan, would do something like stop Spike Lee from using his usual entrance and then a prowling witch would cast a spell and make the team terrible for a while. another year to teach him a lesson, which he never learned. The Knicks are 12th in the Eastern Conference and have a track record close to that of the Pelicans. I don’t think Zion’s participation will lead to immediate success because the Eastern Conference is, for the first time in my life, the better of the two. I’m serious. Check out the rankings. Every Eastern Conference playoff series in the first round will be a dogfight, and I don’t know who will win which of them. I’m pretty sure the Warriors will catch up with the Timberwolves.
Apparently Zion wanted to meet an inferior team in a better conference. Maybe he has some legitimate grievances with the Pelicans’ office. They seem to be doing a good job. All previously listed players have been acquired through trading. The worst look at the Pelicans’ office that I can think of is that they look worse every day ignoring Ja Morant.
Maybe Zion’s third head coach in three years is symbolic of some potential turmoil, but I doubt they’ll make such a big change without consulting the generals. their first possible talent.
Perhaps it was the fact that two of Zion’s college teammates, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, both played for the Knicks. Maybe he just misses his friends, in which case what a sane and understandable end to this article. Who was not there? “Sorry boys. Can not hang tonight. I have work at 9:00 am and my office is also on the opposite beach. He’s only been in college for a year and seems to love it so much, that it’s been a really tough decision to buy his tens of millions of dollars worth of textbooks.
Zion, I hate to tell you this, but even though your feelings are valuable, sooner or later we all have to grow up. I believe it was Jay Gatsby who said, “Can’t repeat the past? Why, of course you can! But he was shot in a pool and is also a fictional character, so what does he know? Sure the future is scary, but you’ll make a lot of new friends in New Orleans. Maybe CJ McCollum will be your world’s best friend, but you’ll never know unless you start with a welcome message.
