NBA Draft: Why Zion Williamson could be a huge bust

Despite the hype around Zion Williamson, he will not likely succeed as an NBA player

Few players have ever come into the NBA as hyped up as Zion Williamson is. However, I do wonder whether his game is translatable to the league.

Zion Williamson will find it nearly impossible to forcibly drive to the basket and dominate in the post area against many NBA players. Zion’s physical prowess and athletic gifts have propelled his game, not necessarily his skill.

The modern NBA revolves around the 3-point shot and the free throw line. Compared to previous eras, the NBA requires players to shoot more 3s, take more free throw shots, and to pass the ball more. It is easier for offensive players and defenders to get called for fouls than in previous decades in the NBA. This requires defenders and scores to use more skill when they are on the basketball court.

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This has allowed less athletic players like Stephen Curry and James Harden to thrive in the NBA. And even the most successful centers and power forwards in today’s NBA have sick handles and can shoot the 3-point shot when needed.

Zion would have probably fared better in other NBA eras that were more physical and where players were far less athletic. His game probably most resembles Darryl Dawkins. Dawkins, when he played for the 76ers, was known for his signature dunks, unparalleled strength, and athleticism.

Zion is a horrible shooter. He may be the worst shooter in the entire first round of NBA draft picks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him run into the same problems Ben Simmons has been currently facing. However, Simmons is far more skilled of a player than Zion Williamson and he has struggled offensively without a jumpshot.

However, Simmons is a fantastic offense facilitator and a true point guard.

There is also an issue as to what position Zion might play. Zion is only 6-foot-7. This will make it difficult for him to guard and defend against bigger power forwards, and even quicker small forwards.

Zion is a positionless player, however, not in a good way! Forwards and Guards without a jump shot traditionally struggle in the NBA. Zion’s ability to drive to the basket and dunk opponents has yet to be stopped. However, he has also yet to play in an NBA game.

The Greek Freak does have a game built around driving to the basket. However, the Greek Freak is more skilled, faster, and four inches taller than Zion Williamson. The Greek Freak has the handles and passing ability of an elite shooting guard.

Also, the comparisons of Zion Williamson to LeBron James are completely unfair. LeBron is not only taller, but he was far more skilled than Zion in every possible way when he entered the NBA. The hype around LeBron James was not hype, it was reality. His game was that good. LeBron James as a high school player had the passing ability, floor vision, shooting ability, and handles better than most starting NBA point guards. And LeBron has exceeded all expectations as a player and a business person.

LeBron is known to be one of the greatest NBA passers in the history of the game. Despite LeBron being maybe the most physically gifted player ever, LeBron’s game is built on skill and not flash!

So, why was Zion Williamson so hyped? It sells tickets. “Zion Williamson” was manufactured by the NCAA and sold as a product to fans. He was an attraction for the NCAA and Duke basketball.

It is not surprising the NCAA and media hyped a player without regard to how his game could function in the NBA; where it actually counts! However, it did sell tickets. Hyping a college player as the next Michael Jordan or LeBron James when they can’t shoot is wrong. We already, similarly, saw how that turned out with Lonzo Ball.

However, the hype around Zion Williamson will definitely help sell tickets for the Pelicans.

Zion is also probably better off playing for the Pelicans than the Knicks. Despite their record, the Pelicans are not a bad team. In the 2018 playoffs, the Pelicans swept the Trail Blazers and made it to the Western Conference Semifinals. Zion Williamson is going to a team that has the capacity to be in immediate playoff contention, even without him. Of course, this is not counting the Anthony Davis issue.

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To really simplify the issue, Zion Williamon’s game is basically Ben Simmon’s game without the passing. And this spells trouble.

Zion Williamson may turn out to be a decent player, however, it is highly unlikely that he will be a generational talent or exceed expectations like Lebron James did. And, in fact, I hope I am wrong about Zion Williamson.

However, based on Zion Williamson’s current projections as an NBA star, I would say he is a bust.