NBA Roundup: 3 January takeaways, 3 February predictions

January Takeaway – Zion has arrived

And now, in an impossible transition to a traditional monthly recap – Zion Williamson made his NBA debut.

And it was awesome – recap over.

When the season is finished, we’ll be looking back at that incredible three minute stretch in his debut against the Spurs as one the most enjoyable moments of the entire season. Although, hopefully for Zion’s sake they can edit out the parts where the announcers were calling him fat when they do the playback.

Even in a game where Zion was understandably uncomfortable and a little out of breath, he showed flashes of why he was the most hyped prospect since LeBron James in 2003.

Zion’s physicality and second jump ability are special. Anyone who worried about those skills translating to the NBA can stop now. He’s such an elite athlete that there is no court in the world where those skills wouldn’t stand out. It’s why he was the first pick and it’s why, health permitting, he’s going to be one of the best players in the NBA for a long time.

The only real question about Zion is how fast he can help the Pelicans win games. It’s unfair to expect a rookie to be able to truly compete with the contenders right away. That being said, the Pelicans aren’t out of the playoff race, and the possibility Zion and Ja Morant battling it out for the final seed in the playoffs is a great sign for the future of the NBA.