From Zi-Off to Zion
Zion’s first night in the NBA happened on a mundane Wednesday night on January 22, and it happened against the San Antonio Spurs at the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans. Though this night was supposed to be another generic night in most people’s lives, this game became one of the most memorable moments in the history of basketball, causing people across the nation to tune into a Spurs versus Pelicans game, two teams not even in the playoffs as of now! Also, New Orleans was actually able to fill seats for the first time all year!
To start the game, Zion was rather Zi-Off. Williamson was quite passive, seemed to be shying away from the action, and when he touched the ball he was simply timid. Sure he made a few respectable plays, but he did not show us what he did while he was at Duke. In fact, during the entire night, he did not show us his Duke self because he seemingly adjusted his game. I completely understand why he started off the game the way he did and just think about it: a 19 year old kid. The most hyped player to ever play the game. Night one after a knee injury (kept him sidelined for about a half of a year). The nerves were real.
In fact, I even felt nervous for Zion! It was similar to when you play MyCareer mode on NBA 2K for the first time! You start off a little shaky because you have little to no attributes and you don’t really how you are supposed to flow with your team, but as the game progresses, you begin to capitalize on your moments where you are expected to shine.
In terms of chemistry, it is difficult to be dropped in the middle of a team’s season with a 17–27 record (now 17–29). Furthermore, going into a game against the best coach in league history, Gregg Popovich, who preaches the fundamentals of the game tremendously, definitely had been strategizing for some time to combat the 6’6 285 monster.
Brandon Ingram is a changed player and when you consider the guard play on the Pelicans between him, Ball, Reddick, and Holiday, the tools are there for Zion to thrive but he just needs time to mesh…this is not an instant process.
When the fourth quarter came around, the man was ready to play some basketball, putting up 17 points in a 3:08 span! The crowd was on its feet and the building became electric with each of his four three-pointers he nailed!
Zion looked a little hobbly in this game and was moving at a very comfortable pace — the pace of a tourist jogging through Runyon Canyon Park. He finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, but the five turnovers were a little disappointing. His game morphed into something which relied more on his shooting ability, but it will be crucial for him to stick to his roots and work the inside more often if he wants to be a legitimate game changer. I know Shaq bulked up in order to dominate defenders which is why his explosiveness and speed weren’t critical — but if Zion wants to have it all — then dropping some weight might be a necessity.
I’m very happy he was able to leave the game on a high note, giving basketball fans around the world something to look forward to for the next decade. Do not be mad at Alvin Gentry for not leaving him in for the final five minutes of the game; pushing his limits in his first game back in a regular season game in January is something you just don’t do.
*This article was written on January 25 with information from that day and before*
