Coming into the league in 2019, Zion Williamson was picked by the New Orleans Pelicans using the first overall pick in the NBA draft. It was a no-brainer. Williamson was head and shoulders above his peers in high school and college. He had the body and athleticism to maybe one day become one of the most dominant players in the league.
Unfortunately, with all those pros, Zion comes with a huge con as well. The 22-year-old seems to be injury-prone. He has spent three seasons in the NBA and is yet to play a full season. In fact, in the last three seasons, he has only played a total of 85 games for the Pelicans.
But that didn’t stop the Pelicans from giving Williamson a huge contract extension. Of course, it proves that the franchise has trust in their young star, but the move could very easily backfire too.
If Zion can somehow manage to stay healthy next season, he will have the opportunity to prove everyone wrong. Zion also blasted the media narratives, which suggested that he wanted to leave the Pelicans.
Fortunately for Zion, there are many rooting for his success as well. NBA analyst Brian Windhorst seems to be among them. Because in an ESPN segment, which showed the top plays of Zion’s career so far, Windhorst praised Williamson.
(Starts at 1:36):
“He’s the most dominant interior scorer in the NBA since Shaq.”
NBA legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players to ever step into the NBA hardwood. Throughout his career, he tore through opposing defenses with his brutal interior game.
But since his retirement, not many players have flaunted their talents to destroy opponents like Shaq used to do. If Zion can stay healthy, he certainly has the talent to do it. Also, in the few games that we have actually seen him play, he has used his physicality to his full advantage.
