You’d be hard-pressed to find a player who gets more nonsense thrown at him in the media than Zion Williamson. He’s easy to knock down a peg. The constant injuries have left the Pelicans in an uncomfortable limbo, not quite able to contend, but not in a position to move on from Williamson’s generational offensive talent.
- Chris Kline
FanSided Staff Writer
He’s not always the most engaged defender. The 3-point shot remains more of a fantasy than reality. And yeah, it’s hard to express confidence in Williamson’s uniquely compact 6-foot-6, 284-pound frame holding up over time. Players tend to get more injury-prone over time, not less. Williamson’s game is predicated on planting and exploding off of those exceedingly fragile knees. We’ve never seen a player built like Zion who moves like Zion, but that might be what keeps him from greatness in the end.
Even with all the valid criticisms and critiques, however, Williamson is a special player to watch when he’s healthy. Dependable jumper or not, there isn’t a defense in the NBA equipped to keep Williamson out of the paint. He can plow through smaller defenders and skate right by more lumbering forwards. His explosiveness and strength renders Williamson one of the best at-rim finishers in the NBA. His deadly first step also allows Williamson to operate as a point guard in a forward’s frame. You can’t keep him from getting momentum downhill, which naturally collapses the defense and opens up passing lanes. Zion lives in the paint and creates all sorts of problems for the opposition. If only he can stay on the court for a full season …