The young player of the New Orleans Pelicans soon became famous around the world while still competing in high school basketball tournaments. Zion was considered by experts to become a top star thanks to his outstanding talent compared to other players his age at that time.

However, Zion’s ability to succeed is also questioned because of his physical style of play. Many people believe that Zion will fail like other “failures” that have appeared in NBA history.

The attraction from Zion Williamson helps New Orleans Pelicans’ home matches always be filled with seats.

Selected in the first position in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion quickly asserted his talent and became the top scorer on the Pelicans. Now, Zion has a large fan base that is no less than big stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard…

From basketball phenomenon to golden boy

Zion officially came to light in May 2016 at the Bob Gibbons tournament. Online video channel EliteMixtapes posted for the first time the competition highlights of young talent named Zion Williamson.

Zion immediately caused a stir on social networking platforms when he was just 15 years old. Basketball fans talk excitedly about Zion, the boy who competes fiercely like a professional basketball player in high school tournaments.

Zion Williamson shows strength in a tackle in NCAA Division 1.

Zion is simply taller, bigger, heavier, faster, stronger and jumps higher than any player his age. Zion even “bullies” his seniors who are one or 2 years older during matches. NBA scouts believe that Zion possesses the physical condition and playing ability of a professional basketball player.

After that, Zion continued to cause a storm on social networks with a series of competition videos showing his extraordinary physical strength. Major newspapers such as ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, The Ringer or SB Nation also continuously update news about Zion anytime and anywhere. Zion’s charisma caused many top NBA stars such as LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul or even former US president Barack Obama to come to the field to watch.

Zion became the number one target of America’s top college basketball teams upon completing high school. Finally, Zion chose to play and become the number one star on the Duke University basketball team.

While many NBA players have had to spend 2 to 4 years training in the NCAA Division 1 environment (America’s highest-ranked student basketball tournament), Zion only needs exactly one year of competition to register to join the NBA. Draft. Zion averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in 33 NCAA Division 1 games.

NBA trend

Zion had some difficulty in the NBA when he missed the beginning of the 2019/20 season due to a torn meniscus. Once again, fans and experts expressed doubts about Zion’s ability to succeed in the NBA.

The 20-year-old pioneer has had to accept doubts about his ability and ability to succeed since his first public appearance in 2016. In fact, Zion’s height of 1.98 m, although overwhelming at the high school level, but proved inferior to many players playing in the same position in the NBA and NCAA Division 1.

In addition, Zion’s aggressive playing style and fondness for contact put him at high risk of injury. Those are two big reasons why many people think it is difficult for Zion to succeed in the NBA.

Zion immediately shattered all doubts in his first NBA debut on January 22. Zion scored 22 points, including 17 points in the final quarter against the San Antonio Spurs, a team famous for its most difficult defense.

Zion continued to prove his talent when he scored 35 points in the match against LeBron James’s Los Angeles Lakers on March 1. “This kid is special, we all know that. The way he plays basketball is special. I think his career will go further and further, he just needs more experience” “, LeBron did not hesitate to praise Zion to Sky Sports .

Zion Williamson makes many NBA teams have to use 2 players to block each time he receives the ball near the basket.

After 19 games in the 2019/20 season, Zion averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds. Zion’s impressive performance overshadowed another very talented rookie, Ja Morant, who averaged 17.6 points and 6.9 assists after 59 games in a Memphis Grizzlies shirt.

At this point, people can understand why the Pelicans accepted outstanding star Anthony Davis to the Lakers to receive young talents Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. Pelicans leadership believes in Zion’s abilities and is willing to take risks to build a team around this player.

The new “X-Men” of basketball

Zion Williamson reminds fans of the legendary Shaq O’Neal, the basketball “mutant” 2.16 m tall and weighing 147 kg who dominated the NBA in the 90s and early 2000s. Player 20 age (1.98 m), although he has a normal height in the NBA, but fully demonstrates the qualities of his great predecessor.

Even a player as tall as 2.13 m and with an arm span of 2.27 m like Brook Lopez has difficulty defending against Zion Williamson.

Huge muscle mass and a weight of 129 kg turn Zion into a monster near the basket. In particular, Zion has the agility of players who specialize in playing on the wing. Zion is like the reincarnation of Shaq, an ideal striker, overwhelming all opponents with his giant body and flexible movement ability.

Although he does not absolutely dominate the area near the basket like Shaq, Zion is more comprehensive when he can shoot 3-pointers and free throws well – two rare weaknesses of Shaq. Zion shot 46.2% from the 3-point line and 64.5% from the free throw line.

In addition, Zion also possesses incredible speed inside his bulky body. The Pelicans scored a lot of points in matches thanks to Zion’s persistent counter-attacking ability. Combined with superior strength, Zion can easily catch the ball in the air to dunk or simply take 2 steps to the basket to score points in the helplessness of the defenders, before the opposing defense can decide. image.

The style of scoring close to the basket is gradually becoming outdated in the NBA, but Zion’s physicality and skill set change that perception. If he continues to improve his abilities, Zion will soon become one of the best basketball players on the planet.