How good will Zion Williamson be at Duke and in the NBA?

foo wrote:

Not a Duke fan, but Zion Williamson was amazing in high school.

He just put up 29/13 on Ryerson (Canada) in an exhibition game:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211768325&DB_OEM_ID=4200

He's 6-7 and weighs 285 pounds. Earlier this week, he dunked from the foul line in practice.

What is your prediction on how good he will be?

Despite his weight, he's undersized at 6'6" for the PF position. His handle needs a bit of work also.

I think he's a gamble at a top lottery position. He'l be matched up against other PF who are up to 7 ft and long. He'll need to be super skilled, which he's not yet

22:00 -23:00 at best.

285 is a LOT to carry around the track. 12.5 times

Duke has a couple studs as good or better than him so you won't see ridiculous numbers, just great highlights.

I don't think he will have a lengthy career. His body is going to give out under all his weight. Whether he's carrying muscle or fat an 82 game season will break him down.

He should probably be the first pick in the draft. I think he'll be a pretty good lock for an all Star. Huge body, athletic freak, slick handles and looks to actually have a jumper. I would say that he has the told to be a great one in the league. His struggle will probably be to turn that weight into muscle I'm guessing. Duke is going to be insane this year if they don't win it all it's a failure

XY wrote:

foo wrote:

Not a Duke fan, but Zion Williamson was amazing in high school.

He just put up 29/13 on Ryerson (Canada) in an exhibition game:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211768325&DB_OEM_ID=4200

He's 6-7 and weighs 285 pounds. Earlier this week, he dunked from the foul line in practice.

What is your prediction on how good he will be?

Despite his weight, he's undersized at 6'6" for the PF position. His handle needs a bit of work also.

I think he's a gamble at a top lottery position. He'l be matched up against other PF who are up to 7 ft and long. He'll need to be super skilled, which he's not yet

I dunno, Barkley did just fine at 6'4 and change with a similar skill set. I would be more worried about how my skinny 6'10" stretch 4 was going to guard him than the other way around. It's hard to block shots when you've been should bumped on your heels and the guy has a 40" plus vert. PLus he's quick enough to get around guys on short drives.

I see 14 and 8 as the floor in the NBA with chance to be a 20-10 guy.

might peak very early though if he doesn't work on the body.

Too short, too fat. Not a great jump shot and really all his highlights are him dunking in open space or surrounded by short white kids, do it against some real competition. He’ll be a bust in the nba like okafor

LexRun wrote:

Too short, too fat. Not a great jump shot and really all his highlights are him dunking in open space or surrounded by short white kids, do it against some real competition. He’ll be a bust in the nba like okafor

On what planet is he fat? Dude is completely jacked for being 18 years old. The verdict is out on his jump shot. He shot it pretty well yesterday but that was obviously an exhibition game against an overmatched team.

mellow seeds wrote:

LexRun wrote:

Too short, too fat. Not a great jump shot and really all his highlights are him dunking in open space or surrounded by short white kids, do it against some real competition. He’ll be a bust in the nba like okafor

On what planet is he fat? Dude is completely jacked for being 18 years old. The verdict is out on his jump shot. He shot it pretty well yesterday but that was obviously an exhibition game against an overmatched team.

I’m the planet of college basketball. If he was 7 foot his size wouldn’t bother me but he’s 6’6 he should be much leaner. Also, the team duke played last night was an absolute joke, they’re a mediocre college team in Canada, not at all on the level duke will be playing in the regular season. I still think duke will be good but not great and Zion is probably their 3rd or 4th best player.

Good points. Quite possible that he could be Barkleyesque, but odds are against him in the modern game. He will benefit from offensively initiated contact calls that go against the defensive player. It seems as though you can jump into the defense and get the call, so you never know. I think he's a top 10 pick, but there are other players ahead of him. As far as Duke, he'll be held back a touch as Duke has a load of studs this yr. Coach K does not need to showcase Zion. I think its all about his dexterity, we know he has the physical tools. I've seem him dominate athletically but not show the handle he needs to be good at the next level.

And to reply to another poster, he's not fat at all.

LeBron was 6’8 240 entering the nba, Zion’s fat grading on that scale

Coach Ratface will turn him into a bust like he has done for 95% of his players.

Dude would have ruined even LeBron.

LexRun wrote:

LeBron was 6’8 240 entering the nba, Zion’s fat grading on that scale

So when compared to Kevin Durant, Lebron is fat?

You cant make comparisons like that. Zion has a huge lower body.

To answer the OP's question:

ZW will be flashy but overall less than extraordinary in college. He will shine in the league once he matures into his pro body.

LexRun wrote:

Too short, too fat. Not a great jump shot and really all his highlights are him dunking in open space or surrounded by short white kids, do it against some real competition. He’ll be a bust in the nba like okafor

or like Charles Barkley.

honestly what could Charles do what Zion can't?

or....... wrote:

LexRun wrote:

Too short, too fat. Not a great jump shot and really all his highlights are him dunking in open space or surrounded by short white kids, do it against some real competition. He’ll be a bust in the nba like okafor

or like Charles Barkley.

honestly what could Charles do what Zion can't?

Charles wwasn't always fat, and he didn't rely on athletic dunks. Zion will have knee problems by the end of his first year.

we forget Larry Johnson was a 20-10 guy at a listed 6'7". I have a hunch Larry was 6'5 1/2.

yeah LJ's draft height was 6'5" and Mutombo clains LJ was like 6'3" for whatever that's wrrth.......but if LJ can go 20-10 I'm sure Zion will be fine.

This is a re-run. We saw this with Julius Randle at Kentucky.

Same s h i t. Same H Y P E . More than likely will be the same result.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

This is a re-run. We saw this with Julius Randle at Kentucky.

Same s h i t. Same H Y P E . More than likely will be the same result.

Randle might be OVERperforming in the NBA from the #7 draft slot.