Zion Williamson has pronounced himself match for the regular-season opener Wednesday in Brooklyn. Kevin Durant referred to as the Pelicans star a singular expertise — one thing he is aware of about himself.
“You’ve seen guys at that dimension, 6-7, that may stand up and down the ground and transfer; however not at that degree, although,” Durant mentioned. “You’ve seen guys like Jason Maxiell. I’m not saying they leap as excessive as Zion, however they have been undersized guys that performed greater. And Zion’s a kind of guys.
“Rodney Rogers — I’m lacking so many guys that have been that tall at 6-6, Charles Barkley, bruiser-type guys however performed greater. However Zion’s athleticism trumps all of theirs by far. Once you add that to the combination, it makes him a one-of-one.”
Williamson hasn’t performed since Could 4, 2021, lacking all of final season with an injured proper foot.
However on the Pelicans’ observe on Monday, Williamson proclaimed, “I’m taking part in Wednesday.” And presuming he does, Brooklyn expects it to be at a excessive degree.
“I suppose there's some trickiness to it: Which Zion do you get? However I feel you’d be silly to not anticipate an distinctive participant,” coach Steve Nash mentioned. “He’s so proficient and gifted. He causes issues for everyone, regardless of, I feel, what state his physique and sport is in. He’s nonetheless such a singular athlete and participant.
“So we’ve received to be ready. We will’t anticipate something lower than his greatest or we’ll be shocked and we’ll be second. And once you’re reactive, you’re in hassle.”
Durant, Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton will all seemingly get their probabilities to protect Williamson. The latter is a fellow South Carolinian however missed an opportunity to group up with Williamson rising up.
“We have been speculated to play on the identical AAU group one yr, but it surely ended up not understanding,” mentioned Claxton, who performed alongside Ja Morant in his final season of AAU ball. “Yeah, the group didn’t come collectively. We have been all speculated to play on the identical group, me, Ja, and Zion. … One thing about sponsorships. I don’t suppose we had a shoe deal. I don’t suppose Zion needed to play on a non-shoe deal group.”
Edmond Sumner is recovered from a hip pressure and is cleared for Wednesday. Joe Harris, Seth Curry and T.J. Warren are all already dominated out in opposition to New Orleans, with Harris and Curry to be evaluated Thursday.
Brooklyn employed Jonathan Filipe as head athletic coach. He had been the top athletic coach for reigning MLS champion NYCFC, changing Pistons-bound Sebastien Poirier.
YES broadcaster Ian Eagle mentioned on a media name that this summer time’s Durant drama and self-evaluation may find yourself serving to Brooklyn.
“They received plenty of stuff on the desk, and it was necessary for them to get to the subsequent step by attending to this stage of communication and honesty and ease,” Eagle mentioned. “Once you had stuff hanging over the group the final yr and alter in the end, I’m undecided they have been going to have the ability to really fulfill no matter potential there was. Now hopefully it’s about basketball.”
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