ZION'S HYPE TRAIN STRIKES AGAIN

 

This week ESPN released their top 100 NBA Players for the upcoming 2020-2021 season. The top two spots belonged to Los Angeles Lakers stars Lebron James and Anthony Davis. The top 5 was rounded out by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Kawhi Leonard.  Many players were given rankings that were debatable none more than the ranking of Zion Williamson coming  in at number 19. Zion played only 24 games last year and put up tremendous numbers in that small sample size.  He averaged 22.5 points 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last year. Even though he had these amazing numbers he also had a minute restriction; with this being the case he would play in 4-minute spots which often caused him to not finish games. The NBA is fascinated with Zion and has a ton of hype around him, but his game has not necessarily matched from an overall perspective. Zion had his conditioning questioned, in addition to not doing anything besides dunking. With it being his sophomore season, he is expected to be in better shape and will not have a minute restriction this year. The sky is the limit for Zion if he can stay healthy and can control his weight.

 

Zion’s future is bright but right now he is too high on this list. Some of the players he is ahead of include Paul George, Jamal Murray, and Bradley Beal. Paul George for his struggles during the post season had a very good regular season. He was just awarded with a 4-year extension with the Los Angeles Clippers worth $193 Million. How is Zion ahead of Beal it makes no sense at all; Beal is coming off the best season of his career in which he averaged 30! Jamal Murray had a good season and elevated his play even more in the playoffs. He continuously hit big shots in the playoffs and help lead the Denver Nuggets  to the Western Conference Finals. This included powering the Nuggets so they could come back down 3-1 in 2 straight best of 7 game series.  In conclusion Zion is overrated and is all hype at this point.

Paul George plays blame game

 

This week Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers was on a podcast and talked about the Clippers season and how during the playoffs, they did not make any adjustments during their series against the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers blew a 3-1 lead in which they saw double digit leads get blown in the second half of 3 straight games. My biggest issue with this statement is that both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were both bought to the Clippers to win a championship. Also, when your up double digits on 3 different occasions you have to finish the job.

 

The Clippers biggest problem last year was expectations. For the first time in forever the Clippers were expected to at least get to the Western Conference Finals, and they crumbled from those expectations. Paul George did not do anything to help as he struggled the entire series. With him blaming former Head Coach Doc Rivers for not adjusting the game plan it seems as though George is pointing the finger to everyone but himself. The Clippers traded multiple first round draft picks to acquire him, he was supposed to get the job done and help get the Clippers over the hump. Also, when you’re up double digits in multiple games it’s on the players to hold on win 1 of those final 3 games.  

 

In addition, George says he wants to retire a Clipper and create a winning environment. George needs realize that the team has championship expectations and he has to play better in big games. I wonder if he can thrive when his team needs him most; he has done a lot of talking this off season and now it’s almost time to put up or shut up. If the Clippers fall short again this season George will hopefully examine his role in the results.

$40 Million Dollar Trade

 

On Wednesday December 2^nd, it was reported by multiple sources that The Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets agreed to trade John Wall and a first-round pick for Russell Westbrook. This trade on the surface seems to be a lateral move as both Wall and Westbrook are essentially the same player. They are both explosive players who rely on athleticism and cannot shoot 3 pointers well. In this article I will examine each player’s fit with their ne team and how I see each team finishing in their conferences.

 

John Wall

John Wall has missed the majority of the past two seasons with a heel issue and a torn Achilles. With his game being predicated on explosiveness his athletic ability it will be interesting to see if he is able to get back close to the player, he was in 2017. With him playing potentially with James Harden it creates another situation like Westbrook where you will once again a player who is used to having the ball in his hands and running the show. The Rockets also signed Wall’s college teammate DeMarcus Cousins which could help change the way the Rockets play from isolation and 3’s to more of a pick and roll offense with ball movement.  Ultimately, I do not see this experiment working any better than it did with Westbrook. The Rockets with Harden and Wall would make the playoffs likely a 6^th or 7^th seed. If Wall comes back close to 85% of the player, he was prior to the injuries they will fight for a top 5 seed.

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is going to start the season on his third team in as many seasons. Westbrook being traded to Washington reunites him with Head Coach Scott Brooks, who coached Westbrook during his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be interesting to see how Bradley Beal and Westbrook mess together especially with Beal coming off a career year. Westbrook has a constant motor which can be helpful when it comes getting Beal one on one matchups and he excel against his opponents. Also, with the re-signing of sharp shooting forward Davis Bertans the Wizards can make noise in the East as far as fighting for the 4^th to 7^th seed. I predict the Wizards finishing between the 6^th and 8^th seed due to it taking time for the team to gel but they will be a tough out come playoff time.

 

With the added play in format for the 7^th and 8^th seeds this year it will be interested to see if either of the teams officially make the playoffs. I do think both teams will make the playoffs but will fail to get past the first round. In my opinion neither won the trade but both created interesting situations to keep your eye out for this upcoming NBA Season. Season starts December 22^nd and it cannot get here fast enough!!!