Zion Williamson Knee Vigil

[DUKIE V(A)]

We should not pretend that sitting out the rest of the season is not a serious option that Zion should consider. I'm a diehard Duke fan, but I wouldn't blame him one bit if that's the direction he goes. If he asked me for my advice, I'd probably tell him to sit. Of course, most competitors want to compete, especially with a team that has the kind of chemistry this team has. I suspect Zion will be back, but it is certainly not the best business decision.

No hard feelings for Jay to tell the truth about this analysis. It's his job! ESPN pays him lotsa dough to be an honest broker, not to be a Duke fan.

I understand you expect Zion back, but what makes it a poor business decision to come back? I think the opposite. Assuming he is medically cleared, ZION would not be ZION if he were the type of guy not to come back. Competing and being there for his teammates is the essence of what Zion is about. Zion will make hundreds of millions on endorsements alone based on not only his unique talent but the joyfulness and passion he exudes on the court. In my view, he will add to his legend and make even more by coming back.

[KandG]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

[Green Wave Dukie]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

Yeah, praise the Lord for that news. Literally.

[proelitedota]

Thank you basketball jesus.

[cruxer]

[QUOTE=DUKIE V(A);1131222]

We should not pretend that sitting out the rest of the season is not a serious option that Zion should consider. I'm a diehard Duke fan, but I wouldn't blame him one bit if that's the direction he goes. If he asked me for my advice, I'd probably tell him to sit. Of course, most competitors want to compete, especially with a team that has the kind of chemistry this team has. I suspect Zion will be back, but it is certainly not the best business decision.

No hard feelings for Jay to tell the truth about this analysis. It's his job! ESPN pays him lotsa dough to be an honest broker, not to be a Duke fan.[/QUOTE


I understand you expect Zion back, but what makes it a poor business decision to come back? I think the opposite. Assuming he is medically cleared, ZION would not be ZION if he were the type of guy not to come back. Competing and being there for his teammates is the essence of what Zion is about. Zion will make hundreds of millions on endorsements alone based on not only his unique talent but the joyfulness and passion he exudes on the court. In my view, he will add to his legend and make even more by coming back.

It's a bad business decision specifically because, unless he suffers a more catastrophic injury, he is a lock for the #1 pick and an astronomical endorsement deal. He can't improve his financial situation by playing, but he could hurt it if the unthinkable happens. That makes coming back riskier than not coming back. That's basically the Pippen argument.

But of course players want to play, and brothers want to compete side-by-side with each other. College is an experience that's very different from the grind of professional sports. Those are all great reasons to come back, but they aren't business reasons. I don't know the kid but I agree that the chemistry on this team and what I've seen of him makes me think he couldn't stand to sit when he could be playing. But I will pass no judgment on him if that's the way he decides to go. Either decision is the right one if he's good with it.

[KandG]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

Follow up from The Athletic's @shamscharania:

Duke star Zion Williamson has a Grade 1 right knee sprain and will be day-to-day. Sigh of relief for the possible No. 1 overall pick.

Throughout day, Williamson and Duke believed injury would be minor — Grade 1 sprain. He will be day-to-day, with a return based on his healing progress.

[dukelifer]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

Good news for Zion.

[WHOneedsSOX]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

That's great news.

[WVDUKEFAN]

Good for him no matter what he decides.

[freshmanjs]

Good for him no matter what he decides.

They would never have put out a statement worded like that if he wasn't planning to play. The idea that he has some new big decision to make is just manufactured by the media.

[ndkjr70]

Holy Lord in Heaven. I am crying happy tears.

[Edouble]

Total relief...for now.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/st...18840899493888

Any knee experts out there who can chime in?

A quick google search on grade 1 knee sprains says that:

"Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks."

and also

"Treatment of a ligament injury varies depending on its location and severity. Grade I sprains usually heal within a few weeks. Maximal ligament strength will occur after six weeks when the collagen fibres have matured."

So... "day to day" could be a lot of days?

[Jeffrey]

It's a bad business decision specifically because, unless he suffers a more catastrophic injury, he is a lock for the #1 pick and an astronomical endorsement deal. He can't improve his financial situation by playing, but he could hurt it if the unthinkable happens. That makes coming back riskier than not coming back. That's basically the Pippen argument.

IMO, this is a risk/return analysis given current compensation levels. On a percentage basis, the risk of a college player having a career ending, or even substantially damaging, injury is very low. The return of playing and improving at the highest current competition level possible, possibly winning a National Title, and playing for the GOAT college coach is substantial. Easy for me to say, but I'd definitely advise continuing to play and negotiating a huge Nike deal.

[Kedsy]

Any knee experts out there who can chime in?

A quick google search on grade 1 knee sprains says that:

"Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks."

and also

"Treatment of a ligament injury varies depending on its location and severity. Grade I sprains usually heal within a few weeks. Maximal ligament strength will occur after six weeks when the collagen fibres have matured."

So... "day to day" could be a lot of days?

FWIW, two weeks would give him a couple practices before the second UNC game. More than two weeks means not until the ACCT, and four weeks means not until the NCAAT.

[Jeffrey]

So... "day to day" could be a lot of days?

Or, Saturday.

[Troublemaker]

Some Zion odds available at BetOnline sportsbook: https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/...ncaam-specials

No need to click on that link as I took a screenshot below:




I would expect "Regular Season", "Nike", and "Yes" to get pounded. These current odds won't last.

[Jeffrey]

I would expect "Regular Season", "Nike", and "Yes" to get pounded. These current odds won't last.

Strongly agree!

[freshmanjs]

MBIII's injury last year was also described as a "mild knee sprain." He missed 4 games and approx. 2 weeks.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

MBIII's injury last year was also described as a "mild knee sprain." He missed 4 games and approx. 2 weeks.

MB was not a cyborg....

[scottdude8]

I’m pretty sure that the timelines you find when you google these injuries are for the average patient... not an athlete with an entire training staff at his disposal. It may take me 6 weeks to recover from a sprain going to PT twice a week... but assuming Zion is getting PT round the clock, it’s an entirely different ball game.

What a relief.