Zion to Bilas: “Didn’t you go to Duke?!?!”

[Steven43]

Or, "Go to Hell Carolina . . . ."

You couldn’t pay Jay Bilas enough money to publicly say something negative about UNC.

[OldPhiKap]

You couldn’t pay Jay Bilas enough money to publicly say something negative about UNC.

Sadly, this is true.

[dudog84]

You couldn’t pay Jay Bilas enough money to publicly say something negative about UNC.

I don't know, maybe $1 more than ESPN is paying him.

Okay, that may be a bit harsh, but money trumps all.

[DukieTiger]

Not that big a deal, but the question was a bit of a diss towards RJ, don't think it was really necessary.

It was also asking him to choose between two former teammates. Would have been more fair to the kids, and more interesting, to ask him to compare the two, but that’s not the kind of journalism ESPN does these days.

[MrPoon]

It was also asking him to choose between two former teammates. Would have been more fair to the kids, and more interesting, to ask him to compare the two, but that’s not the kind of journalism ESPN does these days.

Complaining about ESPN is too easy but I thought the pre-lottery stuff was really odd and unfair to the two kids.
RJ, please sit here and keep a straight face while we ask absurd questions all about how great Zion is to Zion. Then we’ll ask you about how great he is after reminding you that once you were going to be the number one pick but aren't any more, then we’ll ask Zion to choose between you and Morant, with you here.

Understand the ESPN hype machine has helped both Duke and Zion this year. But can’t any one have some respect for RJ? WITH HIM SITTING RIGHT THERE?!?!?

[SavDukeGrad]

Complaining about ESPN is too easy but I thought the pre-lottery stuff was really odd and unfair to the two kids.
RJ, please sit here and keep a straight face while we ask absurd questions all about how great Zion is to Zion. Then we’ll ask you about how great he is after reminding you that once you were going to be the number one pick but aren't any more, then we’ll ask Zion to choose between you and Morant, with you here.

Understand the ESPN hype machine has helped both Duke and Zion this year. But can’t any one have some respect for RJ? WITH HIM SITTING RIGHT THERE?!?!?

My thoughts exactly! All night long!

[BD80]

Complaining about ESPN is too easy but I thought the pre-lottery stuff was really odd and unfair to the two kids.
RJ, please sit here and keep a straight face while we ask absurd questions all about how great Zion is to Zion. Then we’ll ask you about how great he is after reminding you that once you were going to be the number one pick but aren't any more, then we’ll ask Zion to choose between you and Morant, with you here.

Understand the ESPN hype machine has helped both Duke and Zion this year. But can’t any one have some respect for RJ? WITH HIM SITTING RIGHT THERE?!?!?

But they had RJ right there, not Morant. That says a lot.

[mattyoung18]

was watching with family while eating dinner, missed this moment. anyone willing to give me some context? it sounds delicious.

It's on youtube type in Zion interview with Rachel Nichols b4 lottery.Zion made Jay speechless and look Incredibly stupid all in 1 second .Bilas just needs to retire his jokes are wearing thin.

[AtlDuke72]

I think that Bilas was just caught off guard - he never thought that Rachel Nichols would ever shut up long enough for him to say anything.

[DevilYouKnow]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy, he doesn't need to regurgitate the same boring answers that all athletes are coached to give. In addition to his freakish physical endowment and his work ethic, he has the brains and personality to be a huge celebrity, loving every minute of it and making everyone this side of insidecarolina.com love him.

[OldPhiKap]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy, he doesn't need to regurgitate the same boring answers that all athletes are coached to give. In addition to his freakish physical endowment and his work ethic, he has the brains and personality to be a huge celebrity, loving every minute of it and making everyone this side of insidecarolina.com love him.

Yup.

I am not sure I have seen someone with so much joy in them. He is just damn fun.

Best of luck, Zion!

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy, he doesn't need to regurgitate the same boring answers that all athletes are coached to give. In addition to his freakish physical endowment and his work ethic, he has the brains and personality to be a huge celebrity, loving every minute of it and making everyone this side of insidecarolina.com love him.

Once in a generation talent and personality...really quite astonishing to watch.

[arnie]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy, he doesn't need to regurgitate the same boring answers that all athletes are coached to give. In addition to his freakish physical endowment and his work ethic, he has the brains and personality to be a huge celebrity, loving every minute of it and making everyone this side of insidecarolina.com love him.

I completely agree with you so far. But it’s easier to be that person when you’re “new and successful”. A couple of long not-so-great seasons in NO, then Bilas types openly critical every night could wipe that grin off. NBA is a grind.

[brevity]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy...

Until your juxtaposition, I never realized that “savant” and “savvy” were related words. They are both derived from the same French/Latin words for knowledge and wisdom. Word origin sporks!

[Rich]

Zion is already a savant with the press. He is so press savvy, he doesn't need to regurgitate the same boring answers that all athletes are coached to give. In addition to his freakish physical endowment and his work ethic, he has the brains and personality to be a huge celebrity, loving every minute of it and making everyone this side of insidecarolina.com love him.

And savvy in the press!

[Rudy]

I watched the YouTube video referenced above and here’s a link to it. https://youtu.be/bn5PwnWm3qU
Both RJ and Zion were impressive in answering inane questions. I guess those practice interviews the players all do with each other during the season help.

[Bay Area Duke Fan]

Yup.

I am not sure I have seen someone with so much joy in them. He is just damn fun.

Best of luck, Zion!

Like Magic.