Dukies in the NBA: 2022-23

[lotusland]

This is really well said MtnD. I suspect that CJ went public only after being private failed.



Zion is probably the most liked player we have had in a very long time. To be honest, I'm upset...not because he owes me anything but because I care. Hearing that someone that has been seen as a very good young man has gotten himself mixed up with strippers and porn stars is upsetting. It just is. I'm bummed. Does it make me less of a fan...not too much but like others it makes me worried about him and think that he's not surrounding himself with the right people.

On the basketball front, I hope he can get and stay healthy...can't wait to see him play again as he's amazing on the court.

Zion may be laying the groundwork for a post basketball career in politics. With that type of cred, he could make it all the way to the Whitehouse!

[heyman25]

Zion’s physique might be a problem for a long career in basketball. As a Duke fan I wish him success. However he hasn’t taken responsibility for his health. He has been out more than he has played. Griffin and Trajan Langdon can not be too pleased with his past two seasons. Embiid managed to succeed after years of health issues. Unless Zion follows his rehabilitation protocol, the Pelicans aren’t going to continue his contract and try to move him.

[bluedevilwildcats]

Zion’s physique might be a problem for a long career in basketball. As a Duke fan I wish him success. However he hasn’t taken responsibility for his health. He has been out more than he has played. Griffin and Trajan Langdon can not be too pleased with his past two seasons. Embiid managed to succeed after years of health issues. Unless Zion follows his rehabilitation protocol, the Pelicans aren’t going to continue his contract and try to move him.

I was very disappointed to hear that Zion's "camp" was unhappy with the Pels inserting language that Zion's weight + body fat percentage had to be under 295. There are a couple of great weight loss drugs now available, maybe he should consider those.

If next year is more of the same, on and off the court, I'd expect the Pels to move him. I'd like to see him go to a team that has a culture of accountability. Like the Heat, for example.

[dukelifer]

Zion’s physique might be a problem for a long career in basketball. As a Duke fan I wish him success. However he hasn’t taken responsibility for his health. He has been out more than he has played. Griffin and Trajan Langdon can not be too pleased with his past two seasons. Embiid managed to succeed after years of health issues. Unless Zion follows his rehabilitation protocol, the Pelicans aren’t going to continue his contract and try to move him.

Move him where? Every other team knows the situation and his injury history. He would need to show he can play the bulk of the season and then if he does- the Pels would likely keep him.

[gep]

I agree in theory. But who knows if he's been addressed personally in private over the years? I mean, maybe it's just additional strategy when other ideas haven't worked.

Coach Malone called out the Nuggets for their energy and attitude after Game 2 in the press conference. It's a tactic for sure, whether you agree with it or not.

Sports isn't like other work environments. Of course, if my boss was in the press questioning my level of effort, I'd be livid. But then again, I don't work in front of millions of people either.

My level of concern is for the young man Zion. He seems to be making decisions that range from questionable to poor, and either doesn't have the right advisors or isn't listening to those who are giving him good advice.

I'd love to see him play a full season at his highest level of ability. I think it would be something for us all to witness.

But more important is this young man getting his arms wrapped around his physicals his mentals, and his life.

These are my concerns too... very well said by Mtn.Devil. I wish Zion all the best in his future.

[bundabergdevil]

Yeesh, there’s another one making public accusations now.

He clearly did not heed the advice of NBA rookie orientation.

[jv001]

What now?

[bundabergdevil]

What now?

More of the same, just from a new woman.

[jv001]

More of the same, just from a new woman.

Thanks, Wow! I'm really surprised to hear all this stuff. He surely didn't seem like that type of young man when at Duke. I guess he's not the only player that's made bad choice over the years and he won't be the last. I hope he get's some help/good advice from someone that can get his attention.

GoDuke!

[dukelifer]

Thanks, Wow! I'm really surprised to hear all this stuff. He surely didn't seem like that type of young man when at Duke. I guess he's not the only player that's made bad choice over the years and he won't be the last. I hope he get's some help/good advice from someone that can get his attention.

GoDuke!

All this is amplified because of social media. Think about what the Twitter traffic would have been with Wilt Chamberlain.

[MartyClark]

All this is amplified because of social media. Think about what the Twitter traffic would have been with Wilt Chamberlain.

20,000 times worse.

[bundabergdevil]

20,000 times worse.

I see what you did there.

[johnb]

And in your conclusions you appear to make similar types of assumptions/stereotypes and apply them to those who have commented before.

Which assumptions?

[bluedevilwildcats]

Which assumptions?

I thought you got off pretty light from that post, to be honest, not sure I'd want to revisit it. :-)

[Steven43]

20,000 times worse.

Made me spit out my milk 🥛 laughing! And yeah, it came out my nose, too.

[Steven43]

I thought you got off pretty light from that post, to be honest, not sure I'd want to revisit it. :-)

Huh? If memory serves I don’t recall anything in his post that would be considered embarrassing or untoward. And in fact johnb is a top flight poster, imo; one of the best on DBR.

[Alan_Wilson]

I just saw Jack White on the floor postgame/celebration. I'm going ahead and adding him to the Dukies with a ring club now.

[brevity]

It's been mentioned a bit recently in the 2023 NBA Draft thread, but because it concerns Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, at least some of the discussion should probably be here.

Shams Charania of Stadium reported over the weekend that the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to trade up to Charlotte's #2 or Portland's #3 pick to get Scoot Henderson. Who would the Pelicans have to trade to make that happen? A very tired Sam Vecenie and Adam Spinella did a video podcast after the NBA Finals clincher Monday night, and they talked about this topic in some length (from 43:00 to about 1:05:00), diving into the Pelicans payroll. They tried to make a sensible trade with future picks only, or maybe CJ McCollum plus future picks, but ultimately they decided that the Pelicans would have to move either Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson.

This morning, on the aptly named ESPN show "Get Up", a very awake Mike Greenberg and Alan Hahn talked to Brian Windhorst, who is sleepy-eyed but probably alert, and he introduced the subject of the Pelicans trading up for Scoot Henderson while carefully not saying the name "Shams Charania". Alan Hahn, no fan of uncertainty, is all-in and quite vocal on the idea that the Pelicans are done with Zion. Here's the video (start at about the 1-minute mark):



I don't consider myself an expert at anything, but I live in New Orleans and have had a string of nagging but temporary health problems, including a mild foot injury. In my opinion, this is not a great place to heal (for various reasons), and I wonder if Zion has had a remotely similar experience. I like the Pelicans, but I like Zion more, and I think his best chance to revive/preserve his career is by playing somewhere else. While I don't have much faith or trust in the Charlotte Hornets organization, it would be a fresh start that's closer to home for Zion (or for Brandon Ingram).

[sagegrouse]

I don't consider myself an expert at anything, but I live in New Orleans and have had a string of nagging but temporary health problems, including a mild foot injury. In my opinion, this is not a great place to heal (for various reasons), and I wonder if Zion has had a remotely similar experience. I like the Pelicans, but I like Zion more, and I think his best chance to revive/preserve his career is by playing somewhere else. While I don't have much faith or trust in the Charlotte Hornets organization, it would be a fresh start that's closer to home for Zion (or for Brandon Ingram).

You think that 90 percent humidity below sea level is less than salutary?

Maybe he should go to Utah -- higher, drier and at the bottom in terms of night life.

[brevity]

You think that 90 percent humidity below sea level is less than salutary?

That's definitely part of it. If you moved from Las Vegas and have a family member with eczema (also my experience), then sure, New Orleans is a fine place to be. Just try to never have any other medical problems.

Maybe he should go to Utah -- higher, drier and at the bottom in terms of night life.

But all that Jazz! (Obligatory link to the SLC's actual jazz scene.)