Zion Williamson After Non-Call vs. Nuggets: 'I've Got to Earn My Respect'
Apr 29, 2021
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the rim between Denver Nuggets forwards Aaron Gordon (50) and Michael Porter Jr., right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in Denver. The Nuggets held on to win 114-112. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
It would have been easy for Zion Williamson to vent his frustrations following Wednesday's 114-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
After all, the New Orleans Pelicans star went up for what would have been the game-tying shot in the final seconds only to be blocked by Nikola Jokic. It appeared to be a foul, but the officials swallowed their whistles.
— Local Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) April 29, 2021
Instead, he said he still had to "earn my respect" to get calls like that in crunch time.
"I've got to earn my respect," he told reporters. "I'm only in year two. I've got to get a couple more years under my belt and hopefully things change with that."
While the Duke product may still be working on earning that respect, getting to the line has not been much of an issue. In fact, he is second in the league in total free throws this season with 491 and is behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Zion gets a TON of calls. He didn’t get a pretty obvious end-of-game call tonight. But that does not mean he doesn’t get calls.
There is something to be said about how difficult certain players are to officiate in the NBA because of their physicality. Williamson is someone who can simply overpower many opponents, which leaves smaller players clawing for any advantage and often fouling him even when the infractions go uncalled.
Players such as Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James and others have dealt with similar situations throughout their careers, and Williamson is surely experiencing that as he becomes accustomed to the league.
To hear him say it, though, he will start getting more of those whistles as he garners more respect down the line.
Zion Williamson Talks Jordan Zion 1 Signature Sneaker, Meeting Michael Jordan
Apr 28, 2021
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson laughs on the sideline in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson said his little brother, Noah, provided an assist to create one of the colorways for his first signature sneaker with the Jordan Brand, the Zion 1.
Williamson explained during an appearance Tuesday on CBS' The Late Late Show with James Corden he took a trip with his brother to visit Nike's Michael Jordan Building while deciding which company to sign an endorsement contract with, and the rest is history.
"They gave him a bunch of crayons. Now, Noah's five, so I don't know what they thought they were gonna get out of him right then and there," he said with a laugh. "So all he did with every color was drew some scribbles on it, and a couple months later they came and showed me a shoe with a bunch of colorful scribbles on it, and I said, 'Oh, that's dope.'"
Williamson joked that Noah, who's now seven, wasn't really excited about the design, saying, "It's supposed to happen. I'm supposed to have my own shoe."
He said one of the other colorways is a tribute to his mom, Sharonda Sampson, for helping him get out of a "tough environment" en route to a successful basketball career.
Meanwhile, Williamson also discussed his first meeting with Jordan, which came at a Jordan Brand party with hundreds of guests, which limited their interaction time.
"Man, seeing him was like seeing Black Jesus; it was crazy being in the same room as him," the 2021 NBA All-Star told Corden. "You know, he just told me, 'Keep working. Be yourself, and that's going to take you a long way.' But in my mind, I'm looking at my mom like, 'I just met Mike!'"
Williamson and the Pelicans (27-34) are back in action Wednesday night when they visit Ball Arena to take on the Denver Nuggets as they attempt to hunt down the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.
New Orleans trails the Golden State Warriors (31-31) by 3.5 games for the 10th seed in the West, but three of its final 11 regular-season games are against the Dubs, so there's still time to make a charge.
Williamson, the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, is averaging 26.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 61.8 percent from the field across 56 appearances during his second NBA season.
Knicks Legend Charles Oakley: Julius Randle a Better Version of Zion Williamson
Apr 26, 2021
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during a break in game action during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in New York. The Knicks won in overtime 122-112. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)
New York Knicks fans were surely dreaming about Zion Williamson one day suiting up for their team after the New Orleans Pelicans star made headlines when he talked about how much he loves playing in the Big Apple.
However, to hear Charles Oakley tell it, the Knicks already have a better version of the young superstar.
"I think he's a better version of Zion Williamson to me," Oakley said Monday of Julius Randle during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio (h/t Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News). "Because he can do more. … I said last year, they [the Knicks] didn't have a superstar. And now they got a superstar."
Despite Oakley's comments, there's a reason Williamson is already held in such high regard around the league.
The Duke product is just 20 years old and made his first All-Star Game in 2020-21 as someone who can soar to the hoop, overpower defenders on the block and play in a point-forward role at times while initiating the offense. He figures to be among the NBA's best players for a decade-plus if he can stay healthy.
Randle was slower to establish himself as a go-to option after the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the No. 7 pick of the 2014 NBA draft.
While he was a double-double threat in Los Angeles and improved his scoring during one season with the Pelicans, Randle has finally elevated his game to superstar status this season under head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Kentucky product is averaging 24.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game behind 41.6 percent shooting from three-point range. His ability to hit from deep is one area where he is undoubtedly better than Zion at this stage of their respective careers.
Randle has also helped put the Knicks into playoff position with the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference at 34-27, while the 26-34 Pelicans are outside the postseason picture.
The two young stars may earn individual comparisons as they continue to progress, but Oakley believes New York is better off with the 26-year-old Randle leading the way.
Warriors vs. Pelicans ESPN Game on May 3 to Feature Marvel-Inspired Presentation
Apr 23, 2021
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Stephen Curry and Zion Williamson have been playing like superheroes this season, so it's only fitting that they will be part of a Marvel-inspired television presentation for the May 3 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans.
Per Alicia Jessop of The Athletic, ESPN platforms "will integrate elements from an original Marvel story and iconic characters" during the game.
Jessop added the game's commentary "will be provided from a fully customized Marvel-themed studio."
This comes on the heels of CBS experimenting with a Nickelodeon version of the NFC Wild Card Game between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.
That January 10 broadcast featured various Nickelodeon elements, including an image of SpongeBob Squarepants imposed over the field-goal netting and slime that would fill the screen whenever a touchdown was scored.
Since Marvel and ESPN are both owned by the Walt Disney Company, it only makes sense that they would try some kind of crossover broadcast to liven up the television presentation of the NBA.
There are few games that ESPN could have picked that would be more suited to showcasing superheroes.
Curry had a streak of 11 consecutive 30-point games snapped in his last outing, but the two-time NBA MVP is averaging 38.2 points on 46.8 percent three-point shooting since March 29. His 31.1 points per game this season leads the league.
Williamson ranks eighth in the NBA in scoring with 26.9 points per game in 54 starts for the Pelicans.
Zion Williamson Believes He Could Have Made It to NFL as TE or WR
Apr 20, 2021
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
"Yeah, I believe I could," Williamson told former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe with a laugh on the Club Shay Shay podcast. "I'm just a competitor."
Sharpe then asked the 2020-21 NBA All-Star what position he would have played in the NFL.
"I think I would either do tight end or receiver. One of those two," Williamson said.
Williamson, who played quarterback in youth football before shifting his focus to basketball, certainly possesses an NFL frame at 6'7", 284 pounds.
While that's tight end size, the 20-year-old Duke product has showcased a unique combination of power and athleticism that could have allowed him to operate as an outside receiver at that height and weight, which would have represented a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
At minimum, he could have been a red-zone weapon as somebody with the strength and leaping ability to make contested catches.
The Pelicans are happy Williamson chose the basketball route, as he's become the central figure in their building process, which has yielded a promising core with Williamson joined by Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who are 23.
The Pelicans will be back in action Tuesday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets while looking to chase down a playoff berth in the loaded Western Conference.
Pelicans' Zion Williamson 'Very Tempted' to Participate in NBA Dunk Contest
Apr 20, 2021
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks over Washington Wizards center Alex Len (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 16, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Zion Williamson has yet to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but the New Orleans Pelicans star isn't ruling out an appearance in the All-Star weekend event at some point.
Appearing on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe, Williamson said he is "very tempted" to participate in the Dunk Contest (starts at 16:30 mark):
Williamson does have a Slam Dunk Contest on his resume. The 20-year-old won the McDonald's All-American Dunk Contest in March 2018 as a high schooler, beating Quentin Grimes and Olivia Nelson-Ododa in the final.
During his rookie season in 2019-20, Williamson likely wouldn't have received clearance from the Pelicans to participate in the event on Feb. 15. He didn't make his NBA debut until Jan. 22 due to knee surgery for a torn meniscus.
Williamson was in Atlanta for this year's All-Star festivities on March 7 as a player on Kevin Durant's team, but the Dunk Contest was more subdued than in a normal years with only three competitors and took place during halftime of the All-Star Game.
It's rare that superstars take part in the Dunk Contest anymore. Anfernee Simons, Obi Toppin and Cassius Stanley made up the 2021 field. The last player named to the All-Star team who competed in the Dunk Contest in the same season was Victor Oladipo in 2018.
Williamson is a dunk machine and one of the most exciting players in the NBA. The second-year starranksfifth in the league with 113 dunks so far this season. He's averaging 26.8 points per game on 61.4 percent shooting in 52 starts for the Pelicans in 2020-21.
The playoff race across the NBA is heating up, and more and more games are carrying significant weight with the end of the season on the horizon. The No...
Zion Williamson on 1st Game vs. Knicks in MSG: 'I Love Playing Here'
Apr 18, 2021
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during a break in game action during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in New York. The Knicks won in overtime 122-112. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)
Following the Pelicans' 122-112 overtime defeat, Williamson told reporters he "love[s] playing here" and that the venue "might be my favorite place to play outside of New Orleans."
Zion on playing in MSG for the first time: "New York is the Mecca of basketball. I love playing here. ... This atmosphere whether they're cheering or booing for you, it's amazing. Outside of New Orleans, this might be my favorite place to play."
Williamson's comments will obviously have some Knicks fans dreaming of a day when the 6'7" forward is prowling the paint for the franchise. This isn't the first time he has spoken of his affinity for The Garden, either.
When Duke was preparing to play in the Big Apple in December 2018, Williamsoncalled MSGa place "where big names are made."
Of course, the Knicks probably would've won multiple titles over the past 15 or 20 years if they had signed every star player who spoke lovingly about Madison Square Garden.
LeBron James hasalways savored a road matchup against the Knicks. After dropping 61 points on New York in 2009, Kobe Bryant also said the arena was "special" because of how fans are willing to laud performances by opposing players.
Of course, Carmelo Anthony is the only marquee star in recent seasons to actually welcome the challenge of attempting to restore the Knicks back to glory. Things are improving under team president Leon Rose and head coach Tom Thibodeau, but the 2019 offseason illustrated the folly of thinking the organization can attract big names without first enjoying sustained stability.
And with regard to Williamson, it will probably be a long time before an exit from New Orleans becomes a realistic possibility. He isn't eligible for restricted free agency until 2023, at which point you'd expect the Pelicans to put a max deal on the table.
But that probably won't stop enterprising fans from photoshopping Williamson into Knicks threads.
Julius Randle Drops 33 as Knicks Hold Off Zion Williamson, Pelicans for OT Win
Apr 18, 2021
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) shoots in front of New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)
The New York Knicks extended their winning streak to six with a 122-112 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Julius Randle followed up his 44-point effort from Friday with 33 more Sunday at Madison Square Garden, while Derrick Rose (23 points) had one of his best games of the season.
It was still Reggie Bullock who had the biggest shot of the game while forcing overtime with a clutch three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining:
Randle and Rose took over from there to secure the hard-fought win.
The Knicks appeared ready for an easy win after a dominant second quarter put them up 13 points at halftime. The Pelicans returned the favor in the third to even the score at 79, while a back-and-forth fourth quarter kept things tied.
New York pulled away in the extra session for the squad's sixth win in a row, the franchise's longest streak since 2013-14. The 31-27 squad is also one step closer to clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2013.
The Pelicans' playoff hopes are now in serious trouble after a third straight loss dropped them to 25-32, putting them 11th-best in the Western Conference. Zion Williamson scored 34 in his first NBA game at MSG but wasn't able to avoid another disappointing loss from the team.
When he wasn't scoring, Randle was helping on both ends with 10 assists and five steals. He finished plus-14 in 47 minutes as the only starter on his team with a positive plus/minus.
The efficiency wasn't his best (11-of-28 from the field), but the All-Star was easily the best player on the floor for the Knicks and spent very little time on the bench.
RJBarrett provided plenty of help early in the game, scoring 10 points in the first on his way to an 18-point game.
The guard also ended his night with six turnovers and fouled out with more than four minutes remaining in regulation.
New York also got plenty of production from Rose off the bench, providing his highest-scoring output since joining the team in February. His clutch plays down the stretch both as a scorer and passer helped the Knicks force overtime.
NerlensNoel deserves credit for his defensive impact after suffering a hand injury earlier in the day:
Randle still remained the star of the day with his complete effort in an important game.
Zion Williamson Adds to His Highlight Reel in Loss
Williamson has been red-hot since the All-Star break and came through with another big effort, topping 20 points for the 17th time in the last 18 games.
The forward showcased his ability to get to the basket in a number of ways throughout the game:
Even while missing all three three-point attempts, Williamson remained efficient with his 13-of-23 from the field.
Without a rim protector on the floor for much of the game for the Knicks, there wasn't much the opponent could do to slow Zion down. It continues an incredible start to the career for the 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick.
Zion Williamson recorded his 20th career 30-point game today (76th game), tying Allen Iverson for 2nd-fastest to reach that mark over the last 40 seasons. Only Michael Jordan (55 games) got there faster. pic.twitter.com/IrQrZdEwNl
The Pelicans' supporting cast had some big moments as well to keep the game competitive, none bigger than Eric Bledsoe. The guard scored just two in the first half but finished with 22, coming up huge in the third to overcome an early deficit.
Bledsoe hits another 3. He's got 13 points in the quarter.
That's the most he's scored in a quarter all season.
It still wasn't enough to overcome the usual problems defensively as well as 6-of-27 shooting as a team from three-point range.
The quality effort from multiple players still resulted in a third straight loss for the Pelicans.
What's Next?
The schedule remains difficult for the Pelicans, which will return home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. The Knicks will host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday to continue the six-game homestand.
Despite the best efforts of should-be NBA MVP candidate Stephen Curry and nightly triple-double threat Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors are scrambling to keep their playoff hopes alive...
The New York Knicks extended their winning streak to six with a 122-112 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.