Zion withdraws from USA Select

@ShamsCharania

New Orleans Pelicans No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson has withdrawn from USA Basketball's Select Team for FIBA World Cup training, Team USA director Jerry Colangelo told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.


@ShamsCharania

Williamson and the Pelicans are focused on having the top pick fully integrated into the franchise and its new additions this offseason -- as quickly as possible. USA has available pool of names to choose from even as players withdraw.

I don't agree with this move. I understand the need to keep him healthy but this was an opportunity to go against our best in a controlled environment.

Not too surprising, kind of a shame in some ways, but I don't blame the team for wanting him just immersed in their system. Griff said at Summer League that Zion is going to be spending the summer in New Orleans with the training staff, with Aaron Nelson, etc, to really maximise his physical potential, make sure he's in peak shape, get him training, etc etc, so it's no real shock that they wouldn't interrupt that to send him away for large chunks of time to do the Team USA Select thingy.

Not mad at this decision.

good...enough with sharing zion with the world....time for him to be home and taking care of business with the pelicans....

Personally, I would've liked for him to participate & send some of trainers with him. You get to play/learn from some of the top players/minds in the game. I understand the decision tho.

This is one of the stupidest takes I've seen on line https://t.co/CmMtVpjlEs

— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) July 22, 2019

Waiting for this terrible take to migrate all over the internet. Cannot wait for the Lakers fans to tell us how injury prone Zion is while they trumpet AD around the show.

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Originally Posted by 8th_ward

I don't agree with this move. I understand the need to keep him healthy but this was an opportunity to go against our best in a controlled environment.

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Most of the top players are pulling out. I don't think it is worth it.

people with sense knew it was the shoe blowout that caused the injury......dont think this will be a internet issue this season.....

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

people with sense

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There's your problem. There's only about 30 of those people on the entirety of NBA twitter.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Most of the top players are pulling out. I don't think it is worth it.

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Yep, AD, Harden, CJ McCollum, none of those guys will be there. Lebron is basically never there.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Yep, AD, Harden, CJ McCollum, none of those guys will be there. Lebron is basically never there.

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Gordon, Harris and Beal pulled out as well.

well I like the move. Let Nelson have some time with him

Right after Anthony Davis was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012, he spent time right away with USA Basketball. Not even attending summer league with Austin Rivers.

Zion is skipping USA Basketball, which was called “legal tampering” by Griff, and going straight in Pelican activities.

— Jesse Brooks (@jessecbrooks) July 22, 2019

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Zion is skipping USA Basketball, which was called “legal tampering” by Griff

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Interesting quote.

With all due respect to team USA, I can see why players may not feel motivated to risk their bodies for the national team. There isn’t really much of a competitive balance in international basketball for it to feel like much of an achievement. Maybe one day we will get there as the game continues to expand globally. As for right now, I have no problem with Zion or others protecting themselves.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Interesting quote.

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Griff has called team USA and USA basketball ''legalised tampering'' about 50 times in his recent press tour :hihi: he doesn't seem to be saying it in a vindictive, angry way, more just a comment on how it puts all the players in close proximity to each other, almost like letting them do trial-runs of guys they'd like to team up with later.

My hope is once Zion is fully acclimatized to the NBA, that going to Team USA camp puts other sniper elite players at risk of Zion swaying THEM.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Griff has called team USA and USA basketball ''legalised tampering'' about 50 times in his recent press tour :hihi: he doesn't seem to be saying it in a vindictive, angry way, more just a comment on how it puts all the players in close proximity to each other, almost like letting them do trial-runs of guys they'd like to team up with later.

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Does that make the All-Star game legal tampering?

...grabs popcorn

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Originally Posted by Pels4Life

Does that make the All-Star game legal tampering?

...grabs popcorn

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Probably, especially now that players literally select the team mates they'd prefer to play with instead of strict conference splits.

Of course, the All-Star game isn't really quite the same because the teams don't really practise that much or spend that much time together. Team USA has all the players practising and playing together for weeks.

And while going to Team USA assumes a certain level of skill...when AD went to Team USA he was an absolute raw rookie. His first integration into the league was surrounded by elite players. Making friends with guys who he'd only see in passing or as opponents for the most part. And certainly not competing at a high level together.

However, All-Star game is brief. And if Zion makes it as a rookie, it means he had an above average at least rookie campaign.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

However, All-Star game is brief. And if Zion makes it as a rookie, it means he had an above average at least rookie campaign.

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I think Zion honestly has a really good chance of being an all-star. His hype is just off the charts and obviously that impacts the fan vote. KD's left the conference so his perennial spot has kind of opened up. If Zion can put up strong numbers, he has as good a chance as any guy under 23.

It’s a great move. With the professional care these guys get. His daily routine up till the season start should look something like this:

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner prepared by nutritious

1 hour warm up and stretch session with trainer

2 hour workout combination of drills and fundamentals

1 hour of cardio. Integrate pool sessions to mitigate stress on body

1 hour cool down including stretch season with trainer.

Deep tissue massage 3 times per week.

Posture and movement correction 3 times per week.


The pelicans have the time right now to get Zion in shape and on the right path. Let’s hope they take advantage.

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Originally Posted by 8th_ward

I don't agree with this move. I understand the need to keep him healthy but this was an opportunity to go against our best in a controlled environment.

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AD learned and made connections from/with other NBA players(James, Paul,etc...) during the FIBA games. We don't need this to happen to this young man as it did to AD. While the experience may be good for him it depends on what experience he is getting.

Did anyone watch the Olympics i think it was AD's rookie year? Watched every game, I think AD got 11 minutes at the end of a win. Zion is not missing anything other than meeting the players. He will be more prepared to play Pelicans basketball to start the season now.

Lillard and Derozan pulled out today.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

Did anyone watch the Olympics i think it was AD's rookie year? Watched every game, I think AD got 11 minutes at the end of a win. Zion is not missing anything other than meeting the players. He will be more prepared to play Pelicans basketball to start the season now.

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Definitely watched the Olympics in ADs rookie year. It was when I got into basketball.

A lot of this has to do with these games are so close to training camp. Then they'll do this again at next year's summer Olympics.

Zion isn't on/dropping out of the national team, he was asked to be part of the group that practices against the national team to help them get ready for the World Cup.