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Zion Williamson is the 1st player in NBA history to go 4-4 (or better) on threes in his NBA debut (via @EliasSports).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2020
His 22 points are the most in a player's debut in @PelicansNBA history, passing Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/FoVIfNe7hS
Basketball.
That's not a conclusion you can draw from this game. Jax was actually very good defensively for several stretches, including some impressive D on LMA, who is far stronger and heavier than him.
Nobody's denying that Hayes needs work on his defensive consistency and his strength, but to describe him as ''lost'' after this game is just flat inaccurate.
From @EliasSports: Zion Williamson's 22 points are the most in an NBA debut in fewer than 20 minutes played in the shot clock era (since 1954-55).
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 23, 2020
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Zion is the first player in NBA history with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 threes in less than 20 minutes played.
If I'm Zion's teammate and I see him single handedly bring the team back, my mindset is "I have got to go win this game." Which means I am going to go and attack.
Instead the frontline players come in and brick everything, then miss assignments on defense.
Well done, you've picked out a single possession.
I didn't say ''Jaxson didn't make a single mistake!!'', I said ''Jax was actually very good defensively for several stretches''. Obviously that allows for a few mistakes. He's 19, making a few mistakes is allowed. Overall he was good.
Zion on being pulled: "It was very hard. ... I'm 19. In that moment, I'm not thinking about longevity. I'm thinking about winning the game. It was very hard (to get pulled)."
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 23, 2020
Just reported on ESPN that Gentry got into it with the medical staff during Zions run..
Besides Zion, only other good news is they are still only 4 games out in mid January, now behind San Antonio. Still 3 more games against San Antonio.
Time is getting shorter and shorter though.
Watching this game makes me very concerned about the long term spacing with the starting line up of Ball, Holiday, Ingram, Zion, and Favors. Seemed like The Spurs were crowding the paint and it heavily affected Ingram as well as Holiday early on. Zion’s gravity was the team’s saving grace as it allowed Favors to get a lot of open looks early on. Ingram has always been most effective with at least 3 spacers on the court. Watching tonight makes me wonder about the fit of Ingram and Holiday in the long run with Zion on the court.
Before the season, myself and some others (I think Shamit from BSS was on this wavelength too) argued in favour of starting Jrue/JJ/Ingram/Zion/Favors instead of Lonzo/Jrue/Ingram/Zion/Favors, just to ensure there was more shooting in that opening lineup.
Obviously Ingram has improved as a shooter too, so between him and Redick, I think there would be enough, but it would involve moving Lonzo to the bench. Personally, I don't mind trying that because the bench unit sometimes ends up with no ball-handlers on it anyway, so why not ensure there's always at least one?
There was no spacing problem with that unit whatsoever. Ingram and Holiday had wide open looks. Plus both can create their own shot. Favors was scoring easily in the 1st half. They hadnt shot this poorly all year and it had nothing to do with poor spacing.
The only issue is they need time playing together and Ingram and Holiday need to step it up when everybody is looking. For the most part they played like deer in the headlights tonight.
Look, JAX is an incredible talent, and will have a very good career. Right now he's a not a very good player, nor should he be. He's only been playing competitive basketball regularly for three years. He is a "Flash or Crash" player (there is no middle ground)….his cerebral game is non-existent. He'll either mesmerize you with is God given talent or dumbfound you with his boneheaded play. One day, it'll click for him, but that is a season or two away.
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of people saying this because usually it's just an excuse to avoid discussing the issues, but I'm genuinely convinced we didn't watch the same game.
Jax made errors, yes. Nobody is denying that. He also maintained verticality and defended Aldridge on multiple plays without fouling or jumping at fakes, held good position on drives from guards without swiping, moved his feet well, and even attempted to draw that charge from LMA (frankly, it was an offensive foul, refs just didn't care).
Did he also have some stupid moments? Sure. Nobody, again, nobody is saying he's flawless. Of course he's not.
But to say he's all flash or nothing, and that unless he's doing ''mesmerising'' ''talent'' plays his game is ''non-existent''... that's just not reality. It's not based on the actual play during games.
Well they didnt stop any dribble penetration because most of the Pelicans points were coming in the paint early. Thats the main reason they were only down 8 - 10 points after only shooting 35% + all the turnovers. San Antonio should have been up 20.
Spacing is not an issue. They will not start another game this year 0-10 from 3.
Too much spotlight on beta players was the problem tonight not spacing. It was a playoff atmosphere in there tonight and outside of Zion (in the 4th) and Hart, the team didnt respond well.
Last edited by luckyman; 01-23-2020 at 12:16 AM.
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