Zombie OT: Zion

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by THE HCP, Nov 7, 2018.

  1. Haakzilla

    Haakzilla Well-Known Member

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    ...ok fine, more like Jerryd Bayless :breakdance:
     
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  2. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    Hello darkness, my old friend
    I think Zion's pretty special. I don't know if he'll quite reach the greatness that past "phenom prospects" like Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant (sadly, Greg Oden also belongs in the list here, but obviously busted heavily due to injury), LeBron James, Tim Duncan, etc, but the array of skills he has, with the body type he has, with the athleticism he has offers the upside of a unique player who can do things no one else can. He could be Draymond Green on defense while being a Shaq who can lead the break on offense.
     
  3. Haakzilla

    Haakzilla Well-Known Member

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  4. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

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    I haven't watched enough Duke games to have seen any examples of what you're talking about. I've seen Zion make extremely coordinated athletic plays. I've yet to see him fail to do so. So, my answer to your question would have to be along the lines of, you're imagining it.
     
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  5. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    I'm worried about his knees.
     
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  6. PCmor7

    PCmor7 Generational Poster

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    That's a very telling reply from someone who admits they haven't watched enough Duke games. I mean, it's one thing to disagree. But to try to belittle someone else because you don't like their opinion? My answer to that would be something along the lines of well, that's ignorant.
     
  7. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

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    You asked how I would answer it... In my opinion, you're barking up the wrong tree and trying to find a flaw that doesn't exist. I've seen Zion make coordinated, athletic plays that very few people on this planet are capable of. I've yet to see him be incapable of making such a play, as you claim.

    If someone can make those plays, it stands to reason they're capable of it at any time. You can't fake that. Did you ever consider that he simply hasn't polished his game enough to go with finesse moves regularly? Dude's used to just powering through people and still has some adapting to do.
     
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  8. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    I disagree completely:

    I know you're mesmerized by the gun show!

    But he's not all top heavy like you say.

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  9. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Zion will play Small Forward.

    Stop with this PF shit. Lol.
     
  10. JDC

    JDC Well-Known Member

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    Based on what?

    He's a huge mismatch at that position and has more than enough strength, rebounding and defensive ability to hold up there.

    Honestly think small ball 5 is his most likely secondary role/position as well.
     
  11. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Based on what?

    He's a huge mismatch at the 3 as well.

    See what I did there?
     
  12. JDC

    JDC Well-Known Member

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    But why play him there if he's a bigger one at the 4 and can defend the position?

    The current NBA is all about maximizing the skill level on the floor while still being able to defend at a high level.
     
  13. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I'm thinking SF.
     
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  14. TorturedBlazerFan

    TorturedBlazerFan Well-Known Member

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    I think you’ll disagree with this, and thats ok we can have opinions.

    I think Zions a bit of a “tweener” forward. Offensively he can play point forward I think.

    Defensively he’s a highlight reel, but I really wonder how he’ll do when he gets switched to quicker guards and forwards, to me his east / west lateral quickness is a little suspect. That said if guys try to just beat him to the rim, I think even in the NBA that will welcome them to the block party. Im a little worried that he has “shot blocker syndrome too”, he jumps at everything...

    I still think he’s going to be a very good NBA Player and a very unique talent.
     
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  15. JDC

    JDC Well-Known Member

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    He was rarely in a stance at Duke. But when he decided to sit down, he had moments where he'd mirror quick pg's.

    Think he's a legitimately great athlete in every sense, just struggles with the fundamentals. So we'll see if or how much that improves in the NBA, but I trust his IQ and mentality at a level where I'm comfortable projecting at least modest improvement.

    And even if it doesn't happen, he still has that incredible recovery ability to make plays regardless.
     
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  16. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

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    I know there's no way we're getting Zion without giving up some combination of CJ, Dame, Nurk, and picks, but let your mind wander for a moment...

    Pair rabid shot blockers Zion and Zach on the front line and you've got ... ZZ Stop! It's worth gutting the team just for that nickname, IMO.
     
  17. SheedSoNasty

    SheedSoNasty Well-Known Member

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    He’s got Marcus Fizer and Anthony Bennett written all over him.
     
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  18. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    That is almost as amazing as the Gay/Love frontcourt that was together in Memphis for a few ticks. (Turned into Gay/Mayo).
     
  19. PCmor7

    PCmor7 Generational Poster

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    The one caveat to that is that if Anthony Davis, LeBron, Giannis, KD, LMA, Blake Griffin, etc. beat you to the rim, they're packing it. You aren't blocking them from behind, because it's a dunk.

    Same goes for most NBA threes.

    If any of you guys watched Patrick Ewing or Hakeem play in college, they rejected everything. Ewing played in a league that had three Final Four teams one year. Hakeem faced longtime NBA journeyman centers Joe Kleine and Jon Koncak. They almost inarguably played better competition in college than Zion faced this season. They were matched against multiple guys they faced in the pros for 10 years.

    Ewing and Hakeem got to the NBA and they weren't nearly the same otherwordly shot blockers, because, quite simply, offensive players were bigger, longer, stronger, faster and craftier, if necessary, to either score, dunk or get them off their feet and out of position. Both those players, though, grew by leaps and bounds offensively ... they were athletic 7-footers with room to develop in that way.
     
  20. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    All of these are reasons to play him at the 3.
     

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