Outwardly, hes in the best shape of his career, though he greets questions about weight, body fat and other metrics with just a sprawling smile. This is a BETA experience. ! a young girl asks, a touch of concern in her voice, as if speaking for millions of fans who are wondering where hes been, how hes doing and what hell look like when he reemerges. So, when I got to make certain moves, there is that hesitation, Williamson said. Thats elite! enthuses a third voicehis stepfather and coach, Lee Anderson. 116.202.65.103 It was something to witness., Then he laughed, recalling all the rumors about his wanderlust. Trade this man, Mills wrote. . 4. . Weatherspoon had a terrific career in the WNBA, and would be the first woman ever named as an NBA head coach if she gets the job. Do the Pelicans regret trading Jrue Holiday? Rip City Remix is an homage to the vintage era of the Portland Trail Blazers. I dont want to go out there and be in my own head and affect the team when I can just be on the sideline supporting them more, because I know myself. Odds and lines subject to change. Zion Williamson: Pelicans star already blowing minds - Sports Illustrated . It took a lot. NBA Play-In - West - 9th Place vs 10th Place. The timing is deliberate, designed to get them out by 7:45, before the womens volleyball team takes over the gymand to hopefully avoid detection by curious onlookers. The rumors have been flying around almost since the day the New Orleans Pelicans drafted Zion Williamson: He wants out of New Orleans Pelicans Fighting For Playoff Life, Zion . While Stephen A. Smith took shots at Zion Williamson online, his alleged girlfriend/adult film star Moriah Mills . this could be something crazy.. Similarly, the Pelicans could be looking at a situation where Williamson's trade value decreases over the next two years, should issues around him keep popping up. Needless to say, solving these issues in order to build a positive long-term relationship with Williamson should be the overwhelming priority as opposed to trading him. Zion Williamson is trending on Twitter, and the jokes are incredible 8. 1 overall pick, Williamson was reportedly dismayed because he was hoping to land with the New York Knicks, who came away with the third pick. If Williamson did ask for a trade, suddenly he would look like the bad guy in the situation. Its possible that Williamson is stuck in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. Williamsons day concludes after 9 p.m., the skies dark again. Even if Williamson did want to leave New Orleans, it would require him playing out the next two years of his rookie contract and then taking a big risk by playing on the qualifying offer. I personally have little doubt that those elements of his game are for real. They aint ready for you!. I could only do limited rehab things. Whats up with Zion? If you would have asked me two years ago, I definitely would have said, Yeah, I need to remind people. Get the latest on New Orleans Pelicans PF Zion Williamson including news, stats, videos, and more on CBSSports.com 10. So while the rest of us might view this season as a Revenge Tour or a Remember Me campaign, Zion Williamson himself sees it more as a gauge: of just how far hes come, of how well hes recovered, rebuilt and evolved in the 533 days between his last game and his next one. Those are considerable unknowns, and not minor issues to brush off. Instead, the Sixers are now stuck with Simmons who no team is willing to relinquish much for, with no Butler to soften that blow. The beautiful thing about Williamsons game has always been his maturity. People ignore that he shot a passable 33.8% on 71 three-point attempts at Duke. I cover a wide variety of subjects within the NBA. Jeremy Woo. The high-level developmental league had 4 players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft. Bradley won the Travelers Championship at 23-under-par, and McIlroy was not too fond of the course that produced such low scoring. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. He leaned hard on the 56-year-old Weatherspoon (shes like my big sister) and assistant coach Corey Brewer (my people for life), as well as his family and his faith. Zion Williams - Frederick V. Pankow Center - LinkedIn . 14 in exchange for its pick at No. Its going to be hard to avoid the microscope with the way Williamson draws headlines, but there shouldnt be too much pressure on the Pelicans in Year One of whats been an impressive retooling, in the wake of Anthony Davis. NAMI Store. Eligibility restrictions apply. He played in just 24 games as a rookie, mostly because of a left knee injury. They don't know whether his body will hold up given that his weight fluctuates. Zion Williamson's Alleged Relationship with Moriah Mills - Complex Labs in SRL's community use the prompt instructions and guidelines to submit work to our team of youth media producers for publication. She also shared screenshots of an apparent Snapchat exchange with Williamson, one of which implied an offer to fund a move to New Orleans. We havent seen Zion soar for 17 months, leaving the world to wonder: Is he still the prince that was promised? NAMI 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22203. The Pelicans missed the playoffs for the second straight season by finishing 31-41 on the year. And though he wont divulge his weight, Williamson jokes that he wouldnt mind that number leakingas a counterpoint to the whispers of him once weighing 330 pounds. To consider him the top prospect is to believe in his immense athletic gifts transcending the question of positionality. Its not rocket science that his best role offensively has always been at the five, but until he becomes a more flexible defender, its hard to see the Pelicans being able to rely on those types of lineups for long stretches. Is Williamson as frustrated as his family is about his tenure with the Pelicans? But Team Zion isnt ready to disclose specifics on this day, not with another three weeks of work before reporting to training camp. Zion Williamson blew the mind of an adorable kid at his basketball camp with a casual tomahawk dunk. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The great Tom Ziller once wrote we should kill the NBA draft, and that argument is sounding more convincing by the day. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Theyre just maybe slightly higher than they already were, say, seven days ago. John Collins is headed to Utah in exchange for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick, per multiple reports. Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices. What looks like a wandering eye, may simply be admiration from childhood allegiances. He missed all of his third season because of a broken right foot and played in just 29 games during the 2022-23 regular season. In actuality, its still a column about expectations. @Zionwilliamson pic.twitter.com/ZeAgAsUoOf. The physical recovery was hard enough. I love this game, Williamson said. Had there been a little daylight, heres what everyone else on that track would have seen: a swift, sculpted 6' 6" tower of muscle, streaking down the straightaways like a supersized Usain Bolt. The toll grew so heavy that Williamson could hardly mask the strain. Woods and McIlroys new league, TGL, will have six teams when the league begins in January 2024, with Fenway Sports Group playing a vital role. Zion Williamsons off-court drama isnt slowing down. Everybodys played some kind of part, he says. Whats for certain is that Williamson is something weve never seen before, and while some teams may be afraid to take the chance, others will see enormous potential. I was in dark places at times, Williamson says, because I couldnt play basketball. This was supposed to be a column gauging expectations for Zion Williamsons rookie season. The promise the club showed late last season gave Williamson enough confidence in the clubs future to sign a rookie max extension worth close to $200 million during the next five seasons. Williamson has rarely been seen or heard in the last 17 months, outside of a July 6 press conference to announce a contract extension worth at least $193 million (a deal that, sources confirm, includes weight and body-fat requirements). Gambling Problem? There certainly has been plenty of smoke about Williamsons unease in New Orleans since the Pelicans landed his draft rights, though, and this will only make the situation more uncomfortable. He was the lead decision-maker in Cleveland for LeBron James second stint with the franchise, when James was annually signing one-year deals with a player option for the next season. The prompts include deadlines, but educators can create their own timelines and deadlines. On My Mind - song and lyrics by Zia Williams | Spotify It felt like a bold decision at the time, when the national focus heavily centered on R.J. Barrett. New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson amazed local youth with his explosive dunks during his community basketball camp at Dryades YMCA. Even though I was sitting still, I felt like my blood was racing, like I was playing out there. Sex tapes dropping soon.. . SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Yeah, hes coming for everybody next year.. Williamson has yet to address Mills allegations publicly, in addition to the pregnancy. I dont like people to know my next move, he says. He missed the entire 202122 season to recover from foot surgery and played in only 29 games last season due to a hamstring injury. It was just one of many such discussions along the way, as Williamson worked to repair both his body and his psyche, one day at a time. While it is possible that New Orleans could stack its No. Williamson, the first overall pick by the Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft, is in the first year of a five-year, $193 million maximum contract extension. Zion isn't committed to New Orleans. Hopefully you have a bunch of time on your hands because there are a lot of them to go through. Fresh off signing his 5-year max extension, a healthy Zion Williamson is ready to prove doubters wrong and guide New Orleans to deep postseason run. Zion Williamson is reportedly unhappy with the Pelicans, and there's no Hes primarily a two-footed leaper, gathering off of both feet to better maintain his balance in mid-air, and hes exhibited enough of a handle to get downhill in quick-catch situations and to beat most opponents to spots off the dribble. McCollum as the Trail Blazers continue to shake up the organization this offseason. Like, if I can really come back from this right . As Weatherspoon frequently tells him: The things that you desire in this game, or in life period, its what you put into it. NBA I have sex tapes of me and @Zionwilliamson and he also has them on his trap phone, Mills wrote, tagging the NBA and the Pelicans in her post. . Except hes now returning to a Pelicans team that made the playoffs without him, with a new coach, an overhauled roster, a star wing inBrandon Ingramand a star playmaker inCJ McCollum. I dont know if the Hornets would want Zion Williamson, Charaniasaid on the show. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). Time to Schein: Zion Williamson is Out for Play-In Tournament. Because I feel like when I tell, it doesnt even feel humble at all. When you see somebody cry for you because of what youre going throughshe cried for me. However, when Williamson is active, he is a dominant force. The time for spotlights and highlights and Yo, remember me? jackhammer dunks will be here soon enough, a time to show instead of tell. Maybe yes, according to multiple reports, which is why rumors of the Pelicans trading him for the No. He understands exactly what hes capable of and rarely strays from that formula, which leads to shots that are almost exclusively team-friendly. Its been great to see Williamson already identify his role in the offense and where his points will come from. After all, if there is any truth in the returning media rumblings in regards to Williamson possibly taking the qualifying offer, which is still two years away, that changes the situation drastically. If they want to accelerate their timeline and build around Brandon Ingram instead, they can identify players in his age bracket, or older, to make a push for the 2023 playoffs. Source said the former Duke star was rooting to go to New York, but now is going to New Orleans. There have been moments with the Pelicans where hes gotten lost and moments where his explosiveness covers for those mistakes. That Williamson hit that time after hed already run a mile and a half as a warmup. This Zion Williamson is noticeably more contoured than the Zion Williamson who last appeared on an NBA court on May 4, 2021. . Zion is out of shape, they said (albeit in much harsher terms). Its a remarkable feat for anyone, period. . Here are 10 rational thoughts about Zion Williamson before the hysteria overwhelms. Moriah Mills threatens to leak alleged Zion Williamson sex tapes This has been Williamsons routine every day since Team Zion decamped to Fort Lauderdale: rising at 4:50 a.m., arriving at FAU a half hour later for a morning conditioning session with Bibbs, followed by basketball drills with Anderson. New Orleans owes Eric Bledsoe $18 million next season, Steven Adams $17.5 million annually for the next two seasons, and Brandon Ingram $130 million over the next four seasons. But Zion 2.0 says none of that really matters to him, at least not in the way we expect. Zion told us he would shock the world but we didnt think this is what he had in mind. Over the course of the next few months, the team will learn more about that dynamic, and whether or not Williamson can find piece under new leadership. There is ESPN's Brian . Do that, match his words to his actions, and the speculation will slow (but never entirely stop, welcome to the modern NBA). The Pelicans missed the playoffs during Williamsons first two seasons. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke, but team success for the New Orleans Pelicans has yet to follow. Whichever direction the Pelicans would go in under the above circumstances, the logic behind trading one of the most productive young stars in the NBA would rest on stability and assurances. Zion Williamson Remains Out Indefinitely Ahead Of Pelicans Upcoming Play-In Game. However, in a Friday appearance onThe Pat McAfee Show, The Athletics Shams Charaniareported that Charlotte is interested in acquiring Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans selection at No. Of Weatherspoon, Williamson says, She saved me from so many kind of like mental breakdowns. METAIRIE, La. Williamson is capable of dominating a game within its margins, and without ever having to hijack it. Pelicans' Zion Williamson on his NBA journey: 'I was in dark places at Performance & security by Cloudflare. Now another postseason has arrived, and Williamson is again unavailable to play for now. Until then, the Pelicans need to gauge the situation for what it appears to be on the surface. Hes patient, likes to initiate contact, and at some point sooner than later, hes probably going to start getting officiated like a star. For those people that think that I just want to sit on the sideline just to sit over there, I dont know why people think that. pic.twitter.com/MgI71L0p9H. Center Jonas Valanciunas knows he 'can't just be a post-up player' if New Orleans hopes to reach its lofty goals. In any other industry, workers dont get forced into accepting their first job. It bothers me that people would even do that to him., Williamson later adds: I felt helpless. Im worried about, Man, I hope my foot heals right, because if it doesnt, who knows, I may not get to play basketball again.. Soon enough, Williamson will seek to reclaim his role as one of the games premier showmena high-flying, rim-wrecking nuclear reactor. 2 pick and it is widely expected that Henderson will be selected in the top three of next weeks draft. I dont know how else to say it. Yesterday, Zion Williamson announced that he was going to be a father. Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson on Amazon Music - Amazon.com Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, are reportedly open to trading star Zion Williamson. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. But then, he says, so has he. Eamon Lynchs latest opinion piece put Patrick Cantlay between the crosshairs of the PGA Tour LIV Golf deal. Zion Williamson is trending on Twitter, and the jokes are incredible, LIV Golfs stunning relegation reveal points to existence into future despite PGA Tour deal. GM David Griffin knows what its like to deal with pressure from a superstar. Its an important marker for the youngPelicansstar as he makes his way back from a broken right foot and a lost season. We've received your submission. Williamson says hes thrilled to have two elite scorers to share the load and more shooters on the roster than hes had since arriving in New Orleans. NASCAR penalizes Sheldon Creed for wrecking competitor at Nashville, Struggling Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah allows 11 runs in first minor league game, Duplantis sets world-leading outdoor mark of 6.12 meters at Golden Spike, Strickers full circle moment at Senior Open, How new mindset took Finaus game to another level, Finau details changes to game thats led to wins, Zion hadnt spoken publicly about his situation since training camp, Via Rod Walker at the New Orleans Times-Picayune, being away from the team during much of his rehab. After a broken foot erased his entire season, Williamson was lost, wondering if hed ever playbasketball again. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. NBA Draft team grades 2023: 8 clubs earn an A for total draft night hauls. He was also a veteran player who could have helped them compete for a playoff spot this season. 9. Acquire a higher understanding of where Williamson stands on these potential challenges, as to best map out a road to get everything back on track. With the emotional support came a consistent theme: Your success, your health and your happiness are up to you. Hes too strong, too explosive, and has an unbelievable knack for using the glass, feeling out pockets of space around the basket, and converting. The pressure to build a winner increased again on Thursday when The Athletic reported that the Pelicans havent been able to make Williamson and his family happy in New Orleans. There are lots of allegations being thrown out there right now, and were not going to address them here because thats not what we do. But expect opponents to try and pick on him using screens on and off the ball until he exhibits a better feel for switching and communicating assignments. It just sucks. Grayson Allen is the NBA's lingering homage to the grimy toughness of 1990s basketball. 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