Following his poor performance during the in-season tournament last week, Zion Williamson received plenty of criticism in the media. He responded with a dominant performance against Minnesota on Monday, pouring in 36 points in the Pelicans’ 121-107 win.
As for the criticism, this is what Williamson had to say, as relayed by the New Orleans’ Times-Picayune’s Rod Walker: “If it comes from a great place, and a place where they want to see me do better, thank you. If it comes from anywhere else, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. Can’t control that.”
However, there’s no guarantee he will play against the Wizards on Wednesday. Williamson suffered a left ankle sprain in the late going on Monday and is listed as questionable, Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Spurs’ lack of a lead ball-handler was apparent once again in their 17th consecutive loss on Monday. They shot 5-for-41 from the field in the 93-82 loss to Houston and their point total was the lowest for any NBA team this season. Kelly Iko of The Athletic notes that former starting point guard Tre Jones logged just 16 minutes. “He’s definitely the floor general,” Keldon Johnson said. “He gets them (the second unit) into sets.”
- While Mark Cuban is in the process of selling a majority stake in the Mavericks franchise, there’s one holdout among the minority owners. Mary Stanton informed the franchise she won’t be selling her stake at this time, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, who previously reported that all of the minority shareholders would be bought out. Stanton is the widow of Horace Ardinger, an original shareholder who bought a 4.13% stake in the franchise in 1980. A Board of Governors vote on the sale will be held on Dec. 20.
- With the 25-game suspension of Grizzlies star Ja Morant nearing its end, he found himself testifying during the first day of an immunity hearing at Shelby County Circuit Court on Monday, Baxter Holmes of ESPN reports. Morant claimed he acted in self-defense when he punched a teenager at his home in July 2022. The incident occurred during a pickup basketball game. Morant said the teen struck him with a basketball. “I hit him first — to protect myself,” Morant said.
There was a time when “star” players needed nothing but the opportunity to compete against the best to be motivated to give their all.
Michael Jordan being stricken with an illness usually meant he was gonna give you 40 or 50 as his focus went to another level.
Kobe tore his Achilles. Proceeded to walk to the free throw, nailed both free throws to give the Lakers the lead late, and then walked to the bench on a torn Achilles. Brandon Jennings tore his Achilles, and left the floor in a wheel chair.
Yet Zion needs added motivation just to run hard up and down the floor.
Perceived lazy players just now? Maybe you see what you want to see. Barkley “mentoring” AI. No practice. Dumas. JR Rider. Kwame brown. Sweetney. Glen robinson. Walter berry. Ben Simmons, Kyrie, Harden.
They are people just like the rest of us.
5-41 from 3 is absolutely horrendous. You’d think after bricking more than a few, they’d concentrate on getting the ball inside and trying to find better looks, but no..just kept throwing them up. They’re clearly pushing hard to turn Sochan into a point guard, so teething pains are expected..but there has to be a balance. Tre has to play more than scrub minutes.
It’s an experiment in tanking…
Let’s get a PF to play full time at PG when we have a true PG already…
It could make Sochan a terrific 2nd option to run an offence down the line… But is doing nothing for the win column right now…
I 100% agree, and I think the spurs are correct with making this a 2+ year tanking process. Duncan had a hungry Robinson when he came in, so it made sense to push for a chip on his rookie year. Wemby came into what was already, by far, the youngest team in the league – it seems wise to get another lottery pick to grow alongside him.
I loved sochan on defense but this year he’s been letting his poor offense affect his timing and decision making on defense. Hopefully he matures sooner rather than later.
Vassel is still a little streaky and I expect him to mature into that #24 one day, as for now he should wear the #8.
Keldon is just a dawg, man.. keep feeding him and watch him out-hustle the opponents wing players.
Spurs know best, and it’s easy to see a bright future for that organization with how easy-going and intelligent wemby is, within that 8 foot wingspan jfccc
You can’t get into it over a basketball game. When you are the star of an NBA team. I know it was awhile ago. Ja needs to grow up. Stop this foolishness …..
Spurs should make an offer for Quickley. Fits them well.