Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant studies the game and its history as much as any top player in the NBA today. That’s why his praise of New Orleans Pelicans young forward Zion Williamson as a “one of one”-type of talent speaks volumes about the kind of ability he believes the 22-year-old possesses. “You’ve seen guys at that size, 6-7, that can get up and down the floor and move, but not at that level, though,” Durant said after Monday’s practice. “You’ve seen guys like Jason Maxiell, I’m not saying they jump as high as Zion, but they were undersized guys that played bigger. And Zion’s one of those guys. Rodney Rogers — I’m missing so many guys that were that tall at 6-6, Charles Barkley bruiser-type guys but played bigger. But Zion’s athleticism trumps all of theirs by far. And when you add that to the mix, it makes him a one of one.”
Source: Nick Friedell @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
KD says Zion is a “one of one” type of talent and is looking forward to the ‘excitement’ that comes with having the young Pelicans forward back on the floor. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 2:30 PM
KD says Zion is a “one of one” type of talent and is looking forward to the ‘excitement’ that comes with having the young Pelicans forward back on the floor. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 2:30 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
‘Zion’s athleticism trumps all of theirs,’ KD says of guys like Barkley and Rodney Rogers of similar size. ‘He’s one of one’
Nets open Wednesday against the Pelicans pic.twitter.com/D5Vp883wEg – 12:24 PM
‘Zion’s athleticism trumps all of theirs,’ KD says of guys like Barkley and Rodney Rogers of similar size. ‘He’s one of one’
Nets open Wednesday against the Pelicans pic.twitter.com/D5Vp883wEg – 12:24 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Seth Curry getting pull-up work with KD and Kyrie.
Appears to be moving well and planting comfortably off his ankle. pic.twitter.com/s6Tu3DHxje – 12:06 PM
Seth Curry getting pull-up work with KD and Kyrie.
Appears to be moving well and planting comfortably off his ankle. pic.twitter.com/s6Tu3DHxje – 12:06 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Monday’s 5 things to know presented by @Take5_OilChange (Two days away from tipping off 2022-23; three games in Week 1 of #Pelicans schedule; Sunday practice report + video interviews; in Birmingham, Zion recreated memorable moment from high school): https://t.co/BrUnAVXw5s pic.twitter.com/Ocyt5Uq2Ff – 10:11 AM
Monday’s 5 things to know presented by @Take5_OilChange (Two days away from tipping off 2022-23; three games in Week 1 of #Pelicans schedule; Sunday practice report + video interviews; in Birmingham, Zion recreated memorable moment from high school): https://t.co/BrUnAVXw5s pic.twitter.com/Ocyt5Uq2Ff – 10:11 AM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Jaxson Hayes and CJ McCollum are all listed on DraftKings’ NBA Odds for Most Improved.
But there’s no Trey Murphy.
After watching him ball out in preseason, Trigga is about to turn plenty of heads. #BookIt https://t.co/6XPjswOfgr pic.twitter.com/KV6PuqP8nH – 9:03 AM
Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Jaxson Hayes and CJ McCollum are all listed on DraftKings’ NBA Odds for Most Improved.
But there’s no Trey Murphy.
After watching him ball out in preseason, Trigga is about to turn plenty of heads. #BookIt https://t.co/6XPjswOfgr pic.twitter.com/KV6PuqP8nH – 9:03 AM
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Zion Williamson getting up free throws after practice today. pic.twitter.com/jBUjSvJRQu – 2:47 PM
Zion Williamson getting up free throws after practice today. pic.twitter.com/jBUjSvJRQu – 2:47 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
Zion Williamson was limited in practice. Willie Green said he is hopeful Zion can go through a full practice tomorrow. – 2:42 PM
Zion Williamson was limited in practice. Willie Green said he is hopeful Zion can go through a full practice tomorrow. – 2:42 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Willie Green says Zion Williamson was limited at practice today. The hope is to get him a full practice tomorrow. – 2:39 PM
Willie Green says Zion Williamson was limited at practice today. The hope is to get him a full practice tomorrow. – 2:39 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
New average salary of the 2019 draft class:
$39M — Morant, Zion, Garland
$35M — Poole
$30M — Herro
$27M — Barrett pic.twitter.com/YcsqgzGRnG – 11:57 AM
New average salary of the 2019 draft class:
$39M — Morant, Zion, Garland
$35M — Poole
$30M — Herro
$27M — Barrett pic.twitter.com/YcsqgzGRnG – 11:57 AM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Including the Zion Williamson contract in New Orleans, Austin Brown of @CAA_Basketball has now negotiated over $300M+ in rookie extensions this offseason.
💰Zion Williamson: $193M
💰Jordan Poole: $140M – 11:55 AM
Including the Zion Williamson contract in New Orleans, Austin Brown of @CAA_Basketball has now negotiated over $300M+ in rookie extensions this offseason.
💰Zion Williamson: $193M
💰Jordan Poole: $140M – 11:55 AM
Scott Cacciola @ScottCacciola
“It’s only when someone mentions it,” he said, “and I’m like, Oh, yeah, I did break my foot.”
On Zion, injuries and expectations in New Orleans: nytimes.com/2022/10/14/spo… – 8:38 AM
“It’s only when someone mentions it,” he said, “and I’m like, Oh, yeah, I did break my foot.”
On Zion, injuries and expectations in New Orleans: nytimes.com/2022/10/14/spo… – 8:38 AM
Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Since I was poking around the all-time points leaderboard: if Kevin Durant scores as many points as last year (1,643 in 55 games played), he ends the 2022-23 season #12 all-time in scoring, a few hundred outside the top ten. stathead.com/tiny/q2L4Z – 11:10 PM
Since I was poking around the all-time points leaderboard: if Kevin Durant scores as many points as last year (1,643 in 55 games played), he ends the 2022-23 season #12 all-time in scoring, a few hundred outside the top ten. stathead.com/tiny/q2L4Z – 11:10 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Devonte Graham and Jaxson Hayes jumped out of their seats after this Dyson Daniels block! pic.twitter.com/FNXd3ckUIB – 10:25 PM
Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Devonte Graham and Jaxson Hayes jumped out of their seats after this Dyson Daniels block! pic.twitter.com/FNXd3ckUIB – 10:25 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
That’s it for KD and Kyrie — KD finishes with 20 points and six assists in 31 minutes. Kyrie finishes with 26 points and four assists in 30 minutes. They both look they are ready to roll. Nets finish with two solid performances in a row to close the preseason. – 10:21 PM
That’s it for KD and Kyrie — KD finishes with 20 points and six assists in 31 minutes. Kyrie finishes with 26 points and four assists in 30 minutes. They both look they are ready to roll. Nets finish with two solid performances in a row to close the preseason. – 10:21 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Before going to the end of his bench just now, Willie Green rolled with a 10-man rotation. And they all showed that they deserve regular season minutes — but it didn’t include Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes or Willy Hernangomez.
Pelicans are deep DEEP. – 10:10 PM
Before going to the end of his bench just now, Willie Green rolled with a 10-man rotation. And they all showed that they deserve regular season minutes — but it didn’t include Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes or Willy Hernangomez.
Pelicans are deep DEEP. – 10:10 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Beautiful midrange jumper by Herb Jones. Read the screen well, made a decisive move and pulled up from comfortable space. If this becomes a regular thing, that’ll be another way to penalize opponents for stacking defenses against Zion/BI. – 9:50 PM
Beautiful midrange jumper by Herb Jones. Read the screen well, made a decisive move and pulled up from comfortable space. If this becomes a regular thing, that’ll be another way to penalize opponents for stacking defenses against Zion/BI. – 9:50 PM
John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
Anthony Edwards blocked a Kevin Durant turnaround. pic.twitter.com/nLuZgO41Q3 – 9:39 PM
Anthony Edwards blocked a Kevin Durant turnaround. pic.twitter.com/nLuZgO41Q3 – 9:39 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Anthony Edwards blocks KD’s postup jumper. Not a lot of guys who can stay in front of Ja Morant like he did in the playoffs and do that to KD. – 9:37 PM
Anthony Edwards blocks KD’s postup jumper. Not a lot of guys who can stay in front of Ja Morant like he did in the playoffs and do that to KD. – 9:37 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Wow. KD just tried a turnaround jumper on Edwards and Edwards swatted it. Don’ts see that very often. – 9:36 PM
Wow. KD just tried a turnaround jumper on Edwards and Edwards swatted it. Don’ts see that very often. – 9:36 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
A lot of smiles on the floor right now for the Nets. They are rolling offensively. KD and Kyrie each have 17 points at halftime. The ball is moving the way Nash wants — and they’ve done it all with Simmons in foul trouble — and without Curry and Harris. – 9:12 PM
A lot of smiles on the floor right now for the Nets. They are rolling offensively. KD and Kyrie each have 17 points at halftime. The ball is moving the way Nash wants — and they’ve done it all with Simmons in foul trouble — and without Curry and Harris. – 9:12 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Biggest pop of the night: Gobert backs KD down and dunks.
Wolves 2-12 from 3 though. Still down double digits. – 9:07 PM
Biggest pop of the night: Gobert backs KD down and dunks.
Wolves 2-12 from 3 though. Still down double digits. – 9:07 PM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
rudy gobert just put kevin durant in the basket with a post-up. interesting. – 9:07 PM
rudy gobert just put kevin durant in the basket with a post-up. interesting. – 9:07 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
Been saying it for a while, but I really don’t think people give KD enough credit for his passing ability. – 8:59 PM
Been saying it for a while, but I really don’t think people give KD enough credit for his passing ability. – 8:59 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
The #Nets lineup for tonight’s preseason finale at Minnesota: Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton for the third straight game. – 7:34 PM
The #Nets lineup for tonight’s preseason finale at Minnesota: Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton for the third straight game. – 7:34 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
As expected: KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons will each be around the 30-minute mark tonight against the Timberwolves per @Nick Friedell #Nets – 7:08 PM
As expected: KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons will each be around the 30-minute mark tonight against the Timberwolves per @Nick Friedell #Nets – 7:08 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
On Friday’s @PodcastPelicans we tracked down our guy @Will Guillory of The Athletic as he began his journey to Birmingham on a “writer road trip.” Will discussed the excitement level for the 2022-23 Pels, as well as Herb Jones and Zion Williamson: https://t.co/mO2LgmY5iV pic.twitter.com/OO74wHXwrw – 3:37 PM
On Friday’s @PodcastPelicans we tracked down our guy @Will Guillory of The Athletic as he began his journey to Birmingham on a “writer road trip.” Will discussed the excitement level for the 2022-23 Pels, as well as Herb Jones and Zion Williamson: https://t.co/mO2LgmY5iV pic.twitter.com/OO74wHXwrw – 3:37 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live w/ @Christian Clark!
🏀 Zion Williamson is legitimately happy
🏀 Will we see the starting 5 tonight in Birmingham?
🏀 Dyson Daniels will be getting minutes this season
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzBFEv
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBES9YyFq pic.twitter.com/SlkVaekSTt – 3:30 PM
Locked On Pelicans is live w/ @Christian Clark!
🏀 Zion Williamson is legitimately happy
🏀 Will we see the starting 5 tonight in Birmingham?
🏀 Dyson Daniels will be getting minutes this season
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzBFEv
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBES9YyFq pic.twitter.com/SlkVaekSTt – 3:30 PM
More on this storyline
Erik Slater: KD said Nets are versatile on D, but they don’t want to get lazy switching. “We’ve got to utilize it, but not in a lazy way. Point switching, or switching just to switch, stuff like that. We want to be locked in and focused on staying with our guys, but also know we can switch.” -via Twitter @erikslater_ / October 17, 2022
Have you talked to [Durant and Irving] specifically about handling the criticism that comes your way? Ben Simmons: Me and Ky literally were just talking about it before practice. He’s like ‘Why is everybody on our heads?’ F—, we’re interesting people, I guess. Some guys you wouldn’t talk about because you just don’t care. -via ESPN / October 14, 2022
NBA stars can credit soaring playing salaries, as well as sponsorships, led by the sneaker companies that are typically rooted in the world’s biggest economy but also have a strong global reach. Endorsements represent 35% of the $969 million in expected earnings for the NBA’s top 15 this season. LeBron James scores the top spot with $119.5 million, including an estimated $75 million from sponsors, memorabilia, royalties and media. James’ lifetime agreement with Nike is his most lucrative deal and represents roughly 40% of his off-court earnings. Other major sponsors include AT&T;, Beats, GMC and PepsiCo. He added Crypto.com as a partner in early 2022 but otherwise has cut back on his sponsor commitments; his agreements with Blaze, Rimowa and Walmart expired this year. -via Sportico / October 13, 2022
“I guess there is some trickiness to it — which Zion do you get?” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “But I think you’d be foolish not to expect an exceptional player. He’s so talented and gifted. He causes problems for everybody, no matter, I think, what state his body and game is in. He’s still such a unique athlete and player. So we got to be prepared. We can’t expect anything less than his best or we’ll be surprised and we’ll be second, and when you’re reactive, you’re in trouble.” -via ESPN / October 17, 2022
Andrew Lopez: Zion Williamson was limited in practice today. Willie Green says the hope is Zion can go through a full practice tomorrow. -via Twitter @_Andrew_Lopez / October 16, 2022
“Hey, you’re the guy who guarded Zion, right?” Bryson Bishop has heard that a time or two since a video went viral of him in eighth grade guarding the high school version of New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson. Williamson, then a 6-foot-6 junior, looked down in amazement at Bishop, then a 5-foot-6 eighth grader, who was clapping it up as he took his assignment to guard Williamson. The two got together again on Friday night in Birmingham, Alabama as the Pelicans and Williamson were in town for a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. -via ESPN / October 15, 2022