The Inside the NBA crew sounded so disappointed in Zion Williamson and it’s hard to blame them

It feels like Zion should be so much better than this.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Goooood morning, Winners! Happy Friday! I hope you’re having a fantastic day today.

To start us off, I have a question for you. What in the world happened to Zion Williamson?

Everyone is talking about how incredible LeBron James looked last night and, well, rightfully so. The dude is the first person in NBA history to put up at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes. And he’s 39 years old. That’s a man on a mission right there.

Honestly, at the respective point in their careers, you’d think that those would be numbers we’d be talking about after a Zion Williamson performance. He’s only 23 years old, after all.

Instead, he’s only scoring 13 points and grabbing two rebounds in 44-point losses to 39-year-old LeBron James. That game was such a disappointment to watch from him.

I wasn’t the only one who seemed disappointed. The Inside the NBA crew also ripped him after the game. Charles Barkley said, “He’s got two guys on his team that are better players than him and they shouldn’t be … he should be the best player and he’s not even close.”

Shaq really tore into Williamson, though it was out of a place of tough love.

“I want to make some points about Zion. Does not run hard. It’s not a diss — it’s going to be a lesson from one great big man to another guy that could be a great big man. I had the same problem my first, second year…He doesn’t create easy points for himself…He doesn’t demand the ball…and he doesn’t have that look. In every sport I know a look. Tiger Woods had that look. Jack Nicholson had that look. He doesn’t have that look.”

That’s nothing but disappointment, folks. It’s hard to blame the crew there. Williamson has the potential to be a great player. We’ve all seen it. The Pelicans were No. 1 in the Western Conference behind Williamson’s play.

Remember what he was like when he came out of Duke? It was easy to think he was going to change the league with the way he played. He rebounded like crazy. He finished at the rim whenever he wanted to. He defended and played hard. We haven’t seen that Zion in the NBA yet.

There are certainly fundamental flaws in the Pelican’s roster and rotation that are in the way here. But the TNT guys are right. Sometimes, it just comes down to playing hard. And Williamson isn’t.

He’s going to have to take those criticisms on the chin. Hopefully, they’ll make him better.

It’s Shohei Time?

Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Folks, it may soon be time. After all of our waiting in silence (much to so many people’s chagrin!), it seems Shohei Ohtani may be ready to make a decision on his future.

An Ohtani decision is “imminent” and could be coming as soon as today, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Ohtani watch has officially started.

This is exciting, man. It’s a once-in-a-generation player making a huge decision that’s going to have ripple effects throughout Major League Baseball. This decision could shift things drastically.

I can’t wait.

A quick backdrop: To catch you up, here are some quick primers for Ohtani’s free agency.

— Ranking Shohei Ohtani’s five free agent options

— The rumor mill keeps spinning for Ohtani after MLB Winter Meetings

— Dave Roberts spilled the tea and that may have been a huge mistake

Zapped!

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Bailey Zappe absolutely balled out against the Steelers, leading the Patriots to their third win of the season … in Week 14.

Zappe was reportedly confident he’d get the Patriots’ starting quarterback job at some point. He’s not good, to be sure. But nights like Thursday night show you exactly where that confidence comes from.

He played excellent football, throwing for three touchdowns and 240 yards. He mixed some lasers in there like this one, too.

It was honestly extremely impressive. Maybe a little too impressive? The Patriots are tied for 2nd in the NFL draft order for now. But a few more games like this and New England might play itself out of a shot at a new quarterback.

Tread carefully, Bill Belichick.

Photo of the day: A star is born

Tyrese Haliburton has absolutely been the best player of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament so far. After dispatching the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in back-to-back games, I don’t think that’s up for debate.

He had his moment against the Bucks, putting up 27 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds. All eyes were on Hali in the end. This was his moment.

. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

What was even better than that, though, was the Lillard time — er, uh, excuse me — Ty time celebration he did in the fourth quarter.

Y’all know what time it is. And if you didn’t, Haliburton just let you know. The league is his.

Quick hits: Trouble in paradise? … The Bears QB woes … and more

— Bobby Portis reportedly “passionately challenged” his new head coach after the Bucks’ loss to the Pacers. That means he just yelled at him. Bryan Kalbrosky has more.

— Al Michaels read the Chicago Bears for filth on national TV. Sheesh. Cory Woodruff has more.

— Folks have been ripping Bill Belichick all year long, but Jabrill Peppers isn’t having it. Charles Curtis has more.

— Here’s a look at the final bracket for the NBA’s In-Season Tournament. Of course, the Lakers made it to the end. Here’s Kalrbosky again.

— Tyrese Haliburton’s parents are so adorable, man. Here’s Robert Zeglinski with more.

— Here’s Charles Curtis with the ESPN College GameDay schedule this weekend.

That’s all, folks! Have a fantastic weekend. Let’s do this all again next week. Until then, peace! We out.

-Sykes ✌️