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When Zion Williamson was growing up, his mother told him to watch three Hall of Fame players: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. As he said, watching Johnson and Bird was one thing but seeing Jordan play was another.
The New Orleans Pelicans rookie was completely captivated by watching Jordan. His fondness of M.J. ultimately led Williamson to sign an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, bypassing more lucrative offers in the process, though he still inked the richest annual shoe contract by a rookie in NBA history.
Williamson discussed his appreciation of Jordan, among other subjects, during an interview Monday night on Twitter with Ernie Johnson of Turner Sports.
“When I started watching Mike, it was just, even though I wasn’t alive when he was doing those things, it just captured me,” Williamson said. “Everything he did was just incredible. His highlights are like, ‘Man, somebody was doing all that?’ And the way he flew through the air, dunked on pretty much anybody, his midrange shot, his playmaking, his defensive ability — everything he brought to the table.
“The one thing he said that really stands out to me is, he plays like somebody is watching him for the first time and he doesn’t want to disappoint. You never get a second chance to make a first impression so for him to have that mindset and to actually play with that mindset throughout his career, it says a lot about him.”
“Everything he did was incredible.” @Zionwilliamson talks about watching MJ highlights for the first time with @TurnerSportsEJ. #NBATogether pic.twitter.com/NLH09ZZyM6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 28, 2020
The younger generation of players are beginning to really see firsthand the impact Jordan had on the game of basketball since the debut of “The Last Dance” documentary on ESPN. Players and fans alike are hearing what Jordan was like and how he prepared for the game.
Williamson also said in the interview that he has stayed in shape since the regular season was suspended on March 11. He has a basketball hoop at his house in New Orleans and said he is physically ready to play if the season were to resume today.
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