Zion Williamson, Duke freshman basketball star and potential one-and-done NBA draft pick, has been getting a lot of attention for his latest dunk video on social media. Zion was called out by Stephen A Smith who criticized the player’s “gimmick” in an appearance on First Take. Ironically enough, he ended up trying to do exactly what Zion did which is take off from just inside the three point line with no help defense and slam it home
Zion Williamson has become a legend in the NBA for his outstanding dunks. On his birthday, he was called out by Stephen A. Smith for a dunk video that he made. Read more in detail here: zion williamson birthday.
We haven’t seen Zion Williamson on the basketball court in what seems like a decade, yet the high-flying sensation was an All-Star only last season.
Williamson has been sidelined for the whole 2021-22 season due to a foot ailment, but he has showed signs of recovery in recent weeks with a series of rim-rattling dunks during practices.
In fact, before the New Orleans Pelicans’ NBA Play-In Tournament game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, Williamson slammed down a 360 windmill dunk, which irritated ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. Although it was stunning, Smith was disturbed by the sight of it.
Zion Williamson was singled out by Stephen A. Smith for his 360 dunk.
| Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images; Mitchell Leff/Getty Images | Zion Williamson and Stephen A. Smith (L-R)
Zion Williamson put down a 360 windmill dunk before the Pelicans’ NBA play-in game on April 13 after releasing a video of a between-the-legs slam on his Instagram just a few weeks prior. Because so many journalists were there, the video of his dunk instantly went viral.
Stephen A. Smith objected to it.
On the April 13 edition of NBA Countdown, Smith remarked, “I’m horrified, it makes me want to puke up.” “What good does it do us as basketball enthusiasts, as NBA supporters, as NBA fans?” How does it benefit the NBA product when I watch you out there doing dunks but haven’t seen you play a single game all year? What does this mean for the NBA’s brand? … It makes me feel nauseous.”
Smith isn’t the only one who thinks it’s a bad idea. When he uploaded his most recent video, Richard Jefferson called Zion out. If he isn’t participating in games, why is he flaunting his good health?
But, given how young and energetic he is, what are his prospects of making the playoffs?
Is Zion Williamson going to participate in the NBA playoffs?
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On April 13, the Pelicans defeated the Spurs in a play-in game, led by Zion’s new teammate CJ McCollum. With the win, they have a chance to clinch the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed if they win another play-in game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Is there a possibility Zion will participate in that competition? If the Pelicans win the Lakers, how about a playoff series versus the No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns?
It’s really improbable.
As noted by Fletcher Mackel of WDSU in New Orleans, ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth reported that Williamson is playing in “controlled five-on-five workouts,” but “a return to play is not imminent, and there’s no chance” he plays against the Clippers or Suns.
But why is that? Shouldn’t he be able to assist his team in a playoff game if he’s healthy enough to chuck down unbelievable dunks?
Although the answer to that issue is unknown, it seems like we will have to wait until next season to witness Zion Williamson play again.
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