NardDogNation wrote:It's a hard no on Zion for me. I was a proponent of his at one point but it's so obvious to see himself Ben Simmonss-ing his way out of the league because of his immaturity and injury history
Funny you bought up Ben..
That zion was not mentally ready to play at seasons end might lend itself to confidence levels.
Dating pool? Change of scenery? MOtivation because he not in NYC? RJ a good influence? Know each others gamre?
They played one season 4 years as teens. Zion missed like 1/3rd of season at duke.
He is simply too large a human being to play the game at the highest level.
I'd first want him to see a physiologist and see if this large man can sustain the demands his body needs to do.
Nobody that big has done it at that level and lasted.
I don't deny the talent or the potential. its seductive.
But........Thibs wants worker player in a culture of accountability. our guys all got better last year. All put in the work.
Ask yourself, would the Miami Heat go after him? Has Zion ever put in the work? Or has god graced him with this ability and motor and he made it on that?
It won't cut it. It's fun to talk about and Pels should move on if they are not confident he can grow up.
Love of the game and money is one thing. It's another to love to put in the work.
Way too many questions around this guy. He is personable, has a charisma. Im sure tells all everything they want to hear. Including his women.
WWMD.....what would Miami do?
I'd sooner take a gamble on Ben Simmons if he has putting in the work. At least he has accomplished something over time. Zion has barley scratched the surface.
Just to be clear, all of the questions being raised are also precisely why he is available
if he didn't have the injury issues he'd be completely untouchable. think of what was paid for Donovan and RUdy for example.
the sex stuff is as much an artifact of Twitter. Anyone ever hear about Wilt Chambelain? or Magic saying he slept with 5 women at once.
to me the issue is whether a change of context/coaching can get him playing consistently at his high level, or whether he's checked out (See Ben Simmons)
Chandler wrote:Just to be clear, all of the questions being raised are also precisely why he is availableif he didn't have the injury issues he'd be completely untouchable. think of what was paid for Donovan and RUdy for example.
the sex stuff is as much an artifact of Twitter. Anyone ever hear about Wilt Chambelain? or Magic saying he slept with 5 women at once.
to me the issue is whether a change of context/coaching can get him playing consistently at his high level, or whether he's checked out (See Ben Simmons)
The media is going to start pushing hard for us to trade Randle and other assets for Zion. Zion in NYC is tv ratings gold. Unfortunately it would be a disaster for us as a team
Philc1 wrote:Chandler wrote:Just to be clear, all of the questions being raised are also precisely why he is availableif he didn't have the injury issues he'd be completely untouchable. think of what was paid for Donovan and RUdy for example.
the sex stuff is as much an artifact of Twitter. Anyone ever hear about Wilt Chambelain? or Magic saying he slept with 5 women at once.
to me the issue is whether a change of context/coaching can get him playing consistently at his high level, or whether he's checked out (See Ben Simmons)
The media is going to start pushing hard for us to trade Randle and other assets for Zion. Zion in NYC is tv ratings gold. Unfortunately it would be a disaster for us as a team
At least Obi would get his chance to shine for 60-70% of the season.
Philc1 wrote:Chandler wrote:Just to be clear, all of the questions being raised are also precisely why he is availableif he didn't have the injury issues he'd be completely untouchable. think of what was paid for Donovan and RUdy for example.
the sex stuff is as much an artifact of Twitter. Anyone ever hear about Wilt Chambelain? or Magic saying he slept with 5 women at once.
to me the issue is whether a change of context/coaching can get him playing consistently at his high level, or whether he's checked out (See Ben Simmons)
The media is going to start pushing hard for us to trade Randle and other assets for Zion. Zion in NYC is tv ratings gold. Unfortunately it would be a disaster for us as a team
pretty sure this roster building has not been media driven
Ok I'll say it - I would offer Randle for Zion as it's a high risk opportunity to upgrade our talent in a way that wouldn't cost us our entire bench and draft capital. I understand Randle is proven, consistent and productive. I get that Zion has been immature, unprofessional and injured. Most agree Randle as the lead or 2nd star isn't the right role/fit for Randle. Hard to upgrade without including Randle in that upgrade since he is supposed to have the most value. We can't find commensurate value for him in a trade despite Randle supporters claiming how valuable he is... so we swing for the fences with a player that 3 years ago we would have paid 4 #1 picks + Randle, etc... His value is low but he will either sink or swim and the key could simply be a change of scenery and a coach/organization that will hold him accountable. So why he should probably go to SA or Miami I say we roll the dice. RJ was his college buddy and I can't think of a better place for him to rejuvenate his career (eg Sprewell style).
He could fail and we would be out Randle but I really don't think the risk offsets an opportunity to obtain a player of his level of talent. Those against wouldn't take Ja if the cost wasn't that much? Not a Ja fan but the talent is undeniable.
I actually think Zion has a better chance to rehabilitate himself.
Without calling me insane - tell me why the risk isn't worth at least considering...if the price is Randle and 2 future (protected) 1sts?
Maybe they would take Obi, Fournier and a few seconds?
This seems like yet another of many click bait stories where any team who has a player that has not worked out or is making too much money is rumored to be in trade talks for a top draft pick. Especially before draft day.
Don't see any of the teams positioned to pick top 10, in a win now mode. Or probable to give up top picks in strong draft. Especially to increase payroll on an often injured player.
If the cost is viewed to be low then the FO should atleast try. With the FO refusal to consider trading randle i dont know what line up the team will have with Zion and Randle on board. Maybe Thibs will finally embrace small/wide ball with a line up of Zion, Randle, Hart, Grimes and Jalen.
Can this team be contenders? We should condider what part of the season zion can play his season average 29+ games!
fishmike wrote:Philc1 wrote:Chandler wrote:Just to be clear, all of the questions being raised are also precisely why he is availableif he didn't have the injury issues he'd be completely untouchable. think of what was paid for Donovan and RUdy for example.
the sex stuff is as much an artifact of Twitter. Anyone ever hear about Wilt Chambelain? or Magic saying he slept with 5 women at once.
to me the issue is whether a change of context/coaching can get him playing consistently at his high level, or whether he's checked out (See Ben Simmons)
The media is going to start pushing hard for us to trade Randle and other assets for Zion. Zion in NYC is tv ratings gold. Unfortunately it would be a disaster for us as a team
pretty sure this roster building has not been media driven
And hopefully that doesn’t change
HofstraBBall wrote:Maybe they would take Obi, Fournier and a few seconds? This seems like yet another of many click bait stories where any team who has a player that has not worked out or is making too much money is rumored to be in trade talks for a top draft pick. Especially before draft day.
Don't see any of the teams positioned to pick top 10, in a win now mode. Or probable to give up top picks in strong draft. Especially to increase payroll on an often injured player.
Pelicans are going to want Obi, Mitch, IQ, Grimes and picks. The most games he has ever played in an nba season is 61. He has missed an entire season and played 29 games total this past season. The ankle and foot issues are not going to get better not at his weight.
Pels as currently constructed are win now mode.
they had all the ingredients for a nice run including some picks to trade as well.
But this shit is hard. They can pivot either way.
What they want, what they need depends on the directions they choose. McCollum extended and was hurt a bunch last year.
Zions contract tops out at 43mil in 5 years, or about mid twenties as Percent of cap. Not entirely awful. Given his age they could get a nice package in return but if they can get one great season from him that price goes up but your talking MVP type potential and what changed and is it sustainable?
There is an old saying: “you always take the weather with you where ever you go”. Thus a “change of scenery” might not be the answer. Maturity and commitment to change. From the outside looking in you have a “Man child” whose physical gifts might have made all this wealth and fame come easy. People grow and change. So do ball players. Lebron and Kobe were arrogant teens and grew to understand the responsibility that comes with their vast significance. Not doing stupid shit is easy. Being great is hard over a longer period. They both demonstrated great work ethic and a drive to succeed over a long period of time. Kobe’s return for his final season might have been ego driven vs the desire to win. The team was not very good. But to end his career the way he did was remarkable and had to be respected for the guts and work that went into it.
The commercial of Zion playing video games, drinking Mountain Dew and eating doritos might not have been fiction. Not a thin wrong with what he does but if you fat and injured, its not a good look.
No to Zion. Too many red flags. I would rather roll with our guys now. That now famous line that all talking heads now use rings true here. "Availability is the best ability"
NYKBocker wrote:No to Zion. Too many red flags. I would rather roll with our guys now. That now famous line that all talking heads now use rings true here. "Availability is the best ability"
+1000
He's a fun player to have on your 2k team. Don't confuse that for the real world.
NYC is not the place for a fat dude with a thirst for hoes.
SergioNYK wrote:NYC is not the place for a fat dude with a thirst for hoes.
It's got to be a helluva lot better than New Orleans tho?
"I am not uncertain about this trade..." is the only way this would make sense. Even then, I am having Michael Sweetney cold sweats.
“Let’s see…hoes and oyster po’ boys and collect my checks or study film and push myself through brutal workouts and become a great player? Hmmmm…..”
Randle for Zion is a no brainer. I’ll do it in a heartbeat. Instant upgrade. Can’t go wrong. Slam Dunk. Sure win.
