The Zion Problem (13 Viewers)

[The Nomad]

This is why we want Z here. When he's healthy, he's unguardable.

 

[Infoman]

He’s a great inside player…. Until he can make free throws or any shot that’s not at the rim…. Which he’s had plenty of time to figure out…. He’s an oft injured old school player that needs to be traded while he’s still good at what he can do. Sorry, it’s the truth.

If he could play 60 games a season…. Shoot 80% at the line…. Take about 5 threes a game and make about 35% of them…. We would debate this…. That’s never happening.

 

[Dago]

He’s a great inside player…. Until he can make free throws or any shot that’s not at the rim…. Which he’s had plenty of time to figure out…. He’s an oft injured old school player that needs to be traded while he’s still good at what he can do. Sorry, it’s the truth.

If he could play 60 games a season…. Shoot 80% at the line…. Take about 5 threes a game and make about 35% of them…. We would debate this…. That’s never happening.

Other than the health issue, I disagree. He draws so much attention that it makes the other players much better and his defense has been noticeably better last season and this one now that he is playing lighter

If you can't build around what Zion does then You blow as a coach (again assuming health)

 

[Infoman]

Other than the health issue, I disagree. He draws so much attention that it makes the other players much better and his defense has been noticeably better last season and this one now that he is playing lighter

If you can't build around what Zion does then You blow as a coach (again assuming health)

In the modern NBA you can’t have your best player never shoot 3s or not make his FTs if he refuses to take them…. Sorry. Just can’t.

 

[DSnfla]

He’s a great inside player…. Until he can make free throws or any shot that’s not at the rim…. Which he’s had plenty of time to figure out…. He’s an oft injured old school player that needs to be traded while he’s still good at what he can do. Sorry, it’s the truth.

If he could play 60 games a season…. Shoot 80% at the line…. Take about 5 threes a game and make about 35% of them…. We would debate this…. That’s never happening.

I disagree , Z is the ultimate gravity player, he opens up the 3 for everyone else, and the whole court. All you have to do is surround him with 3pt shooters that shoot 40% Yeah his FT% could be a bit better, the real problem is a NBA issue same as it was with Shaq, Z gets fouled and they don't call it because he too strong.

 

[Nolan]

If he is healthy, he's a dominant force and you can absolutely build around him. It looks like it's finally clicked for him, he looks to be in the best shape of his career by a large margin.

From a team management perspective, we need to keep managing his minutes for the remainder of the year not just for his own health, but to keep losing and increase our lottery percentage. On his side, he needs to keep doing whatever he's doing in the offseason and show up to camp next year in the same shape that he's in now.

 

[Nolan]

Fact of the matter is…. Nearly every game is decided at the 3 point line and our best player doesn’t take any…. It’s a non starter. You just can’t keep up.

We've debated this before, but this just isn't accurate. Z is 1 of 1 in terms of rim efficiency, and has excellent court vision. Your best player doesn't need to to be a 3 point threat (see Giannis) - when you're that dominant of a force inside and have guard-like vision and passing skills, it's the teams job to surround that player with shooters.

 

[Infoman]

Name one contending team in the last 5-8 seasons who's best player (the player that they are built around) takes less than 1 three pointer a game and shoots less than 70% from the FT line... I'll wait.

And Giannis takes 2.2 threes a game - and shoots right at 70% from the line... he's the only player you can look at in comparison... and he's better in every way, and at least attempts any kind of real shots.

Zion is a one trick player (it's a good trick)... But you can't build a modern contending team around a player with zero flexibility or variation in his game - and no shot to speak of.

Yeah, surround him with shooters is a no brainer... Problem is... One of those shooters has to be the guy you build around in today's NBA... and Zion has to be the second fiddle to him... If you want to contend.