Zion Suspended

[jeffrey236]

Zion late for flight, suspended 1 game by Pels

The Pelicans have suspended Zion Williamson for one game for a violation of team policies, with sources telling ESPN's Shams Charania that Williamson was late to a team flight to Philadelphia on Thursday.

www.espn.com

Not a good sign at all. Something tells me he’s not long for the Pelicans. A trade before the deadline seems very possible, as they start a total rebuild. That may be best for both parties.

 

[christophero]

Not gonna be a popular take but I'm over him.
Talented but seems like a complete knucklehead.

 

[kingbluedevil]

Not gonna be a popular take but I'm over him.
Talented but seems like a complete knucklehead.

Agree and a shame that he will not listen to advise about getting in shape

 

[The_Only_Blue]

It's a shame. So much talent and coulda been one of the new faces of the NBA. Smh

 

[sheyduke]

He wanted out of the Pelicans . His agent and Family talked him into taking the max contract . If I was him I’d look forward to a trade . He’s been mentioned in plenty while on injury the last two years . It’s not his weight or being in shape . He doesn’t trust their training staff nor does Brandon Ingram . Both want out . Name me one thing the Pelicans have done since the expansion draft ? When they were the Hornets? They’ve had Chris Paul and Anthony Davis and never built around them . He was in his best shape coming into this NBA season and still got hurt . Ingram the same . Sounds like to me he’s forcing his way out .

 

[sheyduke]

It's a shame. So much talent and coulda been one of the new faces of the NBA. Smh

Seriously with the Pelicans ?

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Why not? He was the biggest thing in basketball (NBA or college) when he was in college.The team just can't stay healthy. Whether that's on the staff or the players I don't know. What I do know is that Zion hasn't done anything to help himself out. It's not hard. So what, you're not happy...You're getting paid a ton of money to play a game.

The reason I saw he got suspended was because he was late for the team plane. Like I said, it's not hard.

 

[kingbluedevil]

He is only getting paid 36 million this year by the Pelicans. How many games has he played? He did apologize to the organization for being late for the plane trip

 

[The_Only_Blue]

He is only getting paid 36 million this year by the Pelicans. How many games has he played? He did apologize to the organization for being late for the plane trip

7 games this year. 191 for his career.

My assumption is that he's been late plenty of times and this was the last straw before a suspension. Highly doubt they would have suspended him on the first offense.

 

[kingbluedevil]

I'm not sure Zion was listening to Coach K story about making sure you get on the right bus. Only let good people on your bus. Trade him to the Lakers maybe JJ can get him on the right track. The Pelicans can release him after this season.

 

[christophero]

If he doesn't care why should I? It's one thing after another with this guy.

 

[pisgah101]

It’s not his weight lol. I personally think his family hasn’t been the best in decision making and seems a little controlling

 

[Mac9192]

I don’t follow Duke’s players when they leave. What I do know is the almighty dollar is making immature 18-19 year olds very rich, but not smarter.
Multiple years learning under good leadership is a better formula for most of these kids than the shit show we have in the nba right now.

 

[jeffrey236]

He is only getting paid 36 million this year by the Pelicans. How many games has he played? He did apologize to the organization for being late for the plane trip

If he wants another team to trade for him, it’s in his best interests to be contrite. I’m sure his agent would have pushed him to do that. Same for the organization - take the high road but grit your teeth in private.

 

[sheyduke]

If he wants another team to trade for him, it’s in his best interests to be contrite. I’m sure his agent would have pushed him to do that. Same for the organization - take the high road but grit your teeth in private.

He just switched agents. Almost like the report two days ago where the pelicans were going to have to pay him for reaching his weight and conditioning incentives. The young man didn’t want to be the face of he NBA . Annalise and fans put that label on him. When he is on the court he can’t be contained . Golden State, Toronto, and six other teams have been in contact with the pelicans for Zion. One GM already said ,” if the Pelicans make it public that they are trading him, yes I will do something drastic to get him. Every team would . Low risk high reward .

 

[christophero]

He is a head case who makes a huge amount of money and has been injured half his pro career. There is significant risk in signing him. I hope he pulls it together, but I have been reading these "I hope he straightens his life out" posts for years now.

 

[kingbluedevil]

Whoever he signs with have several clauses in place to cover in case he stays on current path. Switching agents everyone's fault but his. He's an adult can't blame it on family

 

[sheyduke]

Yet there isn’t one team on the league that wouldn’t give him four years 100 million plus . It’s funny they mention the suspension but not the 100,000 he gave to the family’s affected by the bourbon street incident . Or when he covered the refreshments stand workers salary during Covid . The only thing I’ve read is about his weight . Ingram has missed just about the same time since being traded to the Pelicans . Heck CJ McCollum hasn’t been healthy either. I mean a head case would be Ja Morant level .

 

[lahusker01]

I’m in Nola…season tickets for years. He’s amazing when he plays and I take up for him as a Duke kid. For my daughter’s birthday I got her a framed autographed Ingram jersey. We LOVE our Pels! But…we are cursed. Some New Orleans Voodoo is always happening. Our whole team is always hurt. We got Murray and it was a needed position and a guy that’s never hurt. He broke his hand opening night.
But something isn’t right w/ Z. I make excuses for him since I’ve followed him since college, but it’s getting harder to do that. Gets hurt constantly…got up to roughly 300 pounds (not muscle)…missed meetings, and now with the team when hurt. Throw in the baby drama and it’s a circus.

 

[sheyduke]

Has anyone here read or watched his interview when he left Duke? Go back and read or watch it . This was a legitimate kid who did NOT want to leave college . He says so repeatedly. Almost like he’s saying he ain’t ready to take on all the publicity. You can do it in college alot easier then as a pro athlete. His headache started the minute he declared. From the civil suit to his step father publicly announcing it was never a thought if him returning to college . The kid wanted to be a kid . Now he has to be a grown man and have everyone in his ear and pockets . He was in his best shape coming into this season . He should have left New Orleans because he don’t have any stability there. They had what three coaches in his time there.

 

[DukeDallas9192011015]

Zion is one of my favorite Duke players ever. He went to the worst ran organization in the NBA. They have no fan support, but even worse: they have a cheap medical staff. The amount of injuries the Pelicans have had over the past 12 years (going back to Anthony Davis) is double any other team in the NBA. Seriously, I don't have the link but saw it posted on Twitter not too long ago. The problem is the Owner also owns the NO Saints, so the Pelicans don't mean anything to him.

Now, Zion could have been more dedicated to his weight, he could have done a better job avoiding people out there for his pockets, and it seems like he is listening to the wrong people. But regardless, he needs to go to an organization that knows what they are doing. An organization with an elite medical staff (Miami, Boston, San Antonio are some examples).

But I'm sorry, I don't think Duke fans should ever say a negative thing about Zion after the year he gave us. Just my opinion.
Remember, A LOT of people thought he should never have played at Duke again after the blown out shoe incident, but he did.

 

[christophero]

I will always treasure that magical elite eight run.

 

[DukeDallas9192011015]

I will always treasure that magical elite eight run.

Yes and without Zion coming back after the shoe blow-out (when he had the #1 pick locked up and many idiots on TV were saying he should sit out) it would have been a magical Round of 32 run.