Zion’s absence a bummer for Raps’ fans
Pelicans take caut ious rout e in sitt ing rookie sensation for opener in toronto
Zion Williamson will not make his NBA debut on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors. The New Orleans Pelicans intend to be cautious with his minor knee issue, according to reports.
Raptors fans won’t care too much — they’ll be so overwhelmed by the ring ceremony and banner raising celebrating last year’s improbable championship, but NBA supporters have to be bummed out at least a little bit by the news.
After all, there hasn’t been a rookie entering the league amid this much hype probably since Lebron James long ago. It would have been fun to see the high-flyer play his first professional game not too far from where he first suited up for Duke just over a year ago alongside R. J. Barrett for exhibitions against Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.
Williamson will be sidelined for “a period of weeks,” according to ESPN, after averaging 23.3 points per game on 71.4-per-cent shooting in the preseason.
The Raptors visit New Orleans next month, so there’s a good chance they don’t face Williamson at all this season.
KING JAMES DETHRONED
If you missed it earlier this week, four- time NBA MVP Lebron James was not selected by league general managers as the NBA’S top small forward for the first time since 2005. That honour went to some guy named Kawhi Leonard, who was also chosen as best defender, best perimeter defender and most impactful offseason acquisition.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was tabbed to repeat as MVP and the Bucks were the choice to win the East, while Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers enter the year as the title favourites, collecting 46 per cent of the votes, compared to 36 per cent for the Bucks.
This is the 18th annual survey, conducted by NBA. com’s John Schuhmann.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry was No. 2 in MVP prognosticating, Lakers newcomer Anthony Davis third. Giannis was the player 86 per cent of executives would start a franchise with and was the choice for a number of other questions.
Williamson was the rookie of the year and best rookie in five years choice ( earning 68 per cent of the vote for both categories) and was picked as the league’s most athletic by 41 per cent.
Canadian Nickeil Alexander- Walker was picked as the biggest draft steal (32 per cent) and countryman Jamal Murray tied for fourth among players expected to have breakout seasons ( Toronto’s Pascal Siakam was an honourable mention). Murray paced that category last year so clearly he is well- regarded.
Toronto’s OG Anunoby got votes as the league’s best perimeter defender and head coach Nick Nurse got recognition for his in- game adjustments, offence and defence, Fred Vanvleet for his abilities off of the bench and Kyle Lowry for his toughness.
CANUCK TURNING HEADS
It’s no wonder GMS are high on Alexander- Walker, who starred at Vaughan Secondary in Vaughan, Ont., before heading to St. Louis and then Tennessee for the rest of his high school years, and then on to Virginia Tech. Alexander-walker has gotten better every year and helped lead Canada to a silver medal in the 2016 FIBA Americas Under- 18 Championship, leading that tournament in scoring.
He was one of the best players at Las Vegas Summer League in July, and is expected to push incumbents Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, J. J. Redick and Josh Hart for playing time at guard on the deep Pelicans roster after again exceeding expectations in the preseason. In four games this month, Alexander-walker has averaged 15 points and 4.8 assists per game in only 18.4 minutes.
Meanw h i l e , cousin Shai Gilgeous- Alexander, a centrepiece of the Paul George trade, averaged 18.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder and will be a featured player there.
HE’S NOT THEIR BUDDY
Buddy Hield and the Sacramento Kings appear to be far apart on contract extension talks. Hield, one of the league’s best shooters, said a four-year, Us$90-million offer was insulting.
“It’s not always about ‘ Less than the max.’ It’s just, like, something that is reasonable, whereas it’s not an insult,” he said.
“Whereas we respect each other enough to come to an agreement,” Hield told reporters.
He also brought up Sacramento’s lack of success in wooing free agents over the years and most interestingly said: “If they don’t want to do it, (I’ll) just look for somewhere else to go.”
“Maybe in the offseason, maybe in season, I don’t know. They have to plan. I don’t know what their plans are for me.”
Hield will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Kings could match any offer next year if it comes to that.
AROUND THE RIM
This year the NBA got far more stringent on official height measurements. It turns out Klay Thompson is actually two inches shorter than his 6- foot-7 listing, LeBron James is half an inch taller than 6-foot-8, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard aren’t actually 6- foot-11 and on the Raptors front, Chris Boucher is an inch taller than previously listed, but Lowry, OG Anunoby, Stanley Johnson and Pascal Siakam are an inch shorter, while Patrick Mccaw is in the same situation as Thompson … Pacers all- star Victor Oladipo is ahead of schedule, according to USA Today. Oladipo tore his right quadriceps in a game against the Raptors on Jan. 23 and there were some fears he’d miss much of the season, but he is close to returning to 5-on-5 drills.