Grizzlies’ Williams on facing Lebron James
On one side of the court Sunday, Ziaire Williams was excited for a moment he’d been waiting for since he got drafted. On the other end, Lebron James couldn’t believe what he saw.
Two years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies rookie played at Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles with Bronny James, Lebron’s eldest son. Now Williams faced the man he called “Uncle Lebron“for the first time in the NBA.
He was thrilled with the opportunity but learned quickly James is all business. In the first quarter, Williams tried to slide over to stop him from driving to the rim but he was a step slow as James scored.
“It was fun to see a different side of him,” Williams said after the Grizzlies lost 121-118 to the Lakers. “He’s always fun and joking around with us at Sierra Canyon watching games so it was cool to see him in his element when things are serious.”
For James, 36, it was another moment feeling his age. In 2003-04, he was 19 as the NBA’S youngest Rookie of the Year at the time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now, in his 19th season, he had played long enough to face one of his son’s teammates.
“I looked at Ziaire a couple of times and I was just shaking my head inside,” James said “Just remembering a year and a half, not even a full two years (ago), he was hitting a game-winner to send (Sierra Canyon) to the state championship alongside my son.
“It was a weird dynamic for myself to see something like that. Happy for the kid obviously but I had a moment for sure.”
Williams and Bronny James were
teammates for one season in high school and Lebron James was a frequent visitor to games or working out with Sierra Canyon.
In addition, Williams played two games at Staples Center in front of family, friends and even elementary school teachers. He was just as excited about making two 3-pointers against the Clippers on Saturday because he grew up a fan of the team.
“I definitely had my moment of a reality check. Just living in the moment and blessed to be in this position,” Williams said.
He might not be getting the attention of fellow rookies like Cavaliers center Evan Mobley or Rockets guard Jalen Green, but Williams is on a different plan with the Grizzlies developing him slowly. Through three games, he’s averaged 17.0 minutes and hasn’t been needed as a primary scorer on a veteran team.
But Williams is fine just learning the ropes and asking questions. He’s also got a supporter in James, who was glad to see him in the NBA even if felt sooner than expected.
“To see him in the NBA now, I knew he was a pro his senior year at Sierra. I didn’t know how long it would take him to get here but I know he was a pro right away. It’s definitely a good moment,” James said.