“Just Like a Barkley, or Shaq”: LeBron James Heaps Massive Praise on Zion Williamson After OT Win, Hits Out at His Critics
After a 0-5 start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-117 on Wednesday night thanks to a game-tying 3-pointer from Matt Ryan and a clutch 3-pointer from Lonnie Walker in overtime. For the Lakers, LeBron James scored 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Pelicans, who fell to 4-3, were led by Zion Williamson’s 27 points and McCollum’s 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
After his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-117 in overtime, LeBron James had some high comments for Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
LeBron James Heaps massive praise on Zion Williamson
“I understand exactly some of the things that he’s going through. Being a No. 1 pick and everybody is saying ‘You should be this, you should be that, the face of the franchise. You gotta do this, you gotta do that.’ Then when you’re not playing, they’re like, ‘OK well is he gonna be this or is he gonna be that?’ The kid has done nothing but keep his head down, and keep pushing,” James said.
"Zion is on the verge of being great, and he's going to be great in this league for a long time…"
LeBron James on Zion Williamson after their battle in the Lakers' OT win! pic.twitter.com/jcXEL8AAmB
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2022
“Something we’ve never seen, a talent of his size, his speed, his athleticism,” James said. “Just like a Giannis. Just like a Barkley, or Shaq. Just certain talents that come into our league that you’ve just never seen before.”
James is setting a very high standard, but Williamson’s force was felt by James during the game when the big man sprinted to the basket. Williamson has faced James four times in his career, and each of those encounters has generated controversy.
Following a game in 2020, LeBron James gave Williamson an embrace and spoke with him briefly before responding to those who had said that he shouldn’t be so friendly with a possible competitor. Williamson gave New Orleans a three-point lead in the last minute of regulation with 14 points in the fourth quarter. When Larry Nance Jr. dunked with 7.8 seconds left and Walker missed a matching 3-point effort, New Orleans thought to have it won.
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