For the first time in his young career, Zion Williamson will square off against his idol LeBron James as the Lakers see the Pelicans in the Staples Center at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Though that old “Reunited and it feels so good” song and dance is applicable since another duel of Ex- Pelicans and Ex-Lakers takes place tonight. Let’s be real: it’s not the biggest elephant in the room for this game. In what will probably be an extensive career filled with accolades aplenty for Zion Williamson, simply matching up with the world’s best player in LeBron James tonight is its own hallmark. But this is far from any sightseeing tour or meet-and-greet for the 19-year-old phenom.
In just 12 games for the Pelicans, Williamson has averaged 22.8 points per game on an unreal 58.6 shooting percentage from the field, and 7.2 rebounds per game. He’s dominating in a way that few rookies before him have, and the Pelicans are reaping the benefits. Alvin Gentry’s spacious offense has allowed the former Naismith Player of the Year to operate at an increased usage rate as he gets further accommodated to NBA pace while controlling the glass, getting out in the open court, and collapsing defenses at will. Seeing him try to do the same against LeBron tonight is going to be like watching a main-event heavyweight fight.
Yet, regardless of the Pelicans winning eight of their last 12, regardless of them now being in arm’s length of challenging for the eighth spot in the West, they’ve yet to pose a threat to LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ Lakers, who rank fourth in offensive rating and third in defensive rating behind Milwaukee and Toronto.
The Pelicans’ 23rd ranked offense, while they’ve excited NBA crowds in the last 12 games with Williamson setting foot on the floor, will likely be hard-pressed to keep up with the Lakers. And ex-communicated Pelican-turned-Laker Anthony Davis would love nothing more than to hand it to his old team, as he was traded last summer.
This could be a barn burner or blowout since there’s no middle room for any of those two outcomes not to happen. Either way, it’ll be exciting to watch two teams with players on each side that want to prove why they shouldn’t have been dealt in the trade earlier last year.
Again, tip-off for Tuesday’s second game on TNT is at 10:30 p.m. ET, shortly after the conclusion of the Bucks – Raptors contest.
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