Gilbert Arenas gave an interesting take regarding Zion Williamson.
Gil was discussing Zion on The No Chill Podcast Friday, where he gave his assessment on the Pelicans new star. According to Gil, Zion would benefit with his height and size by playing not as a center, not as a forward, but as a shooting guard. Gil believes Zion would definitely have an advantage coming downhill, saying that Zion would be god-like.
For comparative purposes, Gil compared Zion’s inability to shoot to Dwyane Wade, when Wade first came into the NBA on the Heat, and how Wade eventually learned how to shoot. Gil recalled a time where Wade dropped 40 in a game without shooting a jumper, and that no one could stop Wade from getting the basket.
In order to play shooting guard and have longevity in the league, Gil suggested that Zion drop some weight. Using the recent photo that went around with Zion on the bench in Summer League looking a bit pudgy, Gil believes that eventually Zion will hurt himself if he maintains at that weight.
Gil states that Zion’s body, currently constructed, will not be able to hold up to the rigorous 82-game schedule of the NBA, that no one has seen someone like Zion at that weight be able to jump up and come down all season without injury.
I’m not 100% sure that Zion would benefit from playing as a guard, but the weight loss will help him in the long term and keep his body from nagging injuries down the road. It will be interesting how the Pelicans use him during the season and if Zion is put on any restrictions to preserve his body.
Flip the page for Gilbert’s breakdown on Zion.