Although LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing together for the Los Angeles Lakers is likely the most intriguing on-court attraction in the opening stages of the upcoming season, the opening act for them on the first night of the NBA season is reminding a lot of people about the fall of 2003.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson entered the league as the sure-fire No. 1 pick and recently signed the biggest rookie shoe deal since LeBron. Zion’s Pelicans teammate JJ Redick was the latest to make the comparison between the two during an appearance on ESPN’s Lowe Post podcast.
Via our Cody Taylor from Rookie Wire.
“I think part of it is the circumstance and part of it I think is an intentional thing that [general manager David Griffin] and the coaching staff and the front office has done in taking the pressure off of Zion. There is no question to me that he is the most hyped prospect since LeBron [James]. You have David Griffin come out and say this is Jrue [Holiday’s] team. … You’re bringing in a really interesting mix of guys where it’s promising young players like Lonzo and Brandon and then older vets like Derrick [Favors] and I and obviously Jrue is the guy. It’s an exciting team.”
As mentioned above, Williamson and the Pelicans will serve as an opener to the Lakers-Clippers game on opening night, Oct. 22, as New Orleans will visit the Toronto Raptors as the Raptors receive their 2019 championship rings. But while NBA fans will get to enjoy Zion and LeBron on opening night, we won’t get to see them face off until later in the season. LeBron will join Anthony Davis in his return to New Orleans on Nov. 27 and Zion won’t make his stage lighting debut at Staples Center until Jan. 3.
