LeBron James says Zion Williamson is playing ‘exceptional basketball’

Last night was the first of what could be several meetings this season between LeBron James and New Orleans Pelicans No. 1 pick Zion Williamson. Although the Pelicans lost, the playoff projections from FiveThrityEight.com still have New Orleans with a 66% chance of making it to the postseason, meaning there’s a strong likelihood we get to see James and Zion go at it for a couple of games in April. But with last night being the first meeting, LeBron finally had the forum to discuss what he’s seen on the court from the youngster out of Duke.

James said that he thinks Zion has played “exceptional basketball” over his first 12 games as a professional, according to Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group.

LeBron on Zion thriving in a 7-seconds-or-less-style: “He’s playing exceptional basketball. … I think today’s game is a perfect fit for his game. The high pace, the way they play fits his game. The speed, running up and down and playing at that speed, they move the ball.” pic.twitter.com/YEd6soLhWM

— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) February 26, 2020

What may be surprising for some is that Zion and James don’t have much of a relationship. James said that he’s never met Williamson before, according to Ben Golliver of the Washington Post.

Lakers’ LeBron James on Pelicans’ Zion Williamson: “I’ve never met him. I’ve never met him before. Never. Never had a conversation with him. Never met him before.” pic.twitter.com/ptfNYrcPV5

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 26, 2020

LeBron and the Lakers will face the Pelicans soon enough. The Lakers close out a 3-game road trip in New Orleans on Sunday.