In his first summer league game, Zion Williamson shows off his brute strength by manhandling New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox.
Woo buddy, Zion Williamson didn’t waste any time in his summer league debut. The ballyhooed first overall pick is as strong as an ox and Kevin Knox understands that now. Zion took the New York Knicks forward by surprise and the rest was history.
Kevin Knox, meet Zion Williamson. #NewYorkForever (@espn) pic.twitter.com/WPysaobvRc
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) July 6, 2019
Williamson got off to a great start, scoring 10 points in the first frame. There was some serious hype coming into Zion’s first-ever professional game. Every time he touches the ball, the crowd seems to hold its collective breath.
At one point in the first quarter, the refs called a foul while Zion was on a fast break and the whistle halted play. The crowd began booing the ref.
This kid is going to be special.
Zion Williamson drops 10 PTS in the 1st Q of @nyknicks/@PelicansNBA! #NBASummer
?: ESPN pic.twitter.com/SuvVh9tB1P
— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2019
Zion is the big ticket in Las Vegas right now, but the Knicks have a much-hyped rookie of their own—RJ Barrett. Williamson and Barrett were teammates at Duke a few months ago.
The Knicks are bringing a huge chunk of their core to Las Vegas. In addition to Knox and Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier are playing for the summer Knicks. All four of those guys should be major contributors next season.
Robinson is already back to his old ways, blocking three-pointers and throwing down ridiculous alley-oops. A lot of people tuned into this Knicks-Pelicans game to see Zion throw down dunks, but Robinson can hold his own against anyone. Perhaps we’ll see these two square off at the dunk contest in February.