The Nets and the Pelicans are set to open their 2022-2023 campaigns by facing off in Brooklyn. It will be the first game for Zion Williamson since May 5, 2021.
The 22-year-old power forward missed the entire last season due to an injury. Williamson took his time to fully recover and is reportedly in his best shape after taking care of his weight.
His opponent on Tuesday – Kevin Durant – spoke highly of the former number one draft pick, saying how special he is due his physique and ability to do different things on the court.
“You’ve seen guys at that size, 6-7, that can get up and down the floor and move, but not at that level, though,” Durant said after Monday’s practice. “You’ve seen guys like Jason Maxiell, I’m not saying they jump as high as Zion, but they were undersized guys that played bigger. And Zion’s one of those guys. Rodney Rogers — I’m missing so many guys that were that tall at 6-6, Charles Barkley bruiser-type guys but played bigger. But Zion’s athleticism trumps all of theirs by far. And when you add that to the mix, it makes him a one of one.”
