Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Pro Responds to Disrespect With Elite Effort

Duke basketball great Zion Williamson had quite a performance for someone who would "eat the table."
Matt Giles|
Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

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On Monday morning, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on First Take he heard chefs in New Orleans love Zion Williamson and that the former Duke basketball one-and-done will "eat the table." Disrespectful.

And Smith wasn't the only pundit criticizing Williamson in light of his frequent jogging in the New Orleans Pelicans' 44-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their NBA In Season Tournament semifinal matchup on Thursday.

So, in the Pelicans' first outing since that defeat, Williamson answered critics by posting a season-high 36 points in Monday night's 121-107 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He added five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in his 33 minutes, shooting 13-for-17 from the field and 10-for-12 at the line.

New Orleans' other Duke basketball talent, Brandon Ingram, tallied 23 points, three boards, and five assists in his 29 minutes on the floor.

But back to Zion Williamson. For his career, the 23-year-old forward, who went No. 1 overall to the Pelicans at the 2019 NBA Draft, is averaging 25.4 points per game while shooting 60.2 percent from the field.

According to a post last week from the official NBA account, if Williamson's playing days ended now, he'd be the only player in the league's history to average over 25 points per game while shooting better than 60 percent for their career.

Yes, he could be in better shape. But maybe folks should consider focusing more on his dominant displays and talk more about why a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Minnesota's Rudy Gobert, can't seem to contain him.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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