Rookies to Watch When the NBA Returns to Action
When the NBA season resume from Orlando, some rookies could play a big role in the excitement. Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies in particular. Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg talked with SI's Ben Pickman and "The Fantasy Exec" Corey Parson about which rookies they are most excited to watch when the league returns to action at the end of July.
Read the full video transcript:
Robin Lundberg: When the NBA season resumes, there will be some rookies to watch. For more, I'm joined by our Ben Pickman and the fantasy exec Corey Parson. Ben, let's start with you. Which rookie are you most excited to see?
Ben Pickman: I think I'm most excited to see number one overall pick Zion Williamson. Now, we've waited for months to see basketball return and we will see it July 31st, but we waited a while to see Zion Williamson make his initial debut as he did not play until January 22nd of this past year. But when Zion was in those 19 games, he was tremendous. 16 times he scored 20 or more points. He averaged nearly 24 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. You've got to think that maybe he makes that sophomore jump a little bit early this summer if he's been working on his game. Has he adjusted to the size and speed and physicality? Do we see Zion improve even more? Do we see the Pelicans maybe push the Lakers or another top seed in the Western Conference?
Robin Lundberg: Well, Corey, Ben went Zion. So who's your pick?
Corey Parson: Well, I've got to come right behind Zion the second pick in the draft Ja Morant. Now, listen, we've heard about Zion Williamson for years now when he was a young man with his YouTube highlights and dunking. Duke University, you saw the legend of Zion grow. While all of that was happening. Ja Morant was working and I found it real interesting when last we heard from Ja Morant, they went back to his old school workout, the tire jumping and all of that stuff. So he's a young man. He doesn't have a court in his backyard yet. So he was able to do was get back to the gritty old school workout. And if Ja Morant is out there doing those old school workouts led by his father, Tee Morant, he's going to be a lot of trouble when we get back to action.
Robin Lundberg: That grit and grind for the Grizzlies. Corey, Ben, appreciate your time.
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