We haven't seen Zion Williamson reach his full potential so far, but maybe things are starting to look up. On Tuesday night, Zion threw one of the most violent and technically impressive alley-oops I've seen this season.
Not to mention his athletic ability. Williamson's head was at rim level when he was ready to throw down, taking off obscenely far from the hoop. What makes this piece truly special is the devil in the details.
The pass from Dyson Daniels was good, but far from perfect. He's a bit over the top and for most people this would be over the top. Instead, Zion reached back with his left hand, grabbed the rock in the air, and still managed to use his strength to throw the rock down. Every step of the way seemed like an effort.
There may be a glimmer of hope that we can actually see Zion return, and that would be great for basketball. It's been a tough five years since he entered the NBA. His chronic foot problems, along with fluctuations in his weight and concerns about his work ethic, have turned Williamson into one of the NBA's most volatile stars. He's an undeniable superstar when he's at his best, but in the past he doesn't seem to have had any desire to strive for greatness.
The situation will change from 2023 to 2024. Although the numbers don't back it up, Williamson has worked the hardest of his career so far. He had 17 points and 11 assists against the Jazz, playing an important role as a facilitator as well as a finisher.
I hope something like this happens again in the future.
