In one of the most most anticipated preseason games I can remember, the New Orleans Pelicans edged out the Utah Jazz.
For Jazz fans it was the first meeting with Derrick Favors since the offseason. For the rest of the world it was another chance to see Zion Williamson. And Zion did not disappoint.
The touted number 1 overall pick had his way with the Jazz at the rim late in the game. Shooting 9/12 from the field and scoring 26 points, his touch at the basket is as good as any player I’ve ever seen. Rudy Gobert made his life a little more difficult, but he was even able to score over Gobert a few times.
His ability to put the ball in the hoop regardless of who was guarding him was astonishing. He also powered through any defense and would finish each with an and-1. And I’m not exaggerating. He had like 4 and-1’s and at times it felt like the best defense was to just bear hug him. Who in the league can even come close to guarding him?
The Pelicans are going to be a problem and when you look at what Zion was doing, don’t be surprised if they don’t just make the playoffs but maybe even get a decent seed.
Even with Zion doing Zion things, the Jazz looked elite offensively and spent most of the game with a comfortable lead up until the fourth quarter when they rested their starters. Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley both put up 7 assists and Bojan Bogdanovic shot 5/8 from the field and 3/5 from three. There’s just so many weapons offensively for the Jazz and every night there’s a chance for anyone to go off.
Probably one of the most anticipated things was seeing who Quin Snyder would start at the power forward and it was Royce O’Neale. How did it go? O’Neale looked like an elite shooting four going 6/8 from the field and 4/6 from three. O’Neale is such a versatile wing defender and is now shooting the ball with confidence. In a lot of ways, getting O’Neale at the 4-spot is like adding another player because it allows you to play him like you couldn’t in the past. Get ready for a big Royce O’Neale season.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
