| |
|
NBA -- Zion sizzles at the United Center
By Ricardo Carbajal PhilBoxing.com Sat, 08 Feb 2020

CHICAGO -- Rookie sensation Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans told reporters that he was in awe playing in the house Michael Jordan built.
"I wondered what it was like when Jordan was playing here. Six Finals, 6-0, That had to be special," said the 6-foot-7, 284-pound power forward who has taken the NBA by storm since leaving Duke University for the NBA last summer.
The jury is still out whether Williamson can match Jordan's number of championships won, but there is no doubt about his star power.
In a season where attendance has dropped at the United Center, the arena drew a crowd of 20,917 for the Pelicans' lone annual visit, just 13 percent short of capacity. And there was visceral excitement when the 19-year old kid was on the floor.
As the spotlight shined brightly, Williamson, like the great always ones do, came through. He shot 9-of-11 from the field and scored 21 points to lead the Pelicans over the Bulls, 125-119, on Thursday night (Friday morning RP time). He also had four rebounds and played only 25 minutes as he continues to be under a minutes restriction following arthroscopic knee surgery that sidelined him for an extended period of time.
The Pelicans converted a high 56.3 percent of their shots (49-of-87) while drilling 16 of 38 from beyond the 3-point arc (42.1 percent).
With a 21-31 won-lost record New Orleans still has a puncher's chance of making the playoffs in the Western Conference. They trail the eighth place Memphis Grizzlies (26-25) by 5.5 games with still 30 games to go in their 82-game schedule.
The Bulls, got 22 points from Zach LaVine, but it wasn't enough to extend their losing streak to four.
"What we're lacking is kind of an energy and spirit about our team, and we need to get that back," head coach Jim Boylen said after his team dropped to a 19-34 slate.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ricardo Carbajal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Paras ready to face Yokoyama on June 6 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 14 May 2026Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Thu, 14 May 2026Champion Outside the Ring: Gustavo Trujillo and Bio Cell Wellness Group Support Children with Autism Through Life-Changing Therapies , Thu, 14 May 2026IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges , Wed, 13 May 2026GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE , Wed, 13 May 2026Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina , Wed, 13 May 2026Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA) , Wed, 13 May 2026Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 May 2026WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6 , Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan , Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results) By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|