| |
|
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:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
