NBA Greats Debate 'Explosiveness' of Zion Williamson, Shawn Kemp, Charles Barkley

Former NBA champions debated about the New Orleans Pelicans all-star Zion Williamson on the KG Certified podcast.

NBA greats and Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce debated New Orleans Pelicans all-star Zion Williamson on Showtime Basketball's KG Certified podcast.  Garnett started the conversation by reprimanding the Pelicans for considering trading Zion Williamson in a package deal to draft guard Scoot Henderson.  "Calm down," Garnett said.  He continued, "he's gonna go through some of these are growing young man...Zion is a generational talent...they were patient with Emiid, they were patient with Giannis."

Pierce countered, "I don't really agree with he's a generational talent."  Garnett had a few choice words for Pierce, saying there's never been someone in the NBA "285[pounds], this powerful, this agile."

Feb 3, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks the ball over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Pierce replies, "Shawn Kemp...Charles Barkley...You asked me, I'm telling you."

Garnett argues that Kemp nor Barkley "was not this explosive" as Zion Williamson. Pierce comebacks with, "I don't see the same dunk-ons [from Zion] like I seen from Kemp."  Later, Garnett explains, "Ain't nobody in this generation jumping with Dude [Zion]...I've never seen explosiveness like this.  Not saying that Sean Kemp wasn't explosive."  Finally, Pierce answers, "he's in the Shawn Kemp mode."

Although the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductees traded their opinions on Zion, the options for New Orleans to find a trade partner(s) for the all-star forward may be dwindling.  If so, expect Williamson and the Pelicans to mend fences before going into the 2023-24 season.  Suppose New Orleans manages to keep their star player. In that case, they will have a better chance of winning an NBA championship than allowing another team to reap the benefits of a generational talent like Zion Williamson.