2019 NBA DRAFT RE-CAP - ZION, RJ, JA, AND PITTSBURGH'S OWN CAM JOHNSON
2019 NBA DRAFT RE-CAP – WILL ZION LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS?
This year’s NBA draft was a lot of fun to watch. The emotion the young guys displayed was great to see. For many, years of family sacrifice and along with hard work, drills, and God given talent all culminated into fulfilling their dreams.
The first three picks went exactly as everyone expected with Zion Williamson – the most hyped draft prospect since LeBron James heading to the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion was last year’s college player of the year playing power forward for Duke, his stats and athletic abilities are amazing, but my favorite thing about Zion is that you never, ever see the guy without a smile on his face.
Zion will be a key component in the New Orleans re-build now that Anthony Davis has been traded to the Lakers. Zion is a great defender, a power dunker and has a reputation of being an awesome teammate. Eyes filled with tears, Zion said, “I don’t know what to say, I didn’t think I’d be in this position. My mom sacrificed a lot for me, and I wouldn’t be here without my mom.”
With pick #2 – the Grizzlies selected Ja Morant – point guard from Murray State. It was so cool to see footage of Ja and his dad doing drills in the driveway. Ja gave credit to his dad for giving up on his own NBA dreams to focus on his son’s. Morant is a special playmaking point guard and was a lot of fun to watch in this year’s NCAA tournament. He needs to clean up some of his flashy passes, and he has some extraordinary dunking ability. Memphis made a deal with the Jazz sending Mike Conley over in a trade which should allow Ja Morant to be the starting point guard.
RJ Barrett was selected #3 going to the New York Knicks, and many feel that he may be the most productive/impactful player immediately for a franchise that desperately needs a lift. Barrett was a shooting guard at Duke, and is best friends with Zion. He is 6 foot 7 and plays even bigger with very long arms. He has a humble/quiet personality, but plays with ferocious intensity. He should fit well with the young core of the Knicks which includes Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, and Mitchell Robinson.
The surprise pick of the draft was the Suns reaching at #11 to select Pittsburgh native – Cameron Johnson. He was a forward who spent five years in college split between Pittsburgh/North Carolina. He probably was the best shooter in the draft. The Suns young core which also includes Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker should help Cam Johnson get some good looks. Cam Johnson wasn’t in the green room on Thursday night not expecting to be a lottery pick.
The NBA could definitely use some new blood/talent. I’m expecting these four guys to help the resurgence of the league as older superstars like LeBron fade away. I’m still not giving up on eventually bringing an NBA team to Pittsburgh. More to come here.
What do you think? Will Zion be the real deal? Can RJ Barrett make an immediate impact with the Knicks? Does Cam Johnson help Phoenix finally getting back to being a contender?
Have a great week!
Dan from Indiana