The NBA is seeing a ton of new teams emerge as potential contenders. Due to the commitment to build through the draft, multiple teams are now firmly on the contendership trajectory. Among them, perhaps, no one team is more of an injury risk than the New Orleans Pelicans. As a result, despite their impressive start, Charles Barkley still has questions about the team. Or, more particularly, their superstar, Zion Williamson.

“Number 1 – I think it’s great that he’s playing back-to-back. The only question is his health. I do have one issue with his game. He’s gotta get more rebounds. I don’t like the fact that he’s not even close to double-digit rebounds. He should be, he’s a double-digit rebound guy…Yeah, he gotta get more than 6 rebounds. He’s too talented to get 6 rebounds a game. He should be easily 10,11 rebounds a night. That’s the only problem I have…He’s only got 2 double-doubles this year. That’s impossible,” Barkley said during Inside the NBA broadcast.

Despite the hype around the highlight reel dying down, he remains one of the most impactful players in the game when healthy. And, instead of just sheer dominance, there might be a secret reason for his success. One, that Kenny “The Jet” Smith believes is Charles Barkley-esque.

“As much as we see his athletic prowess that everyone talks about, his ball-handling, to me, is the reason why he’s that good. Because, when he’s at the three-point line – to be able to get to, Charles Barkley-like. I think Barkley’s ball-handling was underrated. That’s why he was just as good. Because he could get from the 3-point line into the paint,” claimed Kenny.

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“That’s what Zion does, and he’s able to get it. And he’s able to score with more proficiency…To me, his ball-handling is the difference.”Against a team without a major interior presence in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarter-final, can Williamson answer the call?

‘Wildcard’ Zion doesn’t answer the call from Charles Barkley

If those were the words before the game, Zion did not inspire a ton of confidence in his quarter-final showing. Despite a strong showing from New Orleans as a whole, it was a mediocre night from the former number 1 overall draft pick. Totaling just 10 points and 6 rebounds, he was among the least impactful players in the game.

It even led Barkley to call him the “Wildcard” of the team, opting for Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum as the true superstars of the Pelicans. But, with the team escaping a furious Sacramento Kings rally, Z will have another chance at redemption in the Semi-Finals.

With fitness allegations reaching a fever pitch, can Williamson find another gear? Or is this a sign of what’s to come?

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