NEW ORLEANS: Zion Williamson v. RJ Barrett. Finally.
On Monday, Williamson added 30 points, made 13 of 21 shots, caught six rebounds with four assists, sweeping the Kings in the Big Easy.
Meanwhile, in the field, Barrett put up a scoring clunker, missing his first eight shots, finishing with seven points.
The disparate scoring evenings were not representative of the split between Williamson and Barrett this season.
While Williamson is still far from top talent and is already a superstar, his former bestie duke has now narrowed the gap.
Last season, the Williamson 6-7, despite losing much of the season with knee problems, finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote. Barrett was not even voted on one of the two All-Rookie teams.
On Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center, the Knicks and Barrett will face Williamson for the first time in a regular-season game.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle recently said “seeing him is like an awesome experience,” as if Shaquille O’Neal had guard skills.
“It’s probably a good word to describe it, unique,” Tom Thibodeau said before the Pelicans encounter, “it’s unusual because it’s power and speed. And usually when you have the power, you don’t have the speed or if you have the speed, “You don’t have the power and he has both. He’s very skilled, he puts a lot of pressure on you, he’s a dynamic game creator.”
Williamson, the first pick in the 2019 draft, was injured in the Knicks ’preseason clash last season and also missed the regular season gardening contest. His second game scheduled for April for New Orleans was canceled due to the pandemic.
Williamson faced the Knicks in a summer league game in Las Vegas, but injured his knee and back after nine minutes when he came in too heavy.
While Thibodeau gave his congratulations to Williamson, the Knicks coach mentioned that Barrett has far earned his strength as the third pick in this draft.
“I love the guy we have, I know,” Thibodeau said. “RJ has had a fantastic season for us. It’s great to be around, great teammate, great coach. He has improved every day, he gives you everything he has, he puts the team first; nothing more can be asked for than this. And I think he has a big advantage. “
Slightly thinner, more in attack mode and with an elite finalist, Williamson made the All-Star Game this season. The 20-year-old averages 26.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 62 percent. It still doesn’t take many 3s, but it makes 36% of it.
Perhaps Barrett is next after drastically improving his three-point shot (37.8%), free throw (73.5%) and decision-making. With an average of 17.4 points, Barrett remains a burden when he climbs into the hoop with sly finishes.
It is possible that the two alpha males south of Duke will not match much on Wednesday, as Williamson plays forward. But it will be fun to see the times go hand in hand.
Barrett was not available for comment after Monday’s win over the Lakers and the Knicks did not practice again on Tuesday.
After Memphis ’win Friday, Barrett was asked about comparisons between him, Zion and No. 2 Ja Morant.
“My game speaks for itself,” Barrett said. “I mean you can look at our numbers, see the success of our team. It really doesn’t matter. As long as I continue to improve as a player, I will be happy.
Julius Randle is likely to get the Zion showdown when he goes against his old team. Williamson brings the ball into the pitch, leaving two elite front points.
“He’s a great player, amazing,” Randle said of Williamson. “How is he able to get in the lane, finish and do a lot of things. It’s a tough confrontation, for sure, but I’ll be ready for that. “
Williamson also did not speak after the Pelicans’ victory on Monday, but said last season of Barrett: “He has done well. He’s a rookie and I think he’s gone really well to get to a city like New York. For a newcomer to come to handle New York as it is, it has gone very well.
Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy is still looking for Williamson to become a “more consistent” defender and decision maker. But he thinks his three-point shot will be fine.
Although it is a football city, Williamson has once again made the Pelicans (25-29) relevant again, even if they are struggling this season, in 11th place, competing to get the play-in tournament at number 10.
“It will always be a city of Saints,” said the Knicks and Elfrid Payton guard, a former pelican, New Orleans native. “But I think people there love pelicans. They always did. Before Zion, they loved pelicans. Hopefully Zion will play the rest of his career there. If he doesn’t, they’ll love pelicans. “