Zion Gets Some Hype Pushback From An Unexpected Source

When celebrated rookies get started in the NBA, there’s a certain amount of hazing.

First from your own team as you’re made to do mildly demeaning tasks like carry bags, get water for teammates and so forth.

It’s just tradition and a way to incorporate rookies into the group but with a hierarchy.

It happens in the broader league too as older players seek to put younger guys in their place.

So far, Zion Williamson has gotten more excitement from NBA veterans than criticism but they’re coming for him, starting with one of our favorite players, the courageous Enes Kanter.

The guy has stood up to huge pressure from Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan (think of him as LaVar Ball with a military and you start to get the idea) and he is clearly courageous.

We’ll see how brave he is when Williamson comes barreling down the lane at him and Williamson may have a point to make after Kanter said this: “I kind of feel like he’s overhyped. I feel like he’s Julius Randle with hops.

“Some players are scared to say it, but you know me. I’m not scared to say anything.”