NBA Legend Says Zion Williamson Is Being Played Like Michael Jordan 'Now'

An NBA legend thinks Zion Williamson is already like Michael Jordan.

Though Williamson and Jordan were both exceptional players even during college, many would disagree that the pair fairly resembles each other’s game. However, this is not the case when former Phoenix Suns guard Rex Chapman is asked about it.

In a recent talk with BasketballNews, Chapman vividly recalled his first impression of Williamson.

According to the former three-point marksman, he told New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy that he thought Williamson is like a mix of Draymond Green, Charles Barkley and Rodney Rogers.

“Stan Van Gundy and I watched Zion together, and that was even before he knew he was going to coach the Pelicans,” Chapman recounted. “And I remember specifically that he asked me what I think about Zion Williamson, and I said that he’s incredible. He’s insane. He’s like Draymond Green on steroids."

“He can get it off the board like Charles Barkley, he can go coast to coast, he’s built like Rodney Rodgers,” he continued. “He’s explosive, bouncy also a lefty. But he’s got more length than Draymond; he’s got the same kind of feel, maybe quite not the passer that Draymond is right now, but still, he’s a hell of a passer. He’s got great vision, he’s unselfish.”

Williamson is only in his second year in the NBA but has already been playing like a veteran. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound forward has become a major problem for defenders.

For Chapman, the way the opposing team plays Williamson reminds him of how they use to try to stop Jordan.

“I just hope he stays healthy because he’s a generational type of player,” Chapman said of Williamson. “I remember when Jason Kidd couldn’t shoot, when Rajon Rondo couldn’t shoot, Lonzo Ball couldn’t shoot, and now he completely changed his shot.”

“At some point, Zion will become a serviceable shooter of the basketball just like Michael Jordan did,” he added. “We all played off Michael and made him make shots. Then if he makes two or three, you would get up on him. That’s the way they play Zion now.”

Contrary to Chapman’s Jordan-Williamson comparison, Scottie Pippen, who co-starred with "His Airness" during his time with the Chicago Bulls, thinks Williamson is “sort of” like Barkley.

“I think he’s going to be a different player,” Pippen said of Williamson in 2019. “I think he’s going to be a game-changer. And we’re going to see something special out of this kid.”

“I think he’s sort of the Charles Barkley throwback that you’re not going to be able to match up with him, in terms of meeting his physicality that he’s going to bring to the game,” the Bulls legend further pointed out.