Whether you’re an avid college basketball fan or not, you’ve more than likely heard the news regarding Duke’s Zion Williamson who was injured in Wednesday night’s game against North Carolina.
The headlines that have since followed the future NBA star have blinded us all from the real story that we can pull out of Williamson’s injury: we have a future transformative NBA superstar on our hands.
Injuries happen all of the time, however, Williamson’s injury about set the world on fire. What has been interesting to see has been the headlines that have followed the past 24 hours:
- The NBA officially proposed lowering the draft eligible age to 18.
- Everyone’s favorite topic about whether college athletes should be paid or not.
- NBA players like Demarcus Cousins speaking out against the NCAA.
- Nike and Paul George taking heat for a shoe malfunction.
These are just a few of my favorite headlines. While they don’t necessarily tell us the true story behind this injury, they do prove the truthfulness of Williamson’s transformative influence.
Two recent transformative players in basketball have been LeBron James and Steph Curry. LeBron changed the idea of what a mobile league looks like. Curry changed the way the game is played with the three-point shot. I recently played some pick-up basketball. Everyone thinks they can shoot like Curry. Turns out they can’t.
The truth is, Williamson’s injury has opened my eyes to see him for what he will become. A simple knee injury has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world. Imagine what his style of play and influence can do outside of that injury.
I think this is just the calm before the storm. In fact, this looks like the perfect storm.
Trust Issues
Since writing this column, I have been summoned to write about the organization’s drama week in and week out.
Although it may sound like I’m beating a dead horse, there still remains the fact that there is something to be learned from the Steelers and those involved in the drama.
Antonio Brown has recently announced that he will no longer be with the Steelers, but will find a new home — so long as the Steelers find a trade they can swallow.
I don’t believe that this story is about Brown or the Steelers. This is a story about trust. Brown has obviously seen the outcome for Pittsburgh and Le’Veon Bell. Mix in a few arguments between Roethlisburger and Tomlin and you have yourself a perfectly brewed concoction of trust issues.
In simple terms, the Steelers have been labeled as untrustworthy. Brown is reaching the “old” age of 31 this summer. Most NFL wideouts peak at age 27 and slowly decline until retirement. After seeing what went down last season with Bell, I’m certain that Brown is on his way out of Pittsburgh simply because he doesn’t trust the organization and their so-called “loyalty” to him.
But hey, that’s business.
Flack’s Shoutout
Last night I was able to attend the Rock Springs and Green River high school basketball games. More importantly, I was able to witness the kindness of the community in which we all live in.
I was astonished at the $75,000 that Sweetwater County raised for the Make-A-Wish organization this year.
It served as a reminder to me that at the end of the day, the color of jersey doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are and what you have done as a person.
Thank you for being you, Sweetwater County. You are incredible!
Brayden is a sports and community reporter for SweetwaterNOW. His column, Flack Friday, will be posted every Friday. You can submit comments, questions or ideas regarding the column to brayden@sweetwaternow.com.
