New Orleans Pelicans: The Rafters Shook in Zion’s Summer League Debut

How did we feel about the team after the game?

It’s hard to believe, but at the time it felt like Zion would be back in a few days and would continue to show out against NBA talent. With the New Orleans Pelicans leading at the time the game was cancelled there was a good amount of hope.

This team without Zion beat a team that was playing members of its real rotation in this game.

Notes while rewatching the game.

• China’s National team was playing in the Las Vegas part of summer league (Daryl Morey was still months away from tweeting about Hong Kong).
• The 2019 Draft must have been the first time that two left handed players went in the top 3 (Zion and RJ).
• Jud Buechler was coaching the Knicks in this game (“The Last Dance” watchers will recognize the name, he was a small forward with the Bulls from 1994-98).

• Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Dwight Howard was traded to Memphis (the news came across the bottom line).
• Jrue Holiday joined the broadcast team during the second quarter to discuss the  Ne Orleans Pelicans, Nicolo Melli had been signed about 10 days before this game.
• It’s easy to forget but Jrue and AD played seven seasons together in New Orleans (2012-19).
• Zion was still wearing Duke shoes in this game (didn’t sign with Nike until early August)