CJ McCollum tries to douse Zion Williamson media fire

CJ McCollum tried to douse the recent Zion Williamson media fire, which has raged out of control over recent days.

McCollum is partially to blame for this, as he inadvertently threw Zion under the bus during All-Star weekend when he revealed that the young star had yet to call him or welcome him to the team.

I have called for Zion Williamson to speak up, but thought WAY too much was made of this situation, as people tend to forget that Zion is a 21-year-old, not a 10-year league veteran, and is still learning how to navigate the non-stop NBA media machine that seems determined to find a controversy.

JJ Redick (who I agreed with) got his two cents in, as did Kendrick Perkins, who was so far off with his stupid take that he had to come defend it in the Pels’ spaces last night, which he failed miserably to do. You can listen here, and it’s a joy to listen to Pels’ fans destroy him with facts.

I love how all of these analysts, who have never once spoken to Zion, have all of these hot takes which amount to nothing more than speculation, some of which covers well-worn territory (no, the Pelicans are not leaving New Orleans).

The fans weren’t the only ones who took up for Zion Williamson last night, as CJ McCollum is getting sick of all of the talk too.

CJ McCollum sticks up for Zion Williamson

McCollum probably had no idea what he was in for when he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, as he clearly wasn’t ready for the media storm that would result from him saying he hadn’t talked to Zion (the two have since connected for a chat).

McCollum tried to pour some water on the fire in a recent Q&A with reporters after the Pelicans’ practice. Here’s what he had to say:

McCollum is dead on here, as Zion Williamson has had to face far too much unfair criticism over his injury and is being scrutinized in ways that other injured players are not.

Do you remember where Joel Embiid rehabbed over two seasons? How about Kevin Durant when he had to miss nearly an entire season with the same injury Zion is dealing with now?

While I do think Zion can help himself by speaking up more often and removing some of the mystique around his future, fans and media tend to forget that this a young human being who deserves some amount of privacy, the same privacy afforded to other stars.

McCollum may have partially started this fire, but he is showing veteran leadership by trying to put it out. But until Zion Williamson finally and mercifully returns, I am sure the media will ignore McCollum’s request and continue their baseless speculation.