New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley is not among those salivating over New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson.
As a matter of fact, Oakley believes Knicks veteran Julius Randle is a better version of Williamson.
Charles Oakley to SiriusXM on Julius Randle: "I think he's a better version of Zion Williamson to me. Because he can do more. Zion Williamson. … I said last year, (the Knicks) didn’t have a superstar. And now they got a superstar."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) April 26, 2021
Charles Oakley to SiriusXM: "(Zion) ain't doing nothing special. He's just putting the ball down, guys they don't slide no more. They reach in and then look behind like, 'Oh, I thought I had help.' There ain't no help. Keep him in front for 2-3 dribbles, you might have help."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) April 26, 2021
Williamson, 20, was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The youngster was one of the most hyped players coming into the league.
The sophomore has lived up to expectations this year. Williamson is collecting a career-high 27.0 points, 7.3 boards and 3.6 assists per game this season.
The only underwhelming part of Williamson’s second-year portfolio has been his inability to take the Pelicans higher in the standings. The Pelicans are the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference with a 26-34 record.
As for Randle, he’s lifting the Knicks to levels they haven’t been to in years. Randle is putting up a career-best 24.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per contest this season.
Furthermore, the Knicks are the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and owners of a league-high nine-game winning streak.