Related
Now that Zion Williamson's season is over, the speculation of him joining the Knicks is kicking into the next gear.
Williamson and top-seeded Duke were upset by Michigan State 68-67 on Sunday in the Elite Eight. The 18-year-old power forward is widely expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft, and the Knicks currently own the NBA's poorest record. (The three worst teams will have equal 14% chances of receiving the top pick when the draft lottery is held next month.)
The NCAA Tournament has given basketball analysts and fans alike an opportunity to better evaluate the top NBA prospects.
"I'm thinking the Knicks either now have to get the 1 or the 2 pick, and they have to get either Zion Williamson or (Murray State point guard) Ja Morant," WFAN's Boomer Esiason said at the start of Monday's "Boomer and Gio" show.
"Whether it be a rebound, going up over a 6-foot-10 guy and being above the rim when he gets the rebound away from him or just explodes in a lane for a dunk or somehow, some way decides to take a 3-pointer, this kid can pretty much do it all, and he's almost impossible to cover," Esiason said.
"His defense and when he decides to elevate for a block could be the most impressive thing that he does," Esiason's co-host, Gregg Giannotti, said of Williamson.
Esiason said there's a sizable drop-off after Williamson and Morant.
"RJ Barrett (of Duke) probably fell off a little bit," Esiason said. "The guy tends to want to go left all the time and couldn't hit ... two big free throws in order to tie the game."
Giannotti said he agrees "a little bit of shine came off" of Barrett, but he said the shooting guard should not be judged based on Sunday's game alone.
To listen to the open from Monday's show, click on the audio player above.