• Analysis: The secrets of the Zion Williamson phenomenon: between the genes of their parents and the millionaire contracts

The 'fat' Barkley always had a big mouth, almost as much as his talent, almost as much as his strength. You have to have a lot of all that, and somewhat less of sanity, to try to punch with Shaquille O'Neal on an NBA track.

The 'fat' Barkley, as he was nicknamed after his arrival in the league, was, is and will be one of the best 'four' in the history of the league. Number five of the 1984 draft two places behind Michael Jordan, a member of the 'Dream Team' in Barcelona 92, MVP and NBA finalist in 1993 with the Phoenix Suns ... He retired in 2000, entered the Hall of Fame and now is the star of the program 'Inside the NBA', of the TNT, in which he makes a funny couple of commentators with, indeed, Shaquille O'Neal.

The 'fat' Barkley was affectionately called (some) 'fat' because he was less than two meters (1.98) and weighed 115 kilos. Same weight, for example, as Hakeem Olajuwon, which measured 17 centimeters more. He does not care about me. Neither his weight nor the nickname. He had a long career in the league between All-Star games, Playoffs and averages over 20 points. His style, talented farador, explosive in the short distance and with intelligence for the game fell in love with many fans of the league. His knee said enough when he had to say it: in the final moments of his career.

Zion Williamson measures 198 centimeters, like Charles Barkley, and weighs 129 kilos .

"A boy with that weight cannot play in the NBA, his knees will not hold ." This was said by Barkley, the 'fat man', about Zion, the boy.

The number 1 of the last draft, internet star before even arriving at the university, killer par excellence, sitting on the throne of the heir of LeBron James , recently signed several million-dollar contracts with the most important brands in the league, seats sold for almost The whole season of the New Orleans Pelicans , records in the sale of his shirt ... He will not debut in the NBA until well into the winter. His right knee has said enough before even officially stepping on the tracks of the best league in the world. An injury to the meniscus that will force you to go through the operating room and will keep you off for at least six to eight weeks.

Zion is a 19-year-old boy able to climb the ball and pass as a base, with the physique and power of the greatest athlete in the league, with the elite rebounding gene of the NBA elite and the intelligence for the game of those who already have many years in the competition. It was, and perhaps continues to be, the main favorite to win the rookie of the year award, but the 20-30 games that will be lost generate doubts that every fan wanted to save himself with. It was known that with their weight and an explosive, penetrating and 'jumping style of play, it was a matter of time before the knees or ankles spoke, but we did not think, nor did they think of New Orleans, that it would be so soon.

The injury is not the end of his career , but confirms the greatest fears about him. Zion's knees need to support less weight, losing part of the strength that has made him lift more interest than anyone in the last decade, in order to play many years in the league. That or change his style of play, forgetting the great physical displays in his penetrations to become a great player of paint, explosive, good rebounder, with physique to endure the strongest interiors ... But without being the new LeBron James . Being, curiously, a version more similar to what was Charles Barkley (an MVP of the league).

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