In today’s NBA, winning a championship is about more than just teamwork—it’s about having a superstar who can break defenses and dominate on the court. The last five NBA champions have been defined by incredible individual performances. From Kawhi Leonard’s brilliance with the Raptors in 2019 to Nikola Jokic’s historic run with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, one thing is clear: you need a leader who can take over when it matters most. Zion Williamson, often dubbed the NBA’s Most Disrespected Star, has yet to fully step into that role, despite his undeniable talent and potential.
Why Zion Williamson Could Be the NBA’s Most Disrespected Star
Zion Williamson is supposed to be that leader for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s the heart of the team, their centerpiece, the guy who can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye. Yet, controversy surrounds him. Despite his explosive talent, Yahoo! Sports recently ranked Zion as only the 16th-best “alpha dog” in the league—a slap in the face for someone expected to elevate his team to greatness.
Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo! Sports defines a first option as “the alpha—the player whose personality and ability make them the leader of their squad. In clutch moments, they calm the storm, control the game, and pull their team out of chaos.” According to this, Zion falls behind heavyweights like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum. But Rohrbach also places unproven players like Victor Wembanyama, a second-year player, ahead of Zion. This is where things get interesting—and heated.
Wembanyama at number seven? Really? Many will question how a player with limited NBA experience can rank above someone like Zion, who, despite injury woes, has shown he can dominate games. Other questionable picks include Joel Embiid, who’s ranked ninth after another playoff collapse, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led his team to the postseason as a top option for the first time last year but is now somehow ranked fifth.
Sure, names like Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant deserve to be higher on the list. Butler has dragged his team to two Finals appearances, proving he belongs among the elite. But Zion, when healthy, could easily crack the top 10—or even higher. His sheer physicality and dominance, when unleashed, make him a force that few can match.
The pressure is now on Zion to stay healthy and carry the Pelicans on a deep playoff run. His talent is undeniable, but until he proves it in the postseason, critics like Rohrbach will continue to cast doubt. If Zion can overcome his injuries and lead his team, this ranking could soon be a thing of the past.
Editor’s Insight: Ranking Zion Williamson 16th feels like a massive understatement, but it’s also a wake-up call. The young star needs to shed his “potential” tag and turn into the unstoppable force everyone expected him to be. With health and determination, Zion can silence his doubters.
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