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Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons “tanking for Zion Williamson” is the right move

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Duke Blue Devils Forward (1) Zion Williamson waits to enter the game during a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the University of Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 9, 2019. (Photo by Justin Cooper/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Duke Blue Devils Forward (1) Zion Williamson waits to enter the game during a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the University of Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 9, 2019. (Photo by Justin Cooper/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots a free throw against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots a free throw against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

5. Mid-range shooting adds a new dynamic to the offense

A part of the skill set of Zion Williamson that often gets overlooked at Duke, largely thanks to his overwhelming level of elite athleticism, is how dangerous can be with his mid-range jumper. Zion doesn’t break out the mid-range shot often, but it is a valuable tool in his arsenal of many offensive weapons.

However, the shot charts that Zion had in the early part of the regular season with Duke didn’t show much variance in his shot selection. It was more of a recent development in ACC play that Zion started to get more looks with a pull-up shot from within the three-point line. There is still something left to be desired with his shot selection, though.

If the Bulls did want Williamson to start taking more looks from beyond the arc, it would be new development to his offensive arsenal. Adding a three-point shot to what Williamson brings to the table is honestly something that would make him just unfair as a matchup. No one would be able to cover a version of Zion with three-point range.

But, developing a three-point jumper would be a ways out since there’s some other factors this prospect needs to work on to improve his offensive versatility. Zion does have the capability of hitting some shots from outside of the paint. His electric level of athleticism and ability to play above the rim are what causes him to have so many shots from inside the paint.

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