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A Nike shoe robbed the world of what could have potentially been the best college basketball game of the year (Obama was there!). Just 36 seconds into the game, the best player in college basketball was sidelined with what Coach Krzyzewski is classifying as a “mild right knee sprain.” The injury occurred when the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson tried planting his left foot, but his momentum resulted in him sliding into an awkward hyper-extension, and busting out of his Nike shoe.
Like, completely.
This is wild. pic.twitter.com/DLVpMSwZ6K
— Oruny (@OrunyChoi) February 21, 2019
I bet this would never have happened if Zion was in a pair of $6 Starbury’s. Or the Latrell Sprewell Spinners.
Zion’s injury prompted many to confront the fact that the 18-year-old (yes, 18 fucking years old) doesn’t need to lace up another pair of defunct Nike’s in college and will likely go number 1 overall when he’s eligible for the NBA Draft. If he didn’t play another game in college, how could anyone blame him? It’s a sound business decision, even if it abandons the fan experience.
NBA players from all over the league reminded Zion of this option, while others just wished the phenom well in his recovery.
Hope young fella is ok! Literally blew thru his 👟. 🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 21, 2019
Again let’s remember all the money that went into this game…. and these players get none of it…. and now Zion gets hurt… something has to change @NCAA
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 21, 2019
go play in europe 🤷🏼♂️😂✌️ https://t.co/2o2VPbwnYX
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) February 21, 2019
THIS FACTS💯 https://t.co/837ueqFteU
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 21, 2019
Come on over to puma 🤷🏾♂️
— Terry Rozier (@T_Rozzay3) February 21, 2019
Instead of making a self serving shoe joke I hope @ZionW32 is ok.
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) February 21, 2019
Let these kids go straight out of HS!!! Too much on the line to be messing with college if you got a legit chance to turn pro. One injury can change somebody career, Zion sit yo ass down lol and we will be ready for you in the big boy league #LookingOutForThePlayers
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 21, 2019
This Zion Williamson injury is exactly why players should be able to go directly to the @nba from high school. The league needs to change this rule. PERIOD @GetUpESPN @espn
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) February 21, 2019
Nike is gonna have to make Zion a special shoe at the next level.
— Trevor Booker (@35_Fitz) February 21, 2019
What you guys think? If you were Zion, would you play another game in a Duke uniform? Gunna be a no for me, dawg.