This past week, gamers were teased with the reveal of the PlayStation 5. During the unveiling of the console, NBA 2K got to show off some of the graphical capabilities of their newest game, NBA 2K21. If you saw it, then you would know that Zion Williamson was front and center for that demonstration. In the video, you can see Zion sweating in an open gym where he dribbles the ball for a bit before showcasing one of his signature dunks. The graphics looked incredible and fans began to speculate as to whether or not Williamson would be the cover athlete.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the video game issued a statement saying that these speculations were false. As they explain, Zion has an endorsement deal with NBA 2K and they felt as though he was the perfect subject to showcase the new graphics. The statement went on to note that there will be multiple cover athletes and they will be revealed next month in July.

Zion Williamson barely got to play during his rookie season but when he did get to step on the court, he made the most of his opportunities. It has become quite clear that he is a star in the NBA and if he stays healthy, he has MVP potential. Fans are already obsessed with the kid and the NBA, as well as Take-Two Interactive, are well-aware of this. 

Williamson's stardom was on full display today as he was the main focus of the NBA 2K21 PS5 reveal. Of course, today was the day that Sony finally unveiled the PS5 and NBA 2K21 was a part of it all. In the clip below, you can see Zion in video game form as he stands in an open gym, waiting to perform a monstrous dunk. All we hear is dribbling and breathing before a song comes in and Williamson does his thing.

For the last couple of months, New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson has been in a legal battle with his former agent Gina Ford. Ford is suing Zion for wrongful termination of their contract and to gain leverage in the lawsuit, Ford has resorted to some pretty nefarious tactics. For instance, she recently served the courts a request to have Zion answer questions and effectively admit that he allegedly took “improper benefits” to attend Duke and wear Nike shoes.

Well, Zion recently received a big win in this case as according to the New York Post, the judge has sided with Zion and his legal team who recently filed a motion to block Ford’s request. Essentially, there is now a “stay and paused” order which means Williamson is in the clear for the moment. Ford’s legal counsel now has ten days to request an overturning of this ruling.

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If Zion were to take the stand here, Duke basketball and the entire NCAA could be in a lot of trouble. The NCAA has notoriously harsh rules about accepting gifts and considering Zion’s talent and stature, it would be a horrendous look for Duke if it was revealed they were giving him gifts.

Stay tuned for updates on this story as we will be sure to give them to you.

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As of right now, the NBA is looking at multiple different scenarios that could bring about the return of NBA basketball. Fans are very excited about the prospect of the league’s return although absolutely nothing is set in stone right now. Perhaps the biggest thing the NBA is talking about right now is their playoff format and how it can be made fair for all of the teams in the league.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the league is also thinking about the bigger picture which, of course, involves ratings. Essentially, they want big-name players in the postseason and that includes Zion Williamson who’s New Orleans Pelicans are just outside of the playoffs. As Windhorst explains, the NBA wants to expand the playoff field because then, Zion could get some visibility.

Per Windhorst:

“One of the things I’ve been hearing as I’ve talked to people in the league is, the league is gonna set up this playoff plan to make sure Zion Williamson is involved. … Paranoia is at the top of the list with anything in the NBA. … They’re always paranoid about everything—’the league is screwing me, and they’re helping that guy.’ In this case, there’s a number of different reasons why the league would want to have 20 or 24 teams, a number of different reasons to get extra games. But most of those scenarios include making sure, having Zion Williamson in the postseason.”

This supposed tactic by the league shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise when you consider how much money they have lost over the last few months. If they truly believe Zion can salvage their profits by just a little, they’re going to take that leap.

Zion Williamson has been in the news quite a bit recently due to the fact that his former agent Gina Ford is accusing him and his family of taking benefits and gifts in order to attend Duke University. They are also being accused of taking the same types of gifts and payola in order to wear Adidas or Nike sneakers out on the court. 

Ford has filed a motion where Zion would have to answer questions regarding these allegations and that he would have to fork over the truth. Of course, this is mostly a negotiation tactic in her lawsuit against Williamson and his lawyers are fully aware of that. As reported by the Associated Press, Williamson’s attorneys have gone to the judge with a request to dismiss Ford’s motion.

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Throughout the legal documents, Williamson’s attorneys use strong language saying Ford’s motion is “nothing more than a fishing expedition aimed at tarnishing Williamson’s reputation” and that she is looking to “maximize potential embarrassment and media coverage in an attempt to improperly gain settlement leverage.”

The attorneys also went on to say that what Ford is doing is nothing more than harassment. Needless to say, Zion and Ford are in for an ugly legal battle and the future of college athletics is at stake considering what Williamson has been accused of.

Stay tuned for updates as we will be sure to bring them to you.

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LaVar Ball is consistently one of the most interesting men in the entire sports industry thanks to his constant hot takes about his sons and their relation to other notable players in the NBA. Ball thinks his sons are better than everyone, even if they haven’t actually accomplished anything. For instance, Ball is a big believer in his son LaMelo who has yet to be drafted into the NBA.

During a recent episode of the “Load Management” podcast, Ball spoke about LaMelo and how he is already more popular than the likes of Zion Williamson. As LaVar explains, Melo has played overseas and is considered to be a global star, whereas Williamson is supposedly only known in North America.

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“Melo’s (aura) is better. Because Melo is worldwide,” LaVar said. “You take Zion to Germany or Lithuania or Lat or Estonia or London, they don’t know who he is. You take Melo over there, you know who he is. Like I said, take him over there and see. Ask who Zion is, they’ll look at you crazy like ‘Who is Zion?’”

This is certainly a bold take but when you consider it’s coming from LaVar, you really can’t be all that surprised. Perhaps when all is said and done, he will be right but for now, his take is questionable at best.

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Zion Williamson recently sued his former agent Gina Ford after it was alleged that his contract with her was illegal based on provisions outlined by North Carolina's Uniform Athlete Agent Act. Williamson went on to sign with CAA and now, Ford is suing Zion and his new representation for upwards of $100 million in damages. While this legal battle seemed to be nothing we haven't seen before, it is now getting ugly as Ford is making some massive allegations.

According to attorney Daniel Wallach, Ford has hit Zion with various requests for admission. Essentially, Ford is alleging that Zion took gifts and other benefits in order to take his talents to Duke University. Ford also claims Zion's mother and step-father were working on his behalf to secure benefits in exchange for wearing Nike and Adidas shoes.

Lil Wayne is one of the greatest rappers of all time and when he isn’t writing new songs and recording new music, he can be found watching live sports. Basketball is easily one of his favorites and it is well-documented that he is a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, Wayne went on the “All The Smoke” podcast with Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes where he spoke about his love of Kobe Bryant and a whole range of other topics.

Sticking to sports, Wayne was asked about who are some of his favorite players in the NBA right now. As a Lakers fan, Wayne made sure to acknowledge LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the entire Lakers bench. From there, he spoke about a plethora of veteran players, as well as some young guns were thrown into the mix.

The aforementioned veterans were Chris Paul, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. From there, Wayne spoke about two of the league’s standout rookies, Ja Morant and Zion Williamson. Wayne was particularly impressed by Ja Morant who was making the Memphis Grizzlies look like a bonafide playoff team.

With Wayne’s comments in mind, it’s clear that he is paying attention to the next generation of players. If you get name-dropped by Wayne, you must be doing something right.

LeBron James has been the face of the NBA since joining the league all the way back in 2003. He came into the league the year after Jordan retired for the third and final time so it was believed that he would help carry on the Jordan legacy. So far, he has done a pretty good job of doing that although he leaves a bit to be desired in the championship department. Regardless, LeBron is already a legend and in just a few years from now, he will be exiting the game of basketball.

Today on First Take, Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith discussed who they felt would take the torch from LeBron in regards to being the face of the NBA. Kellerman was the first to answer and he was quick to say Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Of course, Williamson was drafted first overall last summer and despite playing in very few games, he has already cemented himself as one of the most exciting players to watch.

Dwyane Wade is just like us in the sense that he is equally as bored in light of the Coronavirus-induced shutdown of the NBA. With nothing better to do except self-isolate, DWade decided to take to Twitter where he did a Q&A with all of his fans. There were some pretty great questions being asked and at one point, a fan wanted to know who Wade's favorite rookies are this year.

Wade gave some pretty obvious answers although his third choice was definitely one that will make Chicago Bulls fans happy. The NBA legend picked Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and Coby White. Curiously, Wade omitted Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat but such is life. We're sure Wade still thinks highly of the Heat young gun.