Charles Oakley calls Julius Randle 'a better version of Zion Williamson'

New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson has become a lightning rod for both praise and criticism from NBA legends.

First Karl Malone offered a controversial take on Williamson.

Then Shaquille O’Neal came along with something of a surprising opinion, given his penchant for hating on today’s players.

And now Charles Oakley has thrown his hat into the mix.

According to Oakley, Williamson isn’t particularly impressive as a player.

“(Zion) ain’t doing nothing special,” Oakley said on Sirius XM Radio, via Diamond Leung of The Athletic. “He’s just putting the ball down, guys they don’t slide no more. They reach in and then look behind like, ‘Oh, I thought I had help.’ There ain’t no help. Keep him in front for 2-3 dribbles, you might have help.”

As far as Oakley is concerned, the New York Knicks don’t need Williamson. He believes they already have a better version of him in Julius Randle.

“I think he’s a better version of Zion Williamson to me,” he continued.

“Because he can do more. Zion Williamson. … I said last year, (the Knicks) didn’t have a superstar. And now they got a superstar.”

So far this year Williamson is averaging 27.0 points on 62 percent shooting from the field, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists through 55 games.

Randle, meanwhile, is averaging 24.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per outing.

Is Oakley’s assessment of the two players correct? That’s for every individual fan to decide on their own.