Zion upbeat after rough NBA start
The Pelicans’ star seemed at peace with his relaxed body language. Then, Zion Williamson confirmed it when answering how he feels after spending his NBA rookie season dealing with a knee injury that limited his workload.
“I feel great mentally and physically,” Williamson said Wednesday on a conference call. “Year One was a lot mentally and physically for me. But I needed that experience. It showed me a lot. Now I’m getting ready for Year Two.”
Williamson expects Year Two to be different for various reasons. Unlike last season, when he missed New Orleans’ first 44 games while rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee, he enters the 2020-21 season feeling fully healthy. Unlike when he returned in late January, Williamson does not face a team-imposed minutes restriction.
“I’m looking forward to that very much,” Williamson said. “I don’t think no player wants restrictions. I’m hoping Year Two will be a lot different.”
Despite Williamson’s obstacles, he averaged 22.3 points on 58.3% shooting and 6.5 rebounds. He tantalized the Pelicans with his play-making, physical presence and positional versatility. He encouraged the team with his on-court chemistry with Brandon Ingram, whom the Pelicans signed to a max deal this offseason. And Williamson impressed with his willingness to learn.
Nonetheless, his rookie season did not go as planned.
After his prolonged absence, Williamson admittedly felt frustrated with his minutes restriction. He fought rust and fatigue. He experienced mixed results defensively. Shortly after the NBA resumed in a quarantined campus in late July, Williamson left for nine days to attend to what he called “an urgent family matter.” His absence contributed to the Pelicans’ inconsistency and missed playoff appearance.
“Last year, so much happened. It all happened at once,” Williamson said. “There’s so many directions that I had to look and things I had to do that I couldn’t live in the moment. I
think this year I have a better understanding of living in the moment. When I live in the moment, I can cherish it a lot more. That allows me to have fun and be who I am.”
To get to that point, Williamson said he spent his short offseason staying with his family. That way he could maximize his safety from the coronavirus pandemic. He could also train with his stepfather, whom he has credited for offering valuable and constructive feedback with his development.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans upgraded the roster, fired coach Alvin Gentry, replaced him with Stan Van Gundy and secured Ingram. After letting Derrick Favors leave for Utah, they acquired bruising forward Steven Adams, which is expected to open the floor for Williamson with his defense and screen setting. Though the Pelicans dealt a respected veteran and defender in Jrue Holiday, they received veteran guard Eric Bledsoe to offset that absence, as well as a handful of draft picks.
Williamson gushed about his relationship with Ingram. He praised Adams for his defensive credentials. He complimented Van Gundy’s coaching style.
“He’s a great guy. He’s old-school, just like my stepfather and just like
Coach K (Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski),” Williamson said. “I feel like that will be something that I can easily relate with. Personally, I’m excited to work with him. I can see his love and passion for the game even when he’s showing me small things within the game, and I love stuff like that. I’m very excited to work with him.”
Still, questions linger.
Do the Pelicans have enough outside shooting? Can Williamson elevate his defense? Can the Pelicans mesh with a new coaching staff and personnel in a 72-game season featuring strict safety protocols in a less-controlled environment?
“We could get out there and click in the first week and have a natural feel for it. Or it could take longer because we find ourselves in different situations in the game,” Williamson said. “We have to learn to trust each other. Maybe the trust will be there at first. Maybe it won’t. Honestly, I’m not too sure.”
What Williamson is sure about: His ability to stay healthy and exert more consistent dominance than he showed in his promising albeit unpredictable rookie season.
“I tried to fit in with the team and find my place and just try not to be the rookie that messes up,” he said. “There’s a lot mentally I was trying to process all at once. But starting off fresh at Year Two, we got a lot of new staff and new things going on around here. Hopefully we can come together quicker with that.”