Zion Williamson has changed. The Pelicans power forward is showing a level that we had seen in dribs and drabs since he was chosen in first position in the 2019 Draft. The one from Salisbury, who has lost eleven kilos since the In-Season Tournament, averages 24 points (62 .5% on field goals), six rebounds and five assists since then.
The appearance of Zion in 2019, an agile player despite his weight of more than 130 kilos, was the focus of debate in the United States. Some placed him at the level of LeBron James, as far as expectations are concerned. The feeling he gave with his movements was that he could change the game in the NBA, something similar to what is currently happening with Wembanyama.
However, his constant injuries and overweight problems deprived us of being able to enjoy Williamson. In his first four seasons in the league, Zion only played in 129 of 308 games. In 2021-2022, the Pelicans player missed the entire campaign, while last year he only played in 29 games due to a hamstring injury.
To reverse the situation, the Pelicans put a clause in his contract, forcing Zion to keep his weight below 133 kilograms. The player abided by the rules of his franchise, because according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the power forward has lost eleven kilos since the New Orleans team lost in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament in December.
The one from Salisbury, who despite injuries has played in the All-Star twice, in 2021 and 2023, has played 57 games this season, so he is four games away from equaling his personal record, the 61 games he played in the 2020-2021.
Likewise, Williamson commented a few days ago that he is working daily to improve physically: “A lot of recovery and a lot of extra things off the court to keep my body in good shape and reduce the risk of injury.” The power forward also valued the help of the staff members in his recovery: “The coaching staff has been of great help in this process. I am making the most of the technology and equipment we have available.”
Zion’s resurgence has been key for the Pelicans to be fifth in the Western Conference, half a game behind the Clippers, fourth. With last night’s victory against the Nets, where the man from Salisbury achieved 28 points (11 of 16 on field goals), seven rebounds and four assists, those from New Orleans have had eight wins in their last ten games.
His teammates know that the Pelicans’ performance in the playoffs will depend, in part, on how Williamson is doing. Jonas Valanciunas commented a few weeks ago that “every time Zion enters the court he adds many things. He has been a professional this year, he is taking care of his body, that is very important,” declared the Lithuanian.
The Pelicans face their last 14 games of the regular season with Zion in the best condition. The number 1 in the Draft in 2019 has recovered the level that led him to be an All-Star, and who knows if he will reach the expectations that were placed on him when he left Duke University. At 23 years old, he has a lot of future ahead of him, and the injuries that hampered him seem to have fallen by the wayside.
