Just nine games into the new season, the New Orleans Pelicans are off to another disappointing start. Injuries have devastated the roster (again), with several key players expected to be out for at least two more weeks.
There has been “drama” with the franchise player, Zion Williamson, surrounding his large amount of early-season absences. Williamson has already missed three games, including the season opener with an undisclosed illness and the Pelicans’ home game against the Portland Trail Blazers, where Zion’s sore leg forced him to stay away from the team entirely.
On Wednesday, Williamson exited the Pels’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter with what was described as tightness in his left thigh. He did return to start the third quarter, and he had one of his best games of the season, posting 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and a block. However, you can’t help but wonder if Williamson couldn’t have toughed it out.
That’s a horrible question to be asking of any player in the sixth season of their career. If Williamson is going to ever reach his potential as a basketball player, their can’t ever be a question to his commitment to his craft or his body.
Zion has already missed one third of the Pelicans’ games this season, bringing his overall total to 207 regular season games. Who knows how many postseason games the Pelicans could have played in if he had been more available?
With Zion, the injury question won’t go away. It’s the primary reason that the divide in the fan base exists between Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
The next question for Williamson is his lack of development. The only reason it’s second is because how much his progress has been slowed by his lack of availability. Zion, due to his lack of height, has to be an efficient scorer. He has not been that this season.
His shooting numbers are down across the board. His 45.2 FG% is the lowest of his career, as is his effective FG% (46.2) and true shooting percentage (52.1). All are below the league average.
| MP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | FT% | +/- | |
| 2020 | 30.8 | 19.7 | 8.2 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 54.9 | 58.3 | -3.2 |
| 2022 | 31.0 | 21.7 | 6.7 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 51.9 | 66.7 | 5.7 |
| 2023 | 32.0 | 21.8 | 7.0 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 50.5 | 60.5 | -6.0 |
| 2024 | 31.0 | 22.7 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 45.2 | 66.7 | -2.3 |
What changed so fast? The Zion Williamson we saw on media day seemed to be at his happiest and most-focused since his rookie year. He promised that he had learned from last season’s embarrassment in the in season tournament.
“I didn’t show up,” Zion said. “It hit me while the game was going on. I just looked up and said, ‘I didn’t show up.’ I don’t have any excuse.”
“I’m out for straight vengeance. Not against any particular person. Just for myself.”
We have not gotten a vengeful Zion Williamson.
There have been flashes of athletic brilliance. He was dominant in a win over the Indiana Pacers, flirting with a triple-double by posting season-highs with 34 points (14-20 FG, 1-2 3P) and 10 assists, to go along with six rebounds, and two steals, with only three turnovers while playing a season-high 37 minutes. He was really good against the undefeated Cavs.
But overall, Williamson remains untapped potential. He’s talented enough to be very good, but hasn’t been consistent enough to be great.
Yes, it’s nine games into the season. And while the Pelicans are 3-6, they’d likely have more wins if Zion had been more available and, frankly, better.
Williamson, at his best, is capable of feats that few players in the NBA can match. But six seasons in, that is no longer enough.
The Pelicans haven’t won a playoff series since 2018. They’ve watched other teams rebuild faster and better, with arguably lesser talent. The fan base has, rightfully, gotten impatient.
David Griffin sits in the front office, but Zion has the power. Whether the Pelicans become a legitimate franchise, or remain an also-ran, is on his broad shoulders. It isn’t fair, but it is the responsibility that comes with his talent and salary.
With Ingram playing closer to the player the Pelicans need him to be on a nightly basis, Williamson has to, in his words, “show up.” He has to lead by example. He has to play at an All-NBA level each night.
Time to show up. We’ll be watching.
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