When he came out of Duke University in 2019, New Orleans Pelicans' star Zion Williamson was touted as the NBA's next big thing, the man who was going to effortlessly take the mantle of the league's next megastar, ushering in a new era of dominance. While meniscus, foot, and knee injuries have hampered the two-time All-Star thus far in his four-year career (he played just 114 games out of a possible 246 games over his first three seasons, but has played 14 out of a possible 18 this season), he is among the league's dominant players when healthy.
In just his second season (2020-21), Williamson matched Shaquille O'Neal's previous record of consecutive games (25) with at least 20 points while shooting at least 50 percent from the field. That season, in 61 games, Williamson averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 61.1 percent shooting. He followed up that campaign by getting off to a blistering start (26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists on 60.8 percent shooting) before a hamstring injury on Jan. 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers ended up sidelining him for the rest of the season. At the time of the injury, the Pelicans were 23-13 and second in the Western Conference. The team ended 42-40, ninth in the conference, and lost 123-118 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in tournament.
Williamson's value to the Pelicans cannot be overstated, and a new element to his game this season has increased his value even more so.
Without a true facilitator on the roster, head coach Willie Green has often used Williamson to bring the ball up the floor and initiate offense, something that Williamson does do well, whether it is driving and finding shooters on the wing, or solid interior passing to center Jonas Valanciunas. Having Williamson initiate not only makes him a threat right from the top, but also allows him to preserve his body more in the long run. Rather than catch the ball off screens, cut, and race to the basket, having him set things up allows him to play with less force initially, while also giving him the option of attacking straight from the top, something that he has done often this season, with the goal of either converting or drawing a foul. Though he has missed a share of inside shots in the lane, the times when he does convert seem effortless. With the power that Williamson generates, defenders often do not have a chance to contest once he drives and lowers his shoulder. Williamson also has a very quick second jump, which allows him to get up and grab misses quicker than most players. His ability to drive and attract defenders also generates open looks for teammates, which is 4.8 assist average can be attributed to.
Despite being in the bottom half of the league in three-point percentage (35.7 percent, 17th), the Pelicans will get a boost in that regard when CJ McCollum returns, presumably this week, from his lung collapse. The veteran has been out since Nov. 6, and it will be a welcomed sight when he returns.
Williamson, in his 14 games this season, is averaging 23.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, on 54.8 percent from the field and 61.8 percent from the free-throw line. As a player, his free-throw shooting can definitely improve, as can his rebounding, with 5.8 pegame on the low side for a guy his size.
He does, however, seem to be succeeding in a newer role for his team, one that should only get better as the season goes along with McCollum's impending return, health permitting.
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