Zion Williamson is enjoying a healthy season. He’s starting to peak at the perfect time, too. With him operating as a primary ball-handler, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves sixth in the Western Conference. For Williamson, this season presents an opportunity to prove himself after two years of injury issues and under-performing.
When speaking with The Atheltic’s Williams Guillory, Williamson revealed that he is “pouring everything” into the Pelicans, as he aims to give them a taste of success.
“People don’t understand how much I really love this [stuff],” Williamson said. “I pour everything into doing my best for the team and for the people who support me in New Orleans. I get it. You can only go off the information that’s in front of you. But that’s the great thing about the opportunity we have the rest of the way. We get to write our own story.”
The Pelicans have been patient with Williamson. They have stuck by him through his weight issues and injuries. They have backed him by building a deep, talented roster designed to feature his unique skill-set. Now, with Williamson fully locked in, the Pelicans could begin to make noise during the postseason.
Of course, any chance of success for New Orleans relies on Williamson remaining healthy. That appears to be the biggest swing factor in his ability to prove himself as a legitimate star and the Pelicans’ chances of contending in earnest. From what we have seen this season, Williamson is taking his responsibilities seriously.
Considering Williamson’s contract is heavily incentivized on his weight and fitness, it makes sense that he is keeping himself in shape. Yet, judging by his comments to Guillory, having the chance to prove himself as a top-tier talent is likely driving his current production. What he does in the postseason will tell us a lot more about how far he has to go to be a top-10 player in the NBA.
