The potential of New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson has always been undeniable, but he has had trouble staying healthy.
In his first four seasons in the NBA, he played a total of just 114 games due to several injuries, and while most have been rooting for him to reach his potential, they were at least somewhat skeptical he would get there.
But this season, the Duke University product has appeared in 60 of a possible 71 games, and thanks largely to him, the Pelicans have taken over fourth place in the Western Conference.
Teammate CJ McCollum says that Williamson’s mentality and approach have changed, which has resulted in him being able to avoid injury this late in the season, per NBA on ESPN.
“He’s kind of shifted his mentality, he’s shifted his approach. And obviously his body has shifted. We’re getting later in the season and he’s dominant,” McCollum said.
Zion is locked in at the end of the regular season 🔒
How far can the Pelicans go? 👀 pic.twitter.com/h2TQ7lql4I
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 26, 2024
Williamson is averaging 22.6 points a game on 58.6 percent shooting from the field, and since the start of February, he has upped his game a notch.
He has been regarded as something of a one-dimensional player, but he has also expanded his productivity by dropping 5.0 assists a game this year.
With Williamson starting to become something approaching his best self, New Orleans has surged lately by going 9-2 so far in March.
While they have always been a potent offensive team, they have also risen to sixth in defensive rating this season.
It is way too early to make plans to see the Pelicans in the NBA Finals, but they have taken a step forward, and they could take another big step forward in the playoffs this year.
They have made the playoffs just once since drafting Williamson in 2019, and they have won just one playoff series in the last 16 seasons.
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