After missing all of last season because of a foot injury, New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson is finally back.
He looked outstanding in their season opener on Wednesday, scoring 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, four steals, and three assists in their 130-108 win over the loaded Brooklyn Nets.
Zion looked great in his return to action tonight! #KiaTipOff22
💪 25 PTS
💪 9 REB
💪 4 STL pic.twitter.com/grzb1loFyK— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2022
Williamson seems to have regained his explosiveness, and many feel the Pelicans are poised to do some damage in the always-competitive Western Conference.
Could he possibly take the next step and become a candidate for the regular season MVP award?
There Are Several Players Ahead Of Him On The MVP Ladder
Williamson will have to truly break out, as there are plenty of men who are more likely to walk away with the MVP trophy.
For starters, there is the man who has won the award each of the last two years – the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.
Other frontrunners include Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo (also a two-time MVP), Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Stephen Curry.
NBA MVP odds: pic.twitter.com/lMq6wiXpHp
— Stank (@HisStankness) October 20, 2022
Williamson is an outstanding and super-efficient scorer, but thus far in his career, his rebounding has been disappointing.
For him to have a real shot at the award, he may have to approach or get into double-digits in that category, and it’s hard to imagine him doing so.
The Pelicans Won’t Win Enough Games
Many are high on the Pelicans’ prospects this season, but the reality is that they’re, at best, a bottom-tier playoff team.
Last year’s Nuggets notwithstanding, the general rule is that MVP awards aren’t given out to teams that win less than 50 games.
In the end, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up about Williamson winning the MVP award.
But that isn’t taking anything away from him, as he is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind player, not to mention an exciting and electrifying one.
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