New Orleans Pelicans VP David Griffin has high hopes for Zion Williamson ahead of the next NBA season. Williamson couldn’t display all his power last season and now he’s tipped to show different things in his second campaign in the league.
The still rookie sensation knows he failed to show all the things he can do on the court last season and is very motivated ahead of the 2020/21 NBA campaign. Griffin, as a matter of fact, is motivated, too, warning everybody that the Zion we’re about to see will be different and is going to play at a higher level.
During a recent press conference, Griffin explained that the best of Williamson was yet to come and once he’s healthy again, the real Zion will flourish.
“Once he gets to the point where he’s healthy enough to play his game, play with the ball more, play more as a slasher and less as a post-up presence, I think you’re going to see the real Zion come to the floor,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Griffin said, per ESPN.
Moreover, he revealed that the team doesn’t see Williamson as a big, a power forward or center. In fact, they see Zion as a small forward and their plan is to use him at that position once he’s fully healthy. Griffin explained that that was a reason why they landed Steven Adams from the New Orleans Pelicans.
“A big part of the reason is because Steven is such an elite screen setter, he can do that on-and-off the ball. Zion can be used as a cutter away from the ball. He can be used as a ball-handler,” Griffin said. “People I think unfairly look at him as a big and being limited to being a 4 or 5.
“When we drafted Zion, the thing that excited us the most was the positionless nature of his game. We really very much envision a time where Zion is going to be playing the 3 and defending the 3 and he’s going to be on the handle.”
Zion is ready to face the new season with the Pels, who made some interesting moves in the offseason. He became the longest-tenured player on the roster and the responsibility will be big for him. Williamson is ready, the team is ready, and the league better be, too, as this guy is ready to show all his power.
