Zion Williamson recently faced a bit of backlash when he admitted that he was physically fit but not ready to return. It didn’t help that the New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in tournament right after that.
Skip Bayless reported that the New Orleans Pelicans front office and players had issues with Zion in the aftermath. And while the players’ part in it was denied by Larry Nance Jr., GM David Griffin’s recent words will put some pressure on Zion.
“I think a big part is on him,” Griffin said, as per NOLA. “I think there is a lot he can do better. And he would, I think, tell you that. I think we need to do a better job examining the whole situation top to bottom a little bit better.”
He elaborated on what Zion Williamson had said about his physical condition, adding, “He makes the one misstatement about, ‘Physically, I’m fine.’ Had I been here, I would have clarified it immediately. The thing is when you’re going through a rehab process and a player does not report, ‘I’m very comfortable and confident in this movement,’ you don’t go to the next movement.”
Zion Williamson played just 29 games this season after having missed the entirety of last season with a foot injury. Patience is wearing thin for a lot of fans, and there have been discussions about the Pelicans potentially moving on from him. And if the organization isn’t happy with him either, it doesn’t bode well for the future.
Zion Williamson Is In A Weird Situation
When Zion Williamson does play, he is an All-Star. Even this season, he put up 26 points per game and had the Pelicans competing at the top of the Western Conference when he was on the floor. But the good vibe around him has disappeared, with CJ McCollum also seemingly taking shots at his teammate recently.
Stephen Jackson was among those that have told Williamson that he needs to play more if he wants the respect of the people around him, and Kendrick Perkins has gone out and called for him to be traded. Zion is still only 22 years old, though, and he can turn it around if he finds a way to get in the right shape for next season.
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