The last time we saw Zion Williamsonon an NBA floor, it was January 2 against the Sixers. A meeting he left after a thigh injury. At that time, the Pelicans were playing the leading roles in the Western Conference, notably driven by a very good Zion with 26 points and 7 rebounds on average, more than 60% on shots. A first part of the season of very high level which had allowed him to hold the All-Star Game.
But when he was only due to miss a few weeks, and was getting closer to a return to competition in February, he relapsed and therefore aggravated the initial injury. Without him, New Orleans collapsed, even conceding a series of 10 defeats in a row! The Pelicans still managed to grab a place in the play-in, but were eliminated in front of their home crowd by the Thunder.
“I had serious discussions with him on several occasions” says CJ McCollum. “Not just me, but also Larry Nance Jr. I said to him, ‘You can be as good as anybody, and not everybody can be that good. The best Zion Williamson level is a level that not everyone can achieve”.
It’s up to Zion to decide what he wants to do with his career
The 22-year-old Duke product hasn’t had the NBA career he’s been expecting yet. Since being drafted in 2019, he’s spent more time off the court than on it. With only 29 games played this season, he brings his career total to 114 games played in 4 seasons. His weight has often been mentioned as a major factor regarding his multiple injuries. Some have even questioned his desire and his passion.
“Your ceiling looks like something the NBA has never seen” added CJ McCollum to Zion Williamson. “But it’s up to you to take full advantage of it.” It’s up to you to make the most of it. I can’t want it for you. Your mother can’t want it for you. Your father can’t want it for you. The staff can’t want it for you. So it’s up to you to decide what it will look like. You have to figure out what you want to do with your potential, because it will go as far as you take it.”.
