Last week, the Pelicans took on water against the Lakers in the semi-finals of the In-Season Tournament and, following this debacle, Zion Williamson had faced criticism regarding his physical condition.
“ He saves himself when he runs » regretted Shaquille O'Neal. “ This is not to clash. It's a lesson from a great interior to another guy who could be a great interior. He saves himself when he runs. I had the same problem. But I thought I was going all out when I was running. »
A revenger's response
Aware of not having properly approached the final phase of the NBA tournament, Zion Williamson has since strived to react on the field, scoring 36 points (13/17 shooting) against the best defense in the league (Minnesota), then achieving a double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds) against Charlotte.
An All-Star response, in two victories, while Jose Alvarado does not fail to step up to defend his young teammate.
“ He is human » remember the Puerto Rican player. “ He heard all the criticism surrounding this match against Los Angeles. One thing about that: we can blame him, but everyone is trying to push him to be great. We obviously appreciate that, but we don't care about anything negative about it. »
A young man who still has to grow up…
Then Jose Alvarado praised the mental strength of Zion Williamson, who does not let criticism get him down.
“ He learned » assures the pocket leader of New Orleans. “ He's still young, but we're behind him, so the rest doesn't matter. Except he hears it, because he is human, we all are. We are all the generation that is on our phone and will see things appear on the screen. But he answers. He's a 23-year-old young man who responds to the whole world, who tells him something he doesn't want to hear. And, like I said, it doesn't matter, we're behind him and we've told him. We've told him what he needs to hear, and the rest I feel is unnecessary. »
With nearly 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on average in 31 minutes, at 58% shooting and 66% throwing, Zion Williamson has not (yet?) regained his All-Star level. For now, however, he remains in good health (21 games out of 26) and he helps the Pelicans to 9th place in the West (15-11), two short games from the Top 2…
“ He is a professional » adds Jose Alvarado. “ If it were me, I don't know how I would have reacted. He's a professional and I don't know how he does it at his age, but he handles things very well. Me, I collapse when I have bad matches and I'm not even a star but a role player. He remains professional, he accepts criticism and he is a good guy, a person who is growing. »
| Zion Williamson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 24 | 28 | 58.3 | 42.9 | 64.0 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 61 | 33 | 61.1 | 29.4 | 69.8 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 29 | 33 | 60.8 | 36.8 | 71.4 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 26.0 |
| 2023-24 | NOP | 21 | 31 | 58.3 | 33.3 | 66.0 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 22.8 |
| Total | 135 | 32 | 60.2 | 34.2 | 68.7 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 6.8 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 25.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
