Willie Green wants to put the ball more in the hands of Zion Williamson

The return to play (and at this level) of Zion Williamson since the start of the season is one of the reasons for satisfaction for Willie Green, who can now use the qualities of the strong winger.

The former Duke resident was quick to reassure skeptics about his fitness, even if he is currently dealing with a again painful right foot. In the figures in any case, Zion Williamson blackens his line of stats, as against Houston with 26 points at 8/9 in shooting, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.

Generate more pick-and-roll situations

The idea is to continue to find opportunities for him to make a difference in the face of adjustments by opposing teams. Willie Green noted one, talking about the possibility of giving him more ball in hand.

“Before, he was given the ball in places where he could dribble and where there was movement around him, relying on him to score or make the right choice. Then there were times when he was going up the ball. It was something he had done before. He sort of played the role of leader for us. By putting screens on him, spacing out the field and letting him play. And we liked what it gave », did he declare. “I think it gives more thickness to our attack. We saw what it was like when he had the ball in hand and tried to take advantage of mismatches in the past. It’s something we have to take advantage of.”

The objective is also to make him play more pick-and-roll in the role of ball carrier, and perhaps less low post play for isolated play.

“When I come out of the screens, it’s like an instant vision. If they get on me, I’ve got BI (Brandon Ingram) right there, or I’ve got CJ who I can throw the ball back to to set a screen. We did a lot of that in my second year in the league. I think the coach incorporates it in the attack, and it allows me to have rhythm”.

One more string to his bow

A situation that he already exploited during his rookie year with JJ Redick, as we can see in this clip, in which it is the back shooter who puts a screen on him. Zion Williamson then attracts the two defenders and has the opportunity to find his teammate alone behind the arc.

It is also a question of taking advantage of the quality of the pass of Zion Williamson, who also continues to progress in this sector, he who has already reached 7 assists in a game three times this season.

“It’s easier for them to double up when I catch the ball in the middle of the key. But if I come off a screen, it’s more difficult for them because I feel like I’m a very good passer. I’ll find my shooters. I trust my teammates to take the shots. Going off screen, finding Brandon two or three times with a quick pass, it opens the game. It’s that little moment of hesitation, when they hesitate to send a two-man strike, that really opens the game for me “he summarized.