Victim of a hamstring tear on January 2, Zion Williamson is slowly approaching a return, as he said on Monday, on the eve of the entry into the running of the Pelicans in “play-in” against OKC.
At present, the problem would be more related to the mental aspect than the physical one, as the main interested party explained to the media.
” It’s frustrating. I won’t lie to you. It is very frustrating. Not being able to play sucks. But I want to say that things have improved”he first explained. “Physically I’m fine, now it’s just a question of when I feel like Zion. I know the atmosphere in which I will enter, based on the experience of the playoffs. Now it’s about when I’ll feel like Zion.”
Still hesitant on certain moves
Beyond the fact of finding the grounds, the important thing for him seems above all to have the certainty of being able to evolve 100% without apprehension, but also of not returning to weigh down the dynamics of the team in a particular context. Inevitably, his return would involve considerable changes in the collective of Willie Green.
“When I make certain movements, I hesitate. Sometimes there is hesitation, sometimes not. I understand the importance of the upcoming games and I don’t want to waver or do anything that could harm my team.”.
Like last year, when he had a white season, Zion Williamson also said he was touched by the criticism that accompanied the duration of his recovery, which is now nearly three and a half months …
” It’s difficult. I can not lie. I just want to play basketball. I want to play the sport that I love. But in reality, whether I’m looking at my phone or watching TV, I can’t escape what the world thinks, people’s opinions. So it’s frustrating (…). For those who think I just want to sit on the sidelines, I don’t know why they think that, but no, it sucks. I want to play basketball for real”.
What is certain is that he will not participate in the play-in, whether it is tonight’s game or the next one in the event of a victory. As for a possible return against the Nuggets for the first round of the playoffs? “If I feel Zion, I will be on the field”, did he conclude.
| Zion Williamson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 114 | 32 | 60.5 | 34.3 | 69.1 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 7.0 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 25.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
