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Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif
Once again, Zion Williamson has had a season marked by his unavailability. Add to this recurring controversies in his intimate life, and you have a player who is far from living up to expectations. The Pelicans have made a big decision concerning him.
When he arrived in the NBA in 2019, Zion Williamson was considered by many experts as the heir to LeBron James, as the player who would become the face of the league thanks to his extraordinary athletic qualities. It has to be said that, from his high school days onwards, the inside man filled the halls with his super-powerful dunks and high-altitude counters.
The only concern was whether his body would hold up over an 82-game season… 6 years later, the answer is pretty clear: no. Selected by New Orleans with high expectations, Zion has had more seasons under the 30-appearance mark than over it. And to make matters worse, he seems to have trouble with the covetousness that comes with the life of an NBA star.
Zion Williamson to stay with Pelicans
In his spare time – and it’s important because of his physical ailments – the Pelicans’ no.1 clearly enjoys being in the company of different women, which has resulted in several polemics. In short, for all these reasons, his future in Louisiana was questioned at length at the end of another disappointing year. Joe Dumars, the franchise’s head of basketball operations, set the record straight.
I’ve had excellent discussions with Zion. We ate together a few times, watched playoff games. We did everything. We’ve had very honest, very deep conversations. We’re going to move forward with him. He’s going to continue to be the center of attention in the franchise for years to come. I didn’t send him to the lottery for nothing. I want him to focus on the responsibilities that come with being a team’s best player.
Despite injuries, despite extra-sports controversies, despite his inability to carry the Pelicans athletically, Zion Williamson remains the cornerstone of the project. Joe Dumars, Pistons legend and two-time NBA champion, spent long hours with his inside man to make sure he understood his responsibilities and was ready to reach his full potential.
It remains to be seen whether this statement reflects the reality of the situation, or whether it comes simply to reassure the former No.1 draft pick after negotiations with other franchises failed. Either way, Zion is now a veteran in the league, and he’s going to have to put in performances worthy of that status. The playoffs shouldn’t be a goal, but a necessity.
