The New Orleans Pelicans have been busy this offseason, particularly after parting ways with Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. Now, with August approaching, the team faces a pressing question: Who will be their new center of attention from now on, will it be Zion Williamson? Will he be Draymond Green next?
Duke’s Zion Williamson has been utilized as a small-ball center, and according to Kendrick Perkins, this strategy may help the youngster to blossom. Recently, in ESPN NBA Today, Perkins being brutally honest went further and said that Zion Williamson could become a defensive monster like Draymond Green.
“I actually like Zion at the five positions. I think it helps the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion needs space to operate. If you’re asking me: They questioned if Zion Williamson can be a Draymond Green defensively. I do think so Can Zion be a top-five shot blocker in the [NBA] with that athleticism? I do believe that,” said Perkins.
“If you’re asking me: Can Zion [Williamson] be a Draymond Green defensively? I believe he can… Can Zion be a top 5 shot blocker in the [NBA] with that athleticism? I believe that he can… I actually like it with Zion playing the 5.”
—Kendrick Perkinspic.twitter.com/lnVAicu9zd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 1, 2024
The Defensive Challenge
Draymond Green is revered for his great generation defensive ability and the same attribute demands other faculties like quickness, feel, positioning, and a comprehension of the game. Still, Williamson has the athletic ability; mimicking Green’s defense will be extremely difficult, however.
If the Pelicans stand any chance in the extremely competitive NBA’s Western Conference, Williamson may have to adopt a similar part to what Green prescribes. Nonetheless, it could require an exceptional exercise of the team’s defensive prowess in addition to its focal point who will also be tasked with scoring, which is quite challenging.
Pelicans’ Center Dilemma
At the moment, New Orleans Sar premium big men are unidentified persons such as Yves Missi the backup Daniel Theis, and a rather tender rookie Trey Jemison. Star centers of the opposition such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, and Karl Antony Towns amongst others, are some of the prospects the Pelicans may require a more experienced center to deftly handle.
Will Zion Rise to the Occasion?
Expecting Williamson to replicate Green’s defensive influence while also shouldering a significant scoring burden is ambitious. While he has the potential to emerge as an exceptional defender, it remains to be seen if he can juggle these responsibilities.
The Pelicans may still seek a trade for an established center, considering the formidable competition in the future. At present, all attention will be on Williamson to determine if he can meet the challenge and develop into the defensive force that the Pelicans require.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been busy this offseason, particularly after parting ways with Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. Now, with August approaching, the team faces a pressing question: Who will be their new center of attention from now on, will it be Zion Williamson? Will he be Draymond Green next?
Duke’s Zion Williamson has been utilized as a small-ball center, and according to Kendrick Perkins, this strategy may help the youngster to blossom. Recently, in ESPN NBA Today, Perkins being brutally honest went further and said that Zion Williamson could become a defensive monster like Draymond Green.
“I actually like Zion at the five positions. I think it helps the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion needs space to operate. If you’re asking me: They questioned if Zion Williamson can be a Draymond Green defensively. I do think so Can Zion be a top-five shot blocker in the [NBA] with that athleticism? I do believe that,” said Perkins.
“If you’re asking me: Can Zion [Williamson] be a Draymond Green defensively? I believe he can… Can Zion be a top 5 shot blocker in the [NBA] with that athleticism? I believe that he can… I actually like it with Zion playing the 5.”
—Kendrick Perkinspic.twitter.com/lnVAicu9zd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 1, 2024
The Defensive Challenge
Draymond Green is revered for his great generation defensive ability and the same attribute demands other faculties like quickness, feel, positioning, and a comprehension of the game. Still, Williamson has the athletic ability; mimicking Green’s defense will be extremely difficult, however.
If the Pelicans stand any chance in the extremely competitive NBA’s Western Conference, Williamson may have to adopt a similar part to what Green prescribes. Nonetheless, it could require an exceptional exercise of the team’s defensive prowess in addition to its focal point who will also be tasked with scoring, which is quite challenging.
Pelicans’ Center Dilemma
At the moment, New Orleans Sar premium big men are unidentified persons such as Yves Missi the backup Daniel Theis, and a rather tender rookie Trey Jemison. Star centers of the opposition such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, and Karl Antony Towns amongst others, are some of the prospects the Pelicans may require a more experienced center to deftly handle.
Will Zion Rise to the Occasion?
Expecting Williamson to replicate Green’s defensive influence while also shouldering a significant scoring burden is ambitious. While he has the potential to emerge as an exceptional defender, it remains to be seen if he can juggle these responsibilities.
The Pelicans may still seek a trade for an established center, considering the formidable competition in the future. At present, all attention will be on Williamson to determine if he can meet the challenge and develop into the defensive force that the Pelicans require.
