“I’m doing my best to embrace it,” Zion Williamson acknowledges about the Pelicans’ system after the team’s fifth consecutive loss.
The New Orleans Pelicans are facing a rough patch, having lost five games in a row after an initial 4-1 start to the season. Their latest setback was a 136-124 defeat against the Dallas Mavericks, where the Pelicans trailed by as much as 29 points. Despite contributing 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, Zion Williamson openly discussed his role during this challenging stretch.
Williamson referred to a team meeting last year, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in fully embracing the team’s program. Expressing the difficulty of the current situation, he mentioned taking a bit of a back seat and placing trust in the process, emphasizing his commitment to fully engage.
This isn’t the first time Williamson has addressed adjusting to a different role this season. Following a loss to the Rockets the previous Friday, he discussed the shift, noting a more facilitative role last year and the current need to step back and let teammates find their rhythm.
Under third-year head coach Willie Green, the Pelicans are playing at a faster pace this season, currently ranking 10th in the league compared to last year’s 16th. Emphasizing ball movement, the team aims to move away from individual dominance by players like CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram.
Despite efforts to implement a new system, the Pelicans have struggled on both ends of the court, unable to score or defend effectively. Notably, the absence of McCollum, recovering from a collapsed lung, and Jones, sidelined with a bruised right fibula, has impacted the team’s performance. Their absence has contributed to the Pelicans having the fifth-worst offense and the fourth-worst defense in the league since their injuries.
For Williamson, despite maintaining a similar shot attempts average to last season before his injury, he is posting a career-low 21.6 points on 51.5% shooting from the field. While respectable for most players, this represents a decline from his previous high of 27 points on 61.1% shooting.
While Williamson’s frustration with the accumulating losses is understandable, publicly expressing difficulty in embracing the Pelicans’ system may pose challenges for team morale. Whether a momentary expression of frustration or genuine concern about offensive usage, it raises questions about coach Willie Green’s job security if the team fails to reverse its fortunes. Green has faced challenges with injuries to key players, including Williamson and Ingram, but dissatisfaction from the franchise star could add pressure if improvements aren’t seen soon.
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