[jwplayer 6YfAirnQ]
On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans participated in their first team practice since arriving this week at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
After first arriving on Wednesday, the team immediately went into quarantine and the players on the roster needed to return two negative coronavirus tests at least 24 hours apart before being cleared to practice. The practice on Friday marked the first time the team was permitted to participate as a whole unit since the season shut down in March.
The moment gave the Pelicans, and the rest of the 21 teams participating in the season restart, an opportunity to all be together in the same venue. No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson said afterward that he was happy to be around his teammates again and that he felt safe in the bubble.
It feels good to be out here with my teammates. We’re in a safe environment. It’s good to be in one environment, the whole team and coaches. It was just good energy today. … Traveling with the team was great again, it brought back old memories, even though we had to have our social distancing but now that we finished our quarantine, it’s good energy and everyone is back together.
Of course, Williamson returned to the Pelicans practice facility in visibly better shape. He said that he worked out every day with his stepfather and the two went back to “square one” in his training and worked a lot on his fundamental skills.
After his work in the weight room, and on the court, Williamson said he will be returning with a few new tools in his bag but he didn’t elaborate further than that. Needless to say, the basketball world will all be tuned in on July 30 to see what Williamson brings to the floor.
[lawrence-related id=19566,19496,19394]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]