[jwplayer Mo9XIiob]
Zion Williamson experienced quite a rookie season with the New Orleans Pelicans, from missing over half of the year due to knee surgery to navigating through the uncertainty of playing during a pandemic. Now, with one year under his belt, Williamson is just hoping to have some fun again.
The former No. 1 overall pick spoke with members of the media on Wednesday ahead of the start of training camp and said he is in a great position, both mentally and physically. Williamson dealt with constant questions surrounding his health and availability last season but is seemingly healthy and ready to return to the player many witnessed dominate at Duke.
“What I’m looking forward to is showing the world me and being myself, going out there and having fun,” Williamson said. “Showing my competitive nature and trying to win. I just want to show the world my love and compassion and competitive spirit for the game.”
Throughout his rookie campaign, Williamson learned quite a bit about the NBA and adversity. He suffered several setbacks to begin his career and his much-anticipated debut was eventually pushed back several months to Jan. 22. Even when he played, he often was faced with a minute count and didn’t look completely comfortable at times.
The top picks in the draft are constantly under the microscope and that was certainly true of Williamson. The obstacles Williamson faced over the season made it hard to truly enjoy the process and he acknowledged that he would approach his second season with the Pelicans in a different manner than last year.
Over the summer and the offseason, I think I’ve truly come to understand a lot more and that is live moment by moment. Last year, so much happened and I feel like it all happened at once and there were so many directions I had to look and things I had to do that I couldn’t live in the moment. I think this year, I have a better understanding of it and will be living in the moment because I feel like when I live in the moment, I can cherish it a lot more. It allows me to have fun and be who I am.
Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy said this week that Williamson will enter the 2020-21 season with no restrictions in training camp. Williamson spent much of the truncated offseason period working out with his stepfather while staying close to his family during the coronavirus pandemic and he appeared to be in good spirits ahead of the season.
Williamson said there were several elements of his game he was unable to show off last season and will be looking to do so this season. Van Gundy will be looking to utilize Williamson this season more as a slasher and playmaker and that may very well result in an improved sophomore year with the Pelicans.
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