New Orleans Pelicans Summer League: Expected Zion Williamson match-ups
Zion Williamson will finally suit up in a New Orleans Pelicans jersey during Las Vegas NBA Summer League action. The new challenges should acclimate him well enough before departing for Team USA duty. Who will he play against in these initial match-ups?
The New Orleans Pelicans tip off their Las Vegas NBA Summer League schedule July 5 against the New York Knicks. The ESPN ads all bill the game as a showdown event between Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett.
Those two are used to playing against each other during Duke University practices. The rest of the summer competition will be mostly unfamiliar and un-scouted competition. It will be the toughest two weeks Williamson has ever experienced on a basketball court until he joins Team USA in August.
Most teams at NBA Summer League are unfamiliar with their teammates, much less the competition. Rookies and undrafted free agents are all vying for the spotlight. Teams are focused only on teaching their system and creating realistic expectations for each player’s development.
Zion Williamson is no different. Social media highlight junkies can expect the world from Zion, and they’ll mostly get the dunks that reward their interests. The New Orleans Pelicans’ more pragmatic types need to start setting realistic expectations.
Setting expectations for Zion Williamson’s summer league adventure starts with gauging his competition. The New Orleans Pelicans have four group games, with a least one knockout round game expected. Any more court time past that should be managed wisely.
The New Orleans Pelicans already have the past two NBA Summer League MVPs on the roster, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball. So many might expect Williamson to at least win the MVP award.
The award looks nice on a mantle, sure. Zion Williamson has a full case of individual awards after his Duke season. However, he might not be asked to be a walking highlight reel in Las Vegas. The developmental time is essential; Williamson does not need to practice dunking before Team USA camp.
Williamson is one of the most well rounded prospects coming into the NBA in the past two decades. Still, he could use a more consistent outside shot. His defensive savvy around screens will need to improve. His offensive guile could use refining.
Only one NBA team still commands Box-And-One zone defenses. Zion is done playing the Syracuse’s of the world. Enes Kanter might have been heavy on the hyperbole, but there is some reason to be skeptical. Players who skate by on pure athletic dominance can hit a wall against true professionals.