Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Zion Williamson’s Starting 5 Skill Set Developments: Summer League Edition

By Christopher Dodson

Zion Williamson (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Zion Williamson (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 6: Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 6, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Alvin Gentry will want the New Orleans Pelicans to get out in transition quickly. Zion Williamson’s ability to handle the ball will dictate how fast the team can push the pace.

The New Orleans Pelicans will play quickly as long as Alvin Gentry has the title of head coach. Zion Williamson will be the featured star in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. In order for that equation to add up to playoff appearances, Williamson must be able to lead the break.

The Pelicans need shooters to surround Williamson, and guards capable of protecting the ball. Without a proper initiator on offense, too many possession go wayward. Losing opportunities to sloppy turnovers is a quick way to lose games.

Skipping the transfer of custody of the ball cuts down on turnovers. Zion will be causing chaos on defense. His ability to swipe steals, grabbing boards and block shots will put him in the middle of the action. The more he has the ball in open play, the better he will adjust to the pace of the NBA game.

Williamson pushing the pace up the court as a lead ball-handler would attract all the opposition’s attention. Anytime he is rumbling free to the rim, the opposition will send help defense or suffer the resulting highlight dunk by Zion.

Coach K trusted Zion to run the break at Duke. Can Williamson earn Alvin Gentry, Lonzo Ball, and Jrue Holiday’s trust this summer? He needs to average less than one turnover in transition per game to fully gain their confidence.

According to a recent interview with Jim Eichenhofer, Zion is looking forward to pushing the pace.

"“I’m very excited, because whoever gets the ball, push it. It just creates open space for everybody to go to work. I think everybody loves it, and we’re ready to just start playing (in games).”"

Inpatient and hopeful passes might have looked great against college competition. Against NBA talent, those long passes look like turnovers leading to overwhelming fast breaks coming back at the Pelicans basket.

That is not the look Williamson is going for in Las Vegas. Desperation is not a good look, even down on Freemont Street.

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