Pick-and-Roll Ensures Zion Williamson Better Stats With New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans should include Zion Williamson in the initial pick and roll actions as much as possible.

The New Orleans Pelicans should include Zion Williamson in the initial pick and roll, including letting him run the point. Zion Williamson is always exciting with the ball in his hands, even standing around. The New Orleans Pelicans want him involved in the action as much as possible.

This action, whether as the second option or as the initiator of the pick and roll, will test Zion’s handling abilities as well as his passing vision. Having the ball in Zion’s forceful hands will also lead to more free throw opportunities.

Acting as the point guard allows Zion to keep the ball with momentum going forward. Not many can slow down his forceful drives. If Zion catches the ball on the move, he will have to see the shooter in the corner on that first dribble just as much as he sees another highlight dunk.

In college, Williamson got to the line for 6.2 free-throw attempts per game, making 3.9. His 64% success rate can flirt with 70% very soon. With more space than ever and at least keeping the status quo on attempts, Zion’s first step should lead to five points per game instead of his college four.

Playing around the same amount of minutes, Williamson’s ability to add easy free throws and open three-pointers will help boost his scoring average. Zion’s 22.6 points per game in college is a benchmark for his rookie season. Eclipsing 23 points per game would almost guarantee he win Rookie of the Year while leading other All-Rookie team awards.

And it all starts with a play that was tough to run at Duke. Due to the compressed paint space, the pick and roll options left Zion with limited opportunities to show his NBA ready abilities. Zion did not have his game stifled as much as Ben Simmons but the clogged paints and zone defenses kept much of Zion’s talent at bay through scheme alone.

Zion could also up his assist numbers acting as the pick and roll ball handler. Jrue wants to play off the ball more, Derrick Favors has the range, and J.J. Redick creates space as a respected, historical great shooter.

Why not let Zion show off his handles? He can drive just as well as Lonzo Ball, has the passing vision, and it not scared of contact leading to the charity stripe. Williamson had 2.1 assists per game last season, with a 14.9% assist rate when he had the ball. With better shooters and another rim-protecting finisher on the floor, Zion can be unleashed into space he has never seen before.

Williamson will improve on his 2.4 turnovers per contest, which was a problem. Zion turns the ball over 12.8 times per 100 possessions all while 28.6% of his teams’ possessions had him handle the ball. Still a teenager, Zion will grow into the role as he grows his NBA game. It would be interesting television though perhaps he will need to begin learning from the inside out in his rookie season.