Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: Why the team will go over the Vegas win total

By Steven Balkos

METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, 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
METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, 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 /
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Zion Williamson – The Poster Child

While the last thing most Pelicans fans were expecting on Draft Lottery night was to win the prized number one overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, that is exactly what happened, and in doing so the Pelicans netted an asset that can arguably be looked at as a bigger piece for this franchise than former star Anthony Davis. The former McDonald’s All-American, John R. Wooden Award Winner for Nation’s Most Outstanding Men’s Player, and number one overall pick out of Duke University is now the face of the franchise and will have David Griffin looking to build around him as a centerpiece of the organization for years to come. While best friend and roommate at Duke, RJ Barrett, went third overall to the Knicks, separating the two companions, Zion Williamson was beyond excited to feel the love and passion of the market of New Orleans.

At age 18, the freshman averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists on a mind-boggling 68 percent shooting from the field in 30 minutes per game. While Zion’s efficiency was something we rarely see on the college stage, his 64 percent from the free-throw line will be something he will look to improve on in his rookie campaign. The biggest question front office executives, scouts and analysts have about Zion is whether he can keep his weight down and transfer his dominance at the college level to the NBA platform. Considering Zion would be the second heaviest player in the NBA only behind Mavs’ center Boban Marjanovic, the size and strength factor of the NBA shouldn’t be a huge adjustment for Zion. Zion has made a living off of using his body and brute strength to get into the paint and create offensively this way as seen by his 68 percent field goal possible, especially when rebounding the basketball and pushing in transition, something that Alvin Gentry has loved to do since his time in both Phoenix and Golden State. Demanding such high physical defense in order to be stopped will fair well for Zion in the NBA in terms of having more opportunity to find open teammates, capable of knocking down open threes and shots around the rim. Also having veteran leaders such as J.J. Redick, Derrick Favors, Jrue Holiday to help ease the workload for the rookie Forward will obviously be beneficial over the course of the season. On the flip side, having a young, youthful group who will grow alongside Zion will also be beneficial for his growth and ability to adapt to everything the league has to offer.

Adjusting to a new schedule, being on the road almost every day and the physical demands the NBA requires will be a growing process for Zion, but if the newly signed Jordan Athlete can live up to the hype and deliver what everyone expects to be a Rookie of the Year season, there’s no ceiling on this Pelicans team.

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