Pelica Debrief
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Reasons New Orleans Pelicans fans should temper Zion Williamson knee concerns

By Willie Lutz

METAIRIE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans works out during an all access practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana on October 16, 2019. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans works out during an all access practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana on October 16, 2019. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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METAIRIE, LA – OCTOBER 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans smiles during an all access practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana on October 16, 2019. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LA – OCTOBER 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans smiles during an all access practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana on October 16, 2019. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Aaron Nelson is pretty much the best sports trainer in the industry.

As Zion recovers from his injury, not only is he going to be working with an NBA medical team but the very best professional training staff in the league.

When Executive VP of Basketball operations David Griffin came to the New Orleans Pelicans, he didn’t just bring a new roster, he changed the culture of the entire organization. Part of that culture change included revamping a previously infamous basketball training staff.

Coming to the Pelicans after 26 years with the Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans hired Vice President of Player Development and Performance Aaron Nelson to revamp the organization’s entire training regimen and facility.

Showcased by ESPN 30 for 30, Nelson and his Suns’ staff were the subjects of a film highlighting their excellence as a collective, with Nelson of course in the leading role.

Nelson, who was the head athletic trainer in Phoenix, is credited with extending the careers of Steve Nash, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O’Neal, all of whom have made the leap into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The team is clearly proceeding with extreme caution, as knees are delicate and Zion Williamson is such a promising young player.

In comments before yesterday’s game in Toronto, Griffin told reporters, “We’re going to be very cautious, as we would be with anyone. This is a marathon; it’s not a sprint.”

Over the next serving of weeks, Zion is going to be working with one of the best trainers not only in the entire sport but in the entire sports medicine field to get his knee back in shape.

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