Zion Williamson absence looms large over 1-6 start for Pelicans

Still awaiting the debut of the highly-anticipated prospect, Zion Williamson will deliver a much-needed boom for the Pelicans on both ends of the floor.

No one in New Orleans really felt a 1-6 opening run was in the fold for the Pelicans, but after a 125-135 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the team’s start is on a continuing downward spiral. However, the return of Zion Williamson could awaken this team from their early-season slumber.

Despite an incredibly impressive start from Brandon Ingram, the team has lacked rhythm and consistency across the board. The teams’ veterans have underperformed in particular, doing nothing to help a young team seeking identity.

Tonight against Brooklyn, the Pelicans went twelve deep, even with Nicolò Melli catching a surprise DNP after checking in with the starting five just a few games ago.

So far, the team looks to the tune of a squad who had twelve-of-eighteen faces coming in as new members to start camp. The team lacks cohesion the projected star in Zion Williamson has the potential to bring to the franchise.

Seemingly, the New Orlean pelicans would really benefit from the boost for a player who plays with the edge Williamson has proven to add throughout his two years in the limelight. At Duke, he proved an early star, winning the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year.

Adding energy on offense and defense with his incredible athleticism, Zion is going to help this team clean up their slow start. Clearly, there’s fear that the team won’t be able to keep themselves high enough afloat to come close to Western Conference Playoff contention when Williamson returns.

Alvin Gentry’s up-tempo offensive system has long been an exciting scheme fit for Zion Williamson. The rookie moves across the floor with tremendous speed, so when paired with his daunting size it makes for quite the defensive nightmare in transition.

The team is playing at a slower pace than Gentry might hope. To start the year, they’ve had a hard time creating the transition opportunities the fifth-year head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans would usually hope to fit for the design of his offense.

In the preseason, Williamson looked like one of the very best players in the entire league. He was averaging 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 71.4% from the floor.

Zion made his presence felt until going down before the team’s season opener with a torn meniscus in his right knee, much to the dismay of basketball fans around the world.

Eventually, the slow-starting Jrue Holiday will be able to find a way to play off of Zion Williamson, which might put him back in his comfort zone. For many years next to Anthony Davis, Holiday thrived playing alongside a creative, roving big who could pass and score around the rim. Both Davis and Williamson possess elite footwork and playmaking ability.

While it still seems like the team will have to wait at least a month for the debut of Zion Williamson, the rookie’s impact should have immediate returns for a team in desperate need of a boost.