New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson on Lonzo Ball’s Basketball I.Q

“This shows the I.Q. of Lonzo Ball…”

Zion Williamson breaks down a play that won’t be on the highlight reels, but shows how Lonzo’s instincts can lead to easy buckets.

The New Orleans Pelicans are running a pick-and-roll against the Heat and Lonzo notices Zion Williamson’s man trying to cheat on the play. In the original play Zion is meant to curl off his man and use the down screen set by Derrick Favors.

But Lonzo sees Zion Williamson’s man cheating and gets him the ball early. Zion says:

"“This shows the I.Q. of Lonzo Ball. He saw the defender was playing ahead of the play. So he just made the early pass, which allowed me to go baseline.”"

Heres the video of Zion Williamson breaking it down:

Few people would notice what Lonzo did there, as it looked like Zion Williamson did all of the work. But Lonzo’s ability to see the play before it happened was what opened up that baseline take for Zion.

These are the things that Lonzo does that set him apart from other point guards. His court vision and ability to predict what is going to happen lead to easy hoops for his teammates.

The next play shows how Lonzo can use those smarts off the ball for the New Orleans Pelicans.