New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson Imposing His Will in Practice

Zion Williamson hinted there would be new additions to his game, but in the first New Orleans Pelicans’ practice, it was the same old domination.

The first practices for the New Orleans Pelicans have begun and Zion Williamson picked right up where he left off: dominating.

As team videos are released, fans are getting a glimpse inside the bubble, as well as seeing what the players look like after emerging from four months of lockdown.

The hype out of the New Orleans Pelicans’ camp has revolved around lost weight, added muscle and Zion Williamson’s improved shooting.

But in the first practice video, Zion was back to basics, imposing his will on his teammates and dominating them physically.

Zion Williamson shows plenty in first New Orleans Pelicans’ practice video.

Zion moves through Jaxson Hayes and E’Twaun Moore like they are not even there. Hayes looked especially helpless against the slimmer Zion, who did a good job of using his body to shield the block attempt of the much-taller Hayes.

Jaxson Hayes may be a dynamic shot blocker at times, but his footwork needs improvement.

It was also good to see Zion kick out of the post for an open Josh Hart three-pointer after nearly the entire defense collapsed into the paint.

Zion is going to get doubled nearly every time he touches the ball in the post, so his passing will be important.

At the end of the video we see the New Orleans Pelicans doing something they need to do more often, which is the dribble handoff pick-and-roll with Zion and Lonzo.

Lonzo was able to thread the needle to the rolling Zion and once Zion gets rolling he’s nearly impossible to stop from getting to the hoop.

There is a lot to like from this first practice video and if it is any indication, fans are in for a treat when Zion Williamson takes the floor for the New Orleans Pelicans.