New Orleans Pelicans: Breaking down Zion Williamson’s defense
New Orleans Pelicans: Where Zion Williamson can improve on defense
Screens
Although Williamson is a middling post defender, post-ups are not in vogue across the NBA. Having him defend down low is a much better option than having him guard on the perimeter.
Williamson spent most possessions guarding the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Juancho Hernangomez, and Danilo Gallinari. Although the six forwards have a smattering of different skills, Williamson did not fare well defensively—especially when he had to chase them or move with them. Anthony shot 6-17 when guarded by Williamson, but it is important to note that many of these possessions were jabstep jumpers or standstill threes in which Williamson didn’t have much of a say in deciding the shots’ outcomes.
Love, James, Kuzma, Hernangomez, and Gallinari shot a combined 57 percent from the field when guarded by Williamson. It’s plausible to argue that James can and will score on anyone, but I don’t think the same can be said for the rest of the names on that list.
Williamson found chasing his defensive appointment on the perimeter difficult. Time and time again, he would die on screens and give up decent looks from three, even if those shots didn’t always go in. Despite his mack truck frame, Williamson was not adept at getting over screens, a problem which is amplified when facing mobile forwards who can shoot on the move like Gallinari or Love.
Opposing teams, such as the Sacramento Kings, eventually realized this and exploited Williamson’s weakness. Here, Nemanja Bjelica runs off a screen from Richaun Holmes, Williamson gets caught on the pick for a solid second, and Bjelica drains the triple. The Kings went back to the exact same play just moments after and Bjelica got another wide open look.
“Man, it’s hard to guard screens in the NBA,” this year’s number one pick Anthony Edwards said recently. “Them dudes big. Them dudes setting them screens, they be big. Once I watch enough film on that, it’ll become easy for me because I’m pretty big also.”
Hopefully, Williamson has realized that, as well—especially because there are times when he’s getting done on screens set by the likes of Buddy Hield and Kemba Walker.
Williamson also has to improve his pick-and-roll defense, something perfectly normal for a rookie in the NBA.
He needs to learn to navigate screen situations much better and position himself in a way where he can contain the ballhandler while not giving up passes to the roller or so he can backpedal to the screener.
This responsibility should not fall only on Williamson’s shoulders, however, as his teammates can do much better to help him out.