The New Orleans Pelicans will start the regular season without the services of Zion Williamson and there is no timeline for his return.
This news has put a massive damper on the Pels’ season, as fans are already starting to wonder if the Pelicans are ever going to catch a break.
The injury has also raised some questions about Zion Williamson’s offseason approach and whether the team needs to be more hands-on with his training.
Unfortunately, the October schedule is not going to wait for the Pelicans, as they will play a flurry of games to start the season, which could put them in a big hole without their star.
There hasn’t been much positivity around the team online, which is not the way any fanbase wants to start a season.
Let’s face it, there aren’t really any positives to Zion Williamson being out, but I am going to put on my most optimistic hat and try to look at the bright side anyway.
New Orleans Pelicans: Pels can build confidence with Zion Williamson out
The young Pelicans are going to have to step up with Zion out and learn how to play without their best player and offensive weapon.
The offense revolved around Zion last season, so without him, there are going to be more shots to go around, which will give the young guys a chance to get into a rhythm early and build some confidence.
Injuries to a star player can rally the troops, so I am hoping that Zion’s teammates use their expanded opportunities to find their role in the offense without Zion and start to build confidence for his return.
If the New Orleans Pelicans can just stay afloat for a few weeks with Zion out, then they will be a more confident team when he returns and can really start to take off from there.
The pessimist in me thinks they will start this season in a big hole, but the optimist says that if they don’t, it will be a huge confidence boost to a young team.
New Orleans Pelicans: With Zion Williamson out, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas will develop chemistry
Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas will be the focal points of the Pelicans’ offense with Zion Williamson on the bench.
This will give Ingram a chance to be more of a primary ball handler and facilitator in the offense and to develop a two-man game with Valanciunas which could be a weapon all season.
Both guys shoot the ball well from the mid-range, so they are going to be tough to stop in the pick-and-roll. Ingram ran this play effectively with Steven Adams, who can’t shoot at all, so he should be even better with Valanciunas, who is more of an offensive threat.
Hopefully the Pelicans won’t rely on the BI/JV two-man game too much and that there is better ball movement without Zion, but this is a really good opportunity for the two to start developing chemistry.
The Pelicans can still have a dynamic offense if they play through Ingram and Valanciunas, keep the ball moving and get everyone involved.
New Orleans Pelicans: There are still plenty of players to be excited about
The Pelicans have a load of young talent, and without Zion on the floor, they are going to get a chance to show what they can do.
Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones impressed in the Summer League and preseason and look to be ready to make an impact right away.
I am also excited about the development of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who looks ready to have a breakout season, as well as Jaxson Hayes, who can take this opportunity to get some minutes at power forward and show his improved shot.
The Pels can run young, fast and small lineups at times to try and take advantage of their athleticism and speed and will get to experiment with small-ball groups that will be a real weapon once Zion returns.
Everyone is going to have to step up and it will be a good test to see how some of these young guys handle expanded and new roles.
It has been a rough couple of days for the New Orleans Pelicans, but it’s far too early to give up on the season and there are still plenty of reasons for optimism.