Griffin speaks out about the Williamson situation

Summer League is cool because it is one of the few times of the year when almost everyone in the NBA world is gathered together in one place. This year, one of those people who is hanging out in Las Vegas is none other than New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin.

And on Wednesday, Griffin spoke about the Pelicans’ controversial superstar forward (you may have heard of a fellow named Zion Williamson). Here is what he had to say:

"“We’re living in a world where everybody is in a fishbowl now,” Griffin said to Oddball Hoops. “Social media is so pervasive, and it’s so far-reaching that what is said about you becomes reality very quickly. Perception [becomes] reality. And I think it has been challenging for several players. I don’t think Zion [Williamson] is any different [in that regard.]”“I think what makes [Williamson] unique is that … if it’s said that [Williamson] put his socks on, people are going to click on that. He is instantaneously clicks. And so what happens is people will, in a really inauthentic way, use his name to link to things that have nothing to do with him.”“And I think what has been important for him is that he just has to build championship habits. And [after that] what is said about you will take care of itself. And I think he is starting to embrace that more and more. I think it is very challenging when you just roll out of bed bigger, stronger, [and] faster than everybody else your whole life to understand that all the people that are telling you, ‘Hey, you are going to need to do these things to have longevity’ are actually telling the truth. And I think that he has realized that now.”"

Overall, Griffin’s comments convey a similar theme to what Williamson himself mentioned the other day to Gilbert Arenas. They both feel that social media has negatively warped the perception of Williamson. But they also concede that he has been at fault to some degree and is not taking the proper steps necessary to staying healthy more often than he has in the past.

Since he entered the NBA, the early portion of Williamson’s career has been marred by injuries. In his first four seasons, he’s only appeared in 114 of the 308  (37%) regular season contests he’s been eligible to participate in. He’s also missed all nine of the play-in/playoff games his team has played in during his tenure with the Pelicans.

Let’s see if Williamson can finally shift the narrative this season.