This was supposed to be Zion Williamson's season of revenge. He took the New Orleans Pelicans to the playoffs last year after playing in a career-high 72 regular-season games but couldn't make his debut due to injuries yet again. He took several crushing lessons from that campaign, including a beatdown from the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Cup and watching his team swept in the first round from the sidelines, and used it as fuel in the offseason.
Over the summer, he dropped significant weight while rehabbing his injury, unveiling a new slimmer and toner body, reminiscent of his figure at Duke University as a college freshman. But we had seen this before, from Zion and other stars who struggle with their conditioning like Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic. NBA fans have learned to be wary of summer workout videos and offseason body pics.
But Zion kept the weight off and brought his reinvigorated conditioning into the season. Unfortunately, it didn't help him stay healthy, and the Pelicans' season was once again ruined due to injuries, not just to Zion but across the board. Even though he hasn't been nearly as available as he hoped, Zion Williamson got fit over the summer and has remained in shape throughout the 2024-25 NBA season.
Zion Williamson's commitment to maintaining his conditioning shows he's serious about winning
In a season like the one the Pelicans are currently having — marred by injuries, chock-full of terrible losses, and with practically nothing to play for — it's easy for players to lose interest, motivation, and morale. It's the top argument against tanking, one that posits that building a losing culture will never result in a championship, even if it allows a team to accumulate top-tier talent over time.
New Orleans is having one of the toughest seasons a team could possibly have, coming in with legitimate playoff hopes only to have their entire campaign lost just a few weeks into the year due to injuries. Despite that fact, it doesn't seem like Zion Williamson has lost his excitement for the game.
Not only is he putting up career numbers, but he's also proven his commitment to maintaining his conditioning and physicality. According to ESPN's Michael C. Wright, Zion weighed in at 264 pounds earlier this week, the lightest he's been since getting drafted to New Orleans.
The Pelicans are approaching a crossroads with an emerging star in Trey Murphy III and a top draft pick likely headed their way this summer. New Orleans could choose to pivot directions and build around a new franchise cornerstone this offseason. Zion Williamson maintaining his efficacy, effort, and conditioning will go a long way toward showing why he should remain the face of the Pelicans.