The New Orleans Pelicans are back where they were last season: winless through three games and searching for answers. For years, the assumed answer to many of those problems has been a healthy Zion Williamson. This season, Z has been healthy and hasn't even gotten off to a bad start. To start the season, Z has averaged 20.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three on six total attempts.
From a numbers standpoint, that stat line indicates a strong start, especially on the defensive end. Zion has really bought into disrupting passing lanes and making second-effort plays as a rim protector, which is something many fans believed he’s had the tools for his entire career.
That said, the version of Z we’ve seen so far this season doesn’t project as a No. 1 option and seriously limits this group's ceiling, and that’s both because of things he can control and things out of his control.
The Pelicans aren't maximizing Zion, but he isn't helping himself either
As a scorer, Zion has remained a nearly unstoppable force downhill to the rim, but his ability to convert at the rim hasn’t been as flawless as you’d want. This season, on 18 attempts, Z is shooting 66.7 percent at the rim. However, I can’t fault Zion solely for that figure because the Pelicans' half-court offense is extremely predictable, and they still lack the floor-spacing talent needed to open up consistent driving lanes.
Beyond his rim finishing, his jumper has improved. Despite not hitting a three since the season opener, when he shot 2-of-4 from deep, his willingness to shoot from the perimeter and in the midrange shows a desire to diversify his scoring bag because the Pelicans haven’t added the shooting needed to maximize his downhill scoring. Playmaking hasn’t been a standout, but this is a nice segue into where the biggest issue is for Zion offensively, which is his usage.
To start this season, Z has the fourth-highest usage rate on the team and has been off the ball as a cutter and roll man far more than he should be. One of the biggest criticisms fans had for both Willie Green and James Borrego last year was that Z had the lowest usage rate of his career. That trend has picked right back up under Jamahl Mosley, and there is an easy fix to this problem, unlike with Green or Borrego, who simply were just not putting the ball in Zion’s hands.
When you look at who ranks highest in usage on the Pelicans this season, it’s Dejounte Murray at No. 1, with Jeremiah Fears a close second. That’s the problem right there. With those two starting and sharing the backcourt, Zion has gone from a guy who is normally the secondary initiator after the point guard to third. Even against Denver, he was fourth on that list because Trey Murphy III was having a big night. That can’t happen.
Though some of the off-ball cutting and roller stuff has been good from Z, when you lack floor spacing, you can’t have a guy the defense leaves wide open off the ball the way they do with him. You especially can’t have him that low on the pecking order when he is arguably your best player and offensive scoring talent.
You can argue that Z needs to take the ball or be more assertive, but unlike Trey Murphy III, it’s hard to do that with his scoring profile during a possession. He can’t just break down a defender and fire a stepback three. He needs a screen or an action to create that gives him space and open a lane to drive, and to do that, he needs time with the ball.
Aside from a 0-3 start, that’s probably the biggest argument for Mosley to shake up his starting lineup ahead of Wednesday against Denver.
As I mentioned, there are also aspects of Z's game that are fully within his control, particularly on the defensive end. Yes, the defensive playmaking numbers have been great, which may be a win in itself for some. But the actual effort on that side of the floor and on the glass is still so disappointing.
Starting with the rebounding, because this feels like something that may never go away with Zion. Three rebounds per game? That’s it? Really? I just can’t. There is zero reason for a player with his frame and athleticism to not be jumping up and snatching boards like they’re going out of style. Then you factor in he still gets lazy defensively and lets his man blow by him way too often, and I ask: what value do his defensive playmaking numbers even bring?
Honestly, I would rather he average one steal and block zero shots but give this team six-plus rebounds and actually provide a consistent effort when guarding on the ball. That would provide more value for this group than starting a few fast breaks. Well, actually, maybe not because the half-court is putrid, so maybe I take that back.
I guess we'll see if any of this changes ahead of Wednesday’s rematch with the Denver Nuggets or if I just wasted 900 words on a whole lot of nothing.
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