Zion Williamson's newfound motivator is a problem for the rest of the NBA

The 2023-24 NBA season was one to remember for Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. For one thing, they notched 49 wins on the year. It was only the third time in franchise history that the team hit that number in wins, and it was the first time they did it as the Pelicans.

While the season ended in a sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, there was still plenty of reason for optimism for New Orleans. That historic 49-win campaign coincided with Zion's healthiest season of his career as he was able to play in a record 70 regular season games last year. The Pelicans faithful have to be excited to have concrete proof that this team can compete with anyone in the league so long as Zion is available to lead the way.

On the downside, their season ended the same way that all of them have in the Zion era so far, with the Pelicans getting eliminated from contention while he watched from the bench in street clothes. Yes, last season was the best run that New Orleans has had in a long time. And yes, it was by far the best season of Zion's career. But, Zion Williamson isn't happy with the way things ended and is setting out to dominate next season with a new source of motivation: vengeance.

Zion Williams says that he's out for revenge with the Pelicans next season

It was poetic justice, or injustice depending on the observer, how Zion's season ended last year. Thanks to his season-long dominance, New Orleans found itself in a position to make the playoffs with a single victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the seven-eight matchup of the Play-In Tournament.

The Pelicans found themselves down as many as 18, but, through the team's resilience and Zion's leadership, clawed their way back into the game in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left in the contest, Williamson hit a tough lefty floater on Anthony Davis to tie the game, giving him 40 points on the night. That would prove to be his last bucket of the game, and his last bucket of the year.

It would turn out that Zion injured his left hamstring on that shot, and he could only watch from the sidelines as his Pelicans ultimately fell to the Lakers without him. New Orleans did wind up winning their second Play-In game and making the playoffs, but the Thunder were able to make quick work of the Pelicans sans Zion.

That feeling of helplessness was surely reminiscent of how he felt in a different face-off with the Lakers, the Pelicans' 44-point blowout loss to LA in the semifinal of the inaugural NBA Cup.

"“I was just looking up at the scoreboard like, ‘Damn, this isn’t us. That starts with me. I can’t be like this. This s*** can’t happen anymore.”"

- Zion Williamson

Zion told the Athletic that the pounding that LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Lakers gave to his team was a significant turning point for him last season.

"“I’m watching (LeBron James) out here on the court, doing what he’s doing. I’m telling myself I want to be a player that has a high level of greatness — one of the greats. In that big moment, I didn’t show up. It hit me while the game was going on. I just looked up and said, ‘I didn’t show up.’ I don’t have any excuse.”"

- Zion Williamson

Zion's determination to be better, to be one of the true greats, didn't stop at the end of the season or after his latest injury. He carried it with him through the offseason. He might have spent time gallivanting through China with his fellow Jordan brand stars, but he's also spent the summer grinding through workouts that began at the break of dawn and eating personalized meals from his private chef. The results of his newfound focus on health and conditioning are evident in his offseason photos and videos.

When asked what fans could expect from him next season, with his new body and motivations, he had a simple answer, one that should strike fear in the hearts of his opponents and inspire confidence in his fans:

"“I’m out for straight vengeance. Not against any particular person. Just for myself.”"

- Zion Williamson