The New Orleans Pelicans are doing incredibly well at the start of the 2022-23 NBA season. 22 games in, the Pelicans sit in the 3rd spot in the West, trailing only the Suns and the Nuggets. A huge reason behind their 14-8 record is none other than their star Zion Williamson.
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The 6ft 6″ forward has been living up to his #1 Pick status. In the 17 games he’s played this season, Zion’s averaging 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He continued to display his brilliance, as the Pelicans beat the Spurs 117-99 last night.
Zion with 30 PTS, 15 REB, 8 AST & this block! pic.twitter.com/hy9xirh7cM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 3, 2022
After the game, Zion was asked about the new point position he’s been playing, and who did he take as his PG inspiration. The 22-year-old answered the same and shared the list of players his parents made him study growing up.
Zion Williamson compares himself to Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo
If you’ve been watching Zion play for a while, I’m sure you’re used to seeing him move to the left and get where he wants to and score from there.
As we can see, Williamson favors his left more. When asked by a reporter about who can stop him when he does so, Zion tried his best not to sound cocky.
Zion on if one player can take away his left:
“In basketball terms that a hard question to answer without sounding cocky. Its like telling somebody ‘Stop Giannis from getting to the basket’ ‘Stop Curry from shooting 3’s’, i mean this is basketball… Its not as easy as it looks. pic.twitter.com/Co9rhgGTeG
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) December 3, 2022
Comparing his moves to Giannis’s drives and Steph’s 3s? That’s a big parallel to draw. Sure, the move has been working well for the Pelicans’ star, but it’s a little too early to draw such comparisons.
Can Zion lead the Pelicans to the playoffs?
Ever since Zion was drafted, the Pelicans have made the playoffs once, and it was in the season he was injured. This would be a stat that would bother Williamson, and he’d like to change it this year. The way he’s been playing, and the way the Pelicans have been playing, there is a good chance they make it to the playoffs, if they can keep performing like they are.
However, the biggest question for the team, like always, would be whether they can stay healthy. If this Pelicans team can stay healthy, they are surely headed to the postseason.