Though Zion Williamson had a great 2023-24, arguably the healthiest season of his NBA career, he is not satisfied with where he stands. The 24-year-old is entering the 2024-25 season, his sixth in the league, with a completely new approach, unlike anything in the past.
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Will Guillory, an NBA writer for The Athletic, revealed on the ‘New Orleans Pelicans Podcast’ that the All-Star forward’s approach during the offseason was telling. He said,
“He made a commitment to having Pelicans people around him throughout the off-season… Early in his career, he would go away for the off-season and they wouldn’t hear from him… You saw where his mentality is different.”
“He made a commitment to having Pelicans people around him throughout the off-season… Early in his career, he would go away for the off-season and they wouldn’t hear from him… You saw where his mentality is different”
— @WillGuillory on Zion’s off-season workouts in Texas pic.twitter.com/CSaSoaYztJ
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) October 11, 2024
Guillory revealed that Zion committed to 6 AM workouts throughout the summer. His training regime would include two intensive workouts a day. On top of that, he had Pelicans staff members and even assistant coaches around him, which hadn’t been the case in the past.
This was quite different from the past offseasons and possibly indicates a shift in mindset or can be taken as a sign of Williamson maturing as a player.
The franchise has made two postseason appearances from the time Williamson became part of its roster. The two-time All-Star didn’t play in either due to injuries.
This time around, Williamson’s focus is to not just thrive during the regular season but to be available for the games from April, when the stakes are high. His preparation for the upcoming season reflects this commitment.
Zion is ready to change the narrative
As the 2024-25 season approaches, Zion seems to be in the best physical shape of his career. He revealed at a summer camp that he weighed 281 pounds – even lighter than where he was at Duke, which was 285 pounds.
Last season, the 6-foot-6 star forward weighed 284 pounds. However, the predominant belief was that he was out of shape. His performance during the NBA’s In-Season Tournament matchup against the Lakers did not help his case either.
The criticisms have placed a chip on his shoulder, prompting Williamson to say it’s “Time to take every game personal.”
His meticulous offseason preparation, which he described as a “breath of fresh air,” makes him believe in his ability to change the narrative surrounding him.
The Pelicans are one of the biggest wild cards in the Western Conference. However, they’ll only go as far as their power forward takes them. A new and improved Williamson could give them that much-needed push. Needless to say, it will ring warning bells for the rest of the NBA
