Why it is so difficult to build around Zion Williamson

The Pelicans have a lot of truths to stare down about Zion Williamson. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

When the New Orleans Pelicans made Zion Williamson the first pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, a long-suffering fan base was elated.

The Pelicans were knee-deep in an Anthony Davis trade request and were looking to start over again, this time with another top-tier prospect just like in 2012, when Davis was the clear-cut, no-nonsense No. 1 prospect.

The organization was pivoting toward a player who earned fame with his immense athleticism, displaying high-flying acts in high school, to the point where he was a YouTube sensation by the time he was just 16 years old.

Williamson also had the game to back up the hype. During his lone season at Duke, the 6-foot-6 power forward dazzled fans and scouts with forceful play, high-end production and a balancing act between being the most entertaining player on the court, as well as the best.

By all accounts, it was an easy call to take Zion at No. 1. Weight issues could be managed, and the lack of a jump shot could be rectified. At least, that was the thinking.

Fast-forward to 2024, and two things stand out.

One, Williamson was able to translate his high school and college production to the NBA level, turning himself into an All-Star and seamless offensive weapon for the Pelicans.

Two, building around him has proven enormously difficult, to the point where you have to wonder if there’ll ever be a path to do it effectively.

Williamson is an undersized power forward who is not a strong shooter, not a strong rebounder and struggles to stay healthy.

What he does well, such as pressuring the rim, running the floor and converting inside, he does at elite levels. His 24.6-point career average on 58.8% shooting doesn’t come out of nowhere.

The contrast between what he can do and what he can’t is so stark, it’s difficult to cement a permanent baseline for his game. That contrast also makes it nearly impossible to construct a roster around him.

Some may point to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who isn’t exactly dissimilar to Williamson when it comes to the shooting department. Antetokounmpo, a notoriously shaky…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-it-is-so-difficult-to-build-around-zion-williamson-151737234.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-05 15:17:00

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