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After winning the lottery and selecting Zion Williamson in the 2019 NBA Draft, expectations continued to rise for the up-and-coming New Orleans Pelicans. His sophomore season was phenomenal, but an unfortunate injury he sustained in the offseason has forced him to sit out the first twelve games of the season. Moreover, Williamson's All Star-caliber teammate Brandon Ingram has missed the last six games of the Pelicans as well.
Newly-hired coach Willie Green has been frustrated with the performance of his team, magnified by his postgame comments after their dismal loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Wednesday night.
He expressed his disappointment with the effort and tenacity on both ends of the floor, along with his dismay on the continuous complaining of his players on several calls that led to numerous technical fouls. With this abysmal start, here are three reasons why this season is done for New Orleans.
Zion's durability and conditioning
At such a young age, Williamson has been incurring long term injuries already that could linger all throughout his career. There have been reports that these injuries were caused by his weight issues, which was already a cause of concern before he entered the league. His style of play could only be effective for a short period of time because he relies heavily on his athleticism.
Last season, Williamson had junctures wherein he was possessing his improvements on other facets of his game, but he will not be able to sustain these skills if he cannot stay on the floor for a whole season. Additionally as the leader of this franchise, Williamson must lead by example for his peers to remain inspired to perform at a high level.
It is already been almost a month of the season and Williamson still has no timetable for his return on the floor. With the Pelicans just winning one game this season, they will likely be way behind in the standings for Williamson to even have an impact when he plays his first game.
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Lack of facilitators and ball handlers
In Williamson's first season, the Pelicans had two tremendous guards in Jrue Holliday and Lonzo Ball. However, they did not complement with Ingram and Williamson prompting the organization to trade them. Trading both of these talented individuals may have caused them immensely as their offense is currently 26th in the association.
Devonte Graham is playing at at an impressive level, but he is not close to the skill set of Ball and Jrue Holiday. With other point guards Tomas Satoransky and Kira Lewis Jr. failing to tally consistent numbers, there are many instances that their offense is stagnant and unreliable.
Jonas Valanciunas is playing like one of the best big men in the league so far, but no one is providing ample support to aid him with additional scoring production. The upside of wings like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Josh Hart remain to be at a remarkable level, but if the offense is at a mess, these shooters will be put at a tough position to convert their jump shots consistently.
Pelicans' defense is non-existent
Even with Ingram and Williamson healthy, these two stars excel at the offensive side of the floor. With the departure of Ball, Holiday, and Steven Adams, three sensational defenders that will make it difficult for any team every night, the composition of their team lacks defensive stalwarts that would even bring a mindset and desire to contain some of the best in the NBA.
The Pelicans are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies with the worst defensive rating in the league at 112.4. The Pelicans have surrendered over 100 points in every game except one game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Green cannot be solely the reason for their cellar-dwelling 1-11 start because he is not given the tools and choices to compete with the best in the Western Conference. Even without Ingram and Williamson, their defense must at least be respectable for New Orleans to still stand a chance when they both return.
This looks like another lost season for the Pelicans as the time continues to weigh down on the possible departure of Williamson when his contract expires. With Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero likely entering the 2022 NBA Draft, New Orleans may just wish to crack another top 2 selection and select one of these two studs in the draft.
