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The New Orleans Pelicans are heading into the NBA restart in a virtual tie for the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference.
But the Pelicans would have been a mid-level playoff seed if Zion Williamson had been healthy all year, according to Josh Hart.
Via Jonathan Abrams of Bleacher Report:
“The addition of him made us more aggressive, more dynamic,” his teammate, Josh Hart, said. “I think if we had him at the beginning of the year, the story wouldn't be [us] fighting for the eighth seed; it would've been we're a four or five seed in the West, honestly. … Unfortunately, we weren't able to have him in the beginning of the year, but he's helped turn this organization and this season around.”
Williamson missed the first few months of the year after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Zion immediately showed why he was the No. 1 overall pick upon his return.
The former Duke star averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting nearly 59 percent from the field. Whether bullying defenders with straight-line drives or getting out in transition, Zion has supplied the Pelicans with endless energy and productivity.
But as for being a mid-level seed? Well, maybe not so fast. The Pelicans are 10-9 with Zion in the rotation. A solid mark, to be sure, but hardly anything overly special.
That said, Williamson's presence seems to open up the floor for New Orleans.
Lonzo Ball has grown especially comfortable with Zion on the court, finding Williamson for lobs in transition while also benefiting from additional floor spacing.
Zion prompted excitement when he came to the Orlando bubble looking slimmer and exceptionally toned. Unfortunately, he also had to leave Orlando to tend to an “urgent family medical matter.”
It remains to be seen what kind of impact Williamson can have for the remainder of this season, but he very well could be the central figure in New Orleans for years to come.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to note that the Pelicans are 10-9 with Zion, not 11-8.
