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NBA fans waited anxiously to see Zion Williamson step on the court and compete against what the league had to offer during his rookie year. He has transitioned smoothly in his second year in the league, developing rapidly into a versatile big man for the New Orleans Pelicans.
On Monday ahead of the Dallas Mavericks‘ showdown against Zion and his Pelicans, Rick Carlisle offered his assessment of the young forward and his unique role with his team.
“They have him now doing some very unique things. He's become more of a play-maker with the ball,” Carlisle said of Zion, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
Zion Williamson, who has averaged 23.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists in the 23 games he has played this season, has proven to the NBA that he is an offensive threat. Even in the 24 contests he played last campaign, he averaged 22.5 point as his name was thrown into the Rookie of the Year conversation. Carlisle noticed that he has the potential to do some great things with the ball on the offensive end, and his “unique” play-making abilities can provide the Pelicans with the necessary resources to earn a spot in the 2021 playoffs.
Whether it be down on the post and playing bully ball in the paint, an efficient mid-range shot, or flying high to flush down an alley-oop pass, Williamson is undoubtedly capable of putting the ball in the hoop in so many different ways. He is a Swiss-Army knife for the Pelicans, and Carlisle is surely not the only coach who has seen this.
Although Maxi Kleber had five blocks on the night when the Mavericks last played the Pelicans (in 2019-20), Williamson is going to make sure Kleber does not get in the way of him putting up points when they face off on Friday.
