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The New Orleans Pelicans can deal more damage to the rest of the NBA in the upcoming season, and it starts with their star sophomore in Zion Williamson. The former Duke standout is entering their 2020-2021 campaign without any minutes restriction after a rookie season in which he often played in bursts after he underwent knee surgery.
Williamson only appeared in 24 games as a rookie and generated 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, but all his time spent sidelined opened the door for Memphis Grizzlies stud Ja Morant to win Rookie of the Year.
The upcoming season will hopefully be completely different for Williamson, who currently isn't dealing with any restrictions. He wasn't held back for their preseason opener against the Miami Heat, and he exploded for 26 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes on the floor.
Zion noticed the difference immediately:
“It was a different feeling. I can’t even lie,” Zion Williamson said. “It was a different feeling for sure. I think I was only able to finish a game maybe three, maybe four times last year. But it was a great feeling. When the clock struck zero, I was almost like, ‘Wow, it’s been a while.'”
“It felt great to be out there for extended stretches,” he added, per the New York Post.
The Pelicans dispatched the reigning Eastern Conference champions, 114-92, to notch their first win of the preseason. The team is hoping for a better campaign under the tutelage of newly hired head coach Stan Van Gundy along with the emergence of Brandon Ingram and the arrival of Steven Adams, among other newcomers.
Zion Williamson and the Pelicans will have another encounter against the Milwaukee Bucks before visiting the Toronto Raptors for their first game of the regular season on Dec. 23.
