New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson is still under minutes restriction as the team remains cautious of his long-term health. With that said, head coach Alvin Gentry is well aware of Williamson's lingering frustrations.
In Gentry's media availability on Sunday, the coach sympathized with Williamson's discontent at playing in three-minute bursts. He knows that the first overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft wants to play and help the Pelicans, but his restriction has resulted into an inconsistent production line from Zion.
As such, Gentry called on analysts and the media not to judge the Duke standout right away given his limits.
“Yeah, I think he’s frustrated…I mean, of course he does. He wants to be playing and he thinks he can help us win. Obviously we feel that he can help us win also. So yeah, there’s a little frustration there I think if you talk to him. I don’t know about the movement part. He just hadn’t had an opportunity. When you play him (in) three-minute bursts, there’s not a whole lot that you can tell from that right away. I don’t know if we can judge him until he’s able to play minutes where he can get a flow and see what’s going on there,” the Pelicans coach said.
Alvin Gentry was also asked if they intend to lift these restrictions any time soon, or at least field Zion Williamson in a close game. The Pelicans head coach did not close his doors on this possibility, but he reiterated that his decision ultimately relies on the medical team.
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