Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans star forward, anticipates a challenging yet productive relationship with the team’s new executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars. This offseason, Williamson has been a regular presence at the Pelicans’ headquarters, where he aims to implement Dumars’ guidance into his game. The 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick from Duke is all too familiar with the weight of NBA expectations. He should enjoy it even more while playing under Joe Dumars, a two-time NBA champion and the 1989 Finals MVP.
Williamson’s short professional career is highlighted by an average of 24.7 points per game. Injuries have caught up with him, keeping him out of more games than he has ever played since turning pro. With all due respect to his extraordinary talent, he has not one single postseason game under his belt. Williamson understands the burden of expectation and is willing to accept the demanding task that it will take to reach greatness.
I can’t express how much I felt a change in my body,” Williamson said, attributing significant development to Pelicans Director of Performance Daniel Bove for his clear progress throughout his training program. He has clearly been impressive in the gym this offseason. His sessions include boxing-inspired workouts and position-specific drills on the fields where the NFL’s New Orleans Saints practice. This multi-point plan is designed to improve his conditioning and overall performance on the court.
So far, Dumars has indicated he understands this and his doing more than simply looking for Williamson’s raw talent. Through all this, he’s maintained an honest dialogue with Williamson about what it really means to chase greatness. They highlight the need for accountability and consistency in that journey. Williamson appreciates Dumars’ straightforward manner, stating, “I like Joe Dumars and appreciate his straightforward approach.”
The future conversations between Dumars and Williamson should continue to be informed by a spirit of honest exchange and evolution. They’ve provided proof that talent isn’t enough to win the league. We all know that hard work and perseverance combined with a bit of luck are the ingredients for success. Williamson expressed his commitment to showing up every day, stating, “Greatness is when you don’t want to do it … you (still) show up every day and you make it happen.”
For the first offseason in a while, Williamson’s commitment to getting into better shape hasn’t been overlooked either. Teammate Trey Murphy III shared his thoughts on the amazing transformation of Williamson, saying he looks way slimmer than the last few summers. This change could be pivotal for Williamson as he aims to improve his game and contribute significantly to the Pelicans’ success in the upcoming season.
As Williamson looks to this next chapter of his career, he knows that being held accountable is key. Dumars’ expectations have only added to the young star’s fire. He is focused on showing the world that he is the real deal both on and off the court. The Pelicans organization hopes that this combination of talent and newfound discipline will lead to a successful run in the NBA.
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