Zion Williamson received heavy backlash for his poor showing in his team's loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 In-Season tournament semifinals.
Zion scored only 13 points on eight shots in that game while grabbing just three rebounds in 26 minutes of action. As a result, the New Orleans Pelicans were blown out 133-89 and eliminated from the tournament.
Speaking to The Athletic, Williamson looked back at that game and called it a turning point in his career.
"I'm watching (LeBron James) out here on the court, doing what he's doing. I'm telling myself I want to be a player that has a high level of greatness—one of the greats. In that big moment, I didn't show up," Williamson said . "It hit me while the game was going on. I just looked up and said, 'I didn't show up. I don't have any excuse.'"
Zion finished last season strong
While Williamson admitted his shortcomings after the game, he was still bombarded with criticisms, most notably from NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley. But instead of talking back at his detractors, Zion worked on getting in shape and responded on the basketball court.
Between that IST loss to L.A. and March 2024, Williamson lost 25 pounds and played better toward the end of the regular season. The Pelicans earned a spot in the Play-in tournament and faced the Lakers in the battle for the seventh seed.
Zion scored 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 36 minutes before a hamstring injury forced him to sit out the final three minutes of the contest as the Pelicans lost to the Lakers. New Orleans defeated the Sacramento Kings in the battle for the eighth seed. However, with their best player missing their entire playoff series due to that injury, the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Zion-less Pelicans.
Silver linings
Although New Orleans' 2023-24 campaign ended in disappointment, the team had several silver linings. The Pelicans won 49 games, the most with Williamson and the most since the 2008-09 campaign. Zion also played a career-high 70 regular-season games.
The organization lost center Jonas Valanciunas during the offseason. However, they added the likes of Dejounte Murray, Daniel Theis, and Javonte Green. That said, it's safe to say the Pelicans will go as far as Zion takes them in the 2024-25 campaign.
Williamson told The Athletic that he is out for straight vengeance, but we've seen that movie before. Let's hope this next one has a different ending and is better than the previous ones.
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