With just a few weeks to go before the new NBA season, Zion Williamson is working hard to prepare his body and mind for the grind ahead. But with so much uncertainty surrounding his future, Williamson recently spoke up to address the haters and doubts.
“(The In-Season Tournament loss) was definitely one of the key turning points in the season, and honestly, for me as a man in my career,” Williamson said in a chat with Will Guillory of The Athletic . “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. 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."
"I’m out for straight vengeance. Not against any particular person. Just for myself.”
Williamson, 24, was the 1st overall pick back in 2019. He was a superstar athlete coming out of Duke and projections had him becoming the face of the league within a few years. So far, Zion has not met those expectations.
To date, Zion Williamson only has two seasons where he's played in at least 60 games and there are at least three where he's played in 30 or less. The 2023-24 campaign was, undoubtedly, Zion's healthiest year but it was also his worst statistically. In 70 games, he averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 57.0% shooting, well below his career average of 24.7 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Williamson's worst career moment came during the in-season tournament when the Pelicans got blown out and embarrassed by the Lakers. With history on the line, Williamson completely flopped that night with 13 points, 3 turnovers, and 3 fouls in 26 minutes.
Since the nightmarish performance, Zion has dealt with scrutiny from all sides and the fans have abandoned all hope of the Pels making a long playoff run anytime soon. But as a new season approaches, Williamson has a clean slate to win back over the fans and re-establish himself as a rising star in the NBA.
At 6'6" and 250 pounds, Williamson still has the same size and strength that made him famous at Duke and he still has the same explosiveness that made him so dangerous around the rim.
If he can develop a more consistent jumper and flesh out his ball-handling skills, it might be enough for Zion to make a leap from young NBA star to superstar-caliber athlete. Of course, most importantly of all, Williamson will have to stay healthy and in shape.
Concerns about his weight have followed Zion for his entire career and now that he's getting older people are only expecting more from him about staying in game-shape all year long.
It'll be up to Zion to prove that he's up for the task and show the world what can happen when you count him out too early. He, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum will be looking to prove a point next season and they will not hold back against anyone who stands in their way.
Related: Zion Williamson Names The Craziest Trash-Talkers He's Faced In The NBA
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