Zion Williamson is feeling motivated this season underneath the management of former Detroit Pistons participant Joe Dumars because the upcoming NBA season approaches.
Because the clock counts down for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season, the ability ahead believes he’s prepared for his seventh season. Though there’s no prediction that the New Orleans Pelicans can have an incredible season following their 21-61 document final season, the employees and gamers are excited to see the progress that Williamson has made within the offseason.
Zion Williamson was drafted No. 1 general within the 2019 NBA Draft
In response to USA In the present day, the Duke alum was drafted No. 1 general within the 2019 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2022, he signed a most extension and stays underneath contract for 3 extra seasons. Williamson lately opened up about his emotions going into this yr.
“I haven’t felt like this since faculty, highschool,” he mentioned at Tuesday’s press convention.
Williamson additionally spoke about his summer season mission, emphasizing the significance of constructing stronger bonds with Durmars, Weaver and different mentors whereas sharpening his “focus” on the basics of the sport.
“I really feel actually good going into the season. The main focus on this previous summer season was, , construct a relationship with Joe and Trey and simply keep locked in on the sport,” he mentioned.
Williamson additionally expressed that Durmas has been sincere and direct about what his mindset must be as a chief of the roster since he was chosen as the brand new vp for basketball operations govt in April.
“I like Joe. What you see is what you get. He’s going to carry me accountable and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to present me quite a lot of obligations as nicely,” Williamson instructed the press. “I’m excited for it and I look ahead to it. I do know he’s going to carry me to a very excessive commonplace and if I slip up or something, I do know he’s going to be proper there to ensure I get proper again on path.”
“It helped loads that they believed in me,” he continued, additionally shouting out Weaver.
Are the New Orleans Pelicans seeing a brand new Zion Williamson take form?
The entrance workplace, teaching employees and Williamson’s teammates are impressed by his reinvigorated work ethic and enhancements since Durmas. His colleague Trey Murphy III referred to as out how he’s in higher form, saying, he’s “slimmer than I’ve ever seen him throughout the summertime.”
This is thrilling information for Pelicans followers as a result of throughout Williamson’s time within the league, his bodily situation and participation have additionally been talked about, as his schedule hasn’t been the best to accommodate. Moreover, he hasn’t spent as a lot time on the courtroom as many would’ve thought. He has solely performed greater than 30 video games in two seasons, with final yr not being one among them. Attributable to accidents to his again and hamstrings, he solely performed 30 video games throughout the 2024-25 season.
Williamson and the Pelicans will take the ground on Oct. 2 for his or her first preseason matchup in opposition to the NBL’s Melbourne United earlier than beginning the 2025–26 common season on Oct. 21.
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