Zion Williamson showed up to Pelicans media day looking slimmer than he has in years, sparking new optimism in New Orleans about his health and future.
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The 25-year-old forward has battled questions about his conditioning and durability throughout his career, but he made it clear he feels different heading into this season.
“We came up with a plan from boxing to working out on the football field, a lot to just different random workouts,” Williamson said. “And during that timeframe last year, I really felt a shift in my body to where I would look at him and go, ‘Dude, it feels good to feel good.’ I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk into a gym and I feel good.”
Williamson has only played 65 or more games once in his six NBA seasons. Despite averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last year, he was limited to 30 games due to a hamstring injury. New Orleans knows that any playoff hopes rest on Zion staying on the floor.
His teammates have noticed the difference too. Trey Murphy III said Zion looked “slimmer than I’ve ever seen him during the summertime, which is always a good sign. And I feel like he’s in a really good place mentally.”
The Pelicans’ new head of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, has also played a role in Zion’s transformation.
“He’s going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for,” Williamson explained. “I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard, and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path.”
Williamson added, “[Dumars and GM Troy Weaver] embraced me and I just told them, ‘I’m not going to let y’all down.’ It helped a lot that they really believed in me.”