Before every NBA season, fans and experts have high hopes for young players to take the next step and realize their full potential. However, more often than not, fans and analysts end up disappointed when even the most promising talents fail to meet lofty expectations. This year, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans is a prime example of unfulfilled promise.
Despite his immense physical gifts and talent, Williamson has so far been unable to deliver on the hype that surrounded him coming into the league. In this article, we will take a deeper look at why the former No. 1 overall pick has struggled to establish himself as a dominant force. We will examine concerns over his fitness and conditioning, analyze shortcomings in his skillset, and discuss whether injuries have hampered his development. With the Pelicans hoping to contend, the pressure is on Williamson to evolve into the superstar they anticipated when drafting him. It remains to be seen whether he can overcome early career setbacks to meet his vast potential.
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Zion Williamson’s unrealized potential
Despite never shooting beyond the paint and failing to provide adequate defensive effort every night, Zion still has MVP candidate upside. His combination of power, explosiveness and agility is unguardable even by opponents who know exactly what his intentions are every time he touches the ball. But instead of actualizing that potential, Zion has played just 59 games since 2021 and hasn’t come close to how great he could be. Moreover, somehow he barely accounts for the NBA’s zeitgeist, turning into a peripheral figure marginalized by a production that doesn’t have jaws dropping like it used to.
If you’ve ever seen Zion take off from the dotted line, glide through the air while simultaneously weaving between shot blockers at the rim and hammer it down on them, you may wonder why that doesn’t happen a dozen times a game. Maybe more. Williamson is unstoppable when he’s locked in. He stomps, soars and pulverizes in an unprecedented form. A shockwave and sonic boom creator. One day he could average 30 points per game. He could also break into the top 10 in assists.
But so far, Zion hasn’t actualized that mammoth potential to its full extent. His play is uneven, his stats far from superstar level. To validate his No. 1 overall draft status and MVP future, Williamson needs a seismic shift in approach – working more on his shot, improving defense, and learning to consistently perform at the height of his powers. For now, he looks like a shadow of the unstoppable leader he could become.
Zion’s inconsistent play in the new season
Despite playing on an impressive Pelicans roster this year that has allowed him to start more than ever before, he won’t make the All-Star team. Zion has scored 30+ points just three times in 30 games – his 21.8 point average trails Bam Adebayo, Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum – and he has yet to tally double-digit assists.
Even if Zion is the primary concern of the opposition every night, Brandon Ingram is currently the Pelicans’ best player. For the first time in Zion’s career, his team has a more effective offense when he’s on the bench. His usage, efficiency and free throw rate have never been lower. When he’s the nominal center, his field goal percentage at the rim is actually worse than when paired with paint-scoring Jonas Valančiūnas.
Thus, despite all his talent, Zion has played extremely inconsistently this new season. He can’t score or facilitate at the level of a team leader. His offensive contribution leaves much to be desired. To validate the first overall pick status and MVP candidate billing, Williamson needs to significantly improve his focus and consistency. For now, he looks like a shadow of his former self.