Zion Williamson has been the center of attention at every New Orleans Pelicans media day since he entered the NBA as the top pick in 2019. The questions never change: Is he healthy? Is he in shape?
On Tuesday, Williamson didn’t have to speak before those questions were answered. Images of his leaner physique spread quickly online, fueling fresh optimism that the 25-year-old power forward may finally be ready to carry the Pelicans into the future.
“I haven’t felt like this since college,” Williamson said. “I can just walk in a gym, and I feel good.”
For a franchise worn down by years of promise followed by setbacks, the sight of Williamson’s transformation — and the words that followed — offered hope. But it also underscored the stakes.
A History of Hype and Disappointment
Williamson’s career averages of 24.7 points and a collection of explosive highlights have long suggested superstardom after entering the league as a viral phenomenon and possible generational talent. The problem has never been production; its availability. Since his debut, he has missed 268 games, more than he has played, and still hasn’t appeared in a playoff game.
The Pelicans have twice reached the postseason without him, but both runs ended in first-round exits. His absences have often been season-defining, and the organization has grown weary of waiting.
Former lead executive David Griffin was dismissed last spring, and head coach Willie Green could be next if the cycle continues. Patience has worn thin in New Orleans.
“When he’s available … he’s one of the best players in the NBA,” Green said. “(Availability) is going to be huge for him.”
A New Voice of Accountability
The arrival of Joe Dumars as executive vice president of basketball operations signaled a shift in philosophy. A Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, Dumars has emphasized discipline, responsibility and leadership in his conversations with Williamson.
“I like Joe; what you see is what you get,” Williamson said. “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. 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 said Dumars, Weaver and he had “man-to-man conversations” about the direction of the team. Williamson’s takeaway: “They embraced me, and I told them, ‘I’m not going to let y’all down.’”
Dumars has made clear that being the face of the franchise goes beyond scoring. He wants Williamson to be the player who steps up to face the media after difficult nights, to show teammates that accountability is a daily practice.
“Greatness is every day,” Williamson said. “Greatness is when you don’t want to do it … you (still) show up every day and you make it happen.”
Building a Body That Lasts
Williamson credited Pelicans trainer Daniel Bove with reshaping his approach to conditioning. Their work included boxing and football field drills, workouts Williamson said made fitness more sustainable.
“Last year while I was rehabbing my hamstring, me and him sat down and made a plan,” Williamson said. “During that time I felt a real shift in my body. I’d tell him, ‘Man, it feels good to feel good.’”
His teammate Trey Murphy III confirmed the transformation. “He’s slimmer than I’ve ever seen him during the summertime,” Murphy said. “I just feel like he’s in a really good place mentally.”
Williamson also spent time with former Pelicans assistant Teresa Weatherspoon, a Hall of Famer whom he calls his “big sister,” to refine his decision-making in crowded lanes.
“We put a lot of emphasis on working in tight spaces,” Williamson said. “(Knowing) what reads to make, what shots to take. Make the game easier on myself.”
Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
This season represents a crossroads for both Williamson and the Pelicans. New Orleans finished 21-61 last season, losing 52 games from Williamson and several other starters to injuries. With Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum no longer in the fold, the team’s playoff hopes rest squarely on Williamson’s shoulders.
He’ll have help from newcomers Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney, veterans who bring championship experience from their past stints in Golden State.
“They went through the journey, the playoffs, felt the energy and lived it,” Williamson said. “That experience — you just can’t get it anywhere else.”
But if health fails him again, the outcome may be disastrous. The Pelicans have already endured six years of the same pattern. Dumars’ patience — and the organization’s future with Williamson — will hinge on whether this season is different.
“The past is going to stay in the past,” Williamson said. “I’m only looking forward to the future.”
