Zion Williamson, jaded star

The season has become drastically complicated for the Pelicans who have seen their fortunes do an about-turn in just three weeks. The losses they have accumulated not only damage the present, but also the future. They are without Jose Alvarado, the electric Puerto Rican point guard who fit so well into the rotation - he is out with an ankle problem and has yet to feature this season.

And more recently, starting small forward Herb Jones (blow to the right fibula) and Larry Nance (fractured ribs) have fallen. Trey Murphy will be in the infirmary at least until mid-December, having had surgery on his left meniscus before this campaign and just for good measure, there’s C.J. McCollum, the safest option they have had until now who has a defect in his right lung that is keeping him on the sidelines. Head coach Willie Green has to forge ahead with those who remain available at least for a while.

The balance so far this year, four wins from 11, is not the most worrying part. Now everything appears to have descended into chaos and with that negativity, results aren’t coming, and megastar Zion Williamson has something to say about it.

The NOLA franchise player has once again stirred up issues of the past. The main one, his difference of opinion with those in charge of sports (in the foreground, David Griffin) about the direction of the franchise. Before the press, when the question was directed to whether he sees a difference in the attacking game plan that is in place for him, he once again launched his opinion on the overall situation of the Pelicans. “Last year we had a team meeting and We brought up some things I could do better. Especially with buying into the program. It’s tough right now. I’m taking a little back seat right now. And I’m trusting the process. I’m trying my best to buy in right now,” admitted, with some unease, the number one in the 2019 Draft.

The plan to which the question referred is an adjustment of the offensive game compared to last year that Willie Green has worked on. In his case, to better fit him with Jonas Valanciunas, the rocky Lithuanian center with whom he shares interior space.

Zion Williamson sets the pace

Zion’s statements follow the line that his entourage has followed, in private. The tightness has gone hand in hand with the injuries, everything raised to maximum power. It’s been four years of constant shifts from side to side with one discordant aspect above others: the Salisbury-born player’s physical condition. Between the extreme profile he has and the careless way he looks after himself, the problems have become entrenched between the two parties - to the point that the renewal signed over the summer is no obstacle to seeking a future apart.

The Pels did not miss the opportunity to tie up the star for five more years, which marks the maximum contractual amount he aspired to after the rookie scale contract. Until 2028 he will earn $197 million dollars as a base salary, with two specifications - 25% less if he does not enter the All-Star selection, 30% more if he achieves it - and the obligation to keep his weight below 133 kilograms . This stipulation had to be included for obvious reasons.

Willie Green’s team needs to prove something more in the Western Conference, where reaching a round of playoffs in this Zion era seems a modest aim. In 2021/22, the year that the former Duke player missed through injury, the Suns eliminated them. Individually they cannot be measured by numbers since they are itinerant over time. His 22.2 points this season are the lowest average in his NBA career and his minutes (31.1) are terry much standard, hence the question arose about his involvement in attack. The doubts had accompanied him since he was in the NCAA due to his build, never seen before (a lot of weight but with great agility), and they continue to accompany him at 23 years old. With his new family unit recently formed, basketball continues to be a headache.