Can Zion Williamson Carry Pelicans to Top-3 Finish? Ex-NBA Champ?s Two Cents Might Not Be a Hot Take

Zion Williamson is a freak of nature. His raw athleticism and energy could uplift the Pelicans team as long as he was available to them. But, like they say in the NBA, for a player, the greatest ability is availability. That’s what Zion has been lacking. Many in the league have high hopes for this young New Orleans team, and so does this retired Mavericks Champion.

Will this be the year that Zion gets his act together? As he has already been called out by his teammates. A make-or-break season awaits the Pelicans.

A top 3 team

Brendan Haywood won his ring with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. So he knows what it takes to be a contender or a champion. Thus, when he says the Pelicans could be a top-3 team, it is not a hot take at all. This NOLA team has studs like Brandon Ingram, C. J. McCollum, and Larry Nance Jr. to play along with Zion. And they have some defensive specialists too. If they come together as a unit, they will be a force to reckon with.

The Pelicans not only have a super talented group but also a fantastic coach in Willie Green. If they could figure out ways to keep Zion on the court, then they would rise above their struggles. Last season, Zion had missed 53 games, while Brandon Ingram had missed 37. These are the 2 best players on the team, and if they are not available, the Pelicans are not a contender.

When everyone is focused on Zion?s weight issues and his injuries, Brandon Ingram escapes the scrutiny. Ingram has only played 55 games in the 2021-22 season and 45 games in the 2022-23 season. Though Zion gets a major share of the blame, even Ingram has to be held accountable. He has to make a major shift, in order to get back to his All-Star days.

The LeBron Blue Print

For all the stars of the game, they don’t have to look beyond LeBron James to be a professional. Every year, he spends over a million dollars on his health regime. And it is not even about the money part. It reflects on his dedication. Now it is up to the young stars of the league to emulate the king.

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Zion Williamson is one of the top 15 earner of the league. And so is Luka Doncic. But there ends the comparison, as one is touted to be the MVP, while the other needs to prove his dedication. If Zion converts this season into a fruitful one, his team will not only be top-3, it can even have higher ambitions.

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