When the New Orleans Pelicans used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft on Zion Williamson, they knew that they were getting a transcendent player. Williamson is dominant on the court, but he has not been able to stay healthy to showcase it consistently.
Getting Williamson in shape so that he can remain on the court has been a challenge for the Pelicans. He began his career on the sidelines and played only 24 games as a rookie. After appearing in 61 in his second season, he missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a broken foot.
All in all, Williamson has missed 141 games in the first three seasons of his career. For him to reach his full potential, that is something that needs to change. As we approach training camp, there is a lot of optimism surrounding Williamson and his ability to stay on the court.
In January, Williamson began working out with Jasper Bibbs, a strength and conditioning coach. The results, according to Bibbs, have been phenomenal.
“He’s in fantastic shape,” Bibbs told The Athletic. “He’s been committed to putting in the work day in and day out. I’m really proud of what he’s been able to accomplish. He’s a better athlete now than he’s ever been.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
While numbers on how much Williamson weighs and the amount of weight he lost were not shared by Bibbs, he is very happy with the work that has been put in. Williamson has reshaped his body, hopefully leading to better health and more games played.
Williamson has done extensive work alongside Bibbs this summer, including an eight-week program in Fort Lauderdale. This journey has been a long and arduous one, but all parties involved are hoping that it pays off.
This is a big season for the Pelicans, who made a late-season push and qualified for the playoffs, defeating the San Antonio Spurs and LA Clippers in the NBA Play-In Tournament. They pushed the Phoenix Suns to six games in the first round of the playoffs, and many people have wondered had things gone differently with Williamson in the lineup.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Hopefully, they can find that out for themselves this season. A healthy Williamson joining CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram in the lineup gives the Pelicans a very dangerous team heading into the 2022-23 season.
