New Orleans Pelicans: 3 factors for success in NBA’s Orlando restart

1. Zion Williamson

Zion is the big question mark right now going into the remainder of the season. If he’s not there, expectations for the Pelicans are low, and they can play the way they’ve been playing for the time where Zion was injured all season.

But everyone wants to see Zion this summer. He may just be the biggest draw to tune in at the moment, and this eight-game stretch would be great for him to exhibit just how good he is right now. You’ve got to remember that he’s only played 19 games in the NBA and it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t feature. Next season will see the Pelicans finally become a legitimate playoff threat.

But, if Zion does play, he is the biggest x-factor New Orleans could have. We saw all the tape from his high school career. We saw all the games from his year at Duke. Now we’ve seen that his game does translate to the next level. To end this progressive year for the Pelicans, at least with eight games in Orlando with all eyes on them, would be the perfect way to end.

Zion is amongst the most dominant rookies the NBA has seen in its extraordinary history and he’s taken the league by storm. In those 19 games, Zion had a 29.6 usage rate, becoming New Orleans superstar right from the start and showing everyone why the hype was like it was for the last few years. He’s a high volume scorer, great rebounder, can create looks for his teammates and has the potential to be a consistent threat from beyond the arc as well as anywhere inside.

Pelicans fans have a lot to be excited about and so do basketball fans in general. Zion’s talent is unmatched and we’re going to get to see this for years to come. He is amongst the biggest x-factors in the league and is certainly New Orleans’ biggest.