NBA Power Rankings Week 2: Scorching hot Miami Heat and what scares me

Last Week: (W) over MIN, (L) to ATL, (L) to SAC, (L) to NYK

This reality for the New Orleans Pelicans is brutal. They spent the offseason making questionable personnel decisions, had poor asset management, and tried to trick themselves and fans into thinking they would be in the playoffs solely due to Zion Williamson.

That may even have been true, but they have been without their superstar as he recovers from offseason foot surgery. The Pelicans in his absence have lost six of their first seven, turned the ball over like they’re shaving points and have the league’s third-worst point differential. This team has to find a way to win without Williamson, as he will likely continue to miss games throughout his career given his frame and injury history.

Scares Me: Zion’s health. Let’s keep banging that drum: Zion’s health scares me. The man is an incredible physical specimen, one capable of handling the ball on the perimeter and scoring inside against anyone through a dazzling combination of speed and strength. It all means nothing if he is not on the court. He has already lost some bounce on defense that he had in college; if injuries continue sapping his athleticism he could become an average player a lot sooner than the Pelicans, and the NBA, wants to see.