7 NBA stars with the most to prove in the 2023-24 season

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks react during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on October 20, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

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NBA Star #4: Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson has shown two things over his first four years with the New Orleans Pelicans: flashes that he could carry a team on his broad shoulders and a pertinence for injuries. The former No. 1 pick has missed 204 regular-season games out of a possible 318.

No one doubts Williamson’s potential to be a franchise changer, but an abundance of lower body injuries, weight issues, and friction with the front office has made him just as much of a liability.

Place him on the court and he gives the Pelicans an easy career average of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game with 61 percent field-goal shooting. Take him off the floor and New Orleans has been able to function the last two years by making the playoffs and entering the play-in tournament with a winning record of 42-40.

All signs have pointed to Williamson doing all of the correct things to make sure he is on the court and contributing after a turbulent offseason, but the true test of meeting the expectations set for him coming out of Duke will be the number of games played checked in the statistician box at the end of the year. No improvements will do anything but spark the bust talk.

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