New Orleans Pelicans News

3 Things To Consider About The Pelicans Before NBA Restart

by
The Who Dat Daily Staff
2020-06-19

Clutch Points/A. Mathur The New Orleans Pelicans will be among the 22 teams partaking in the “bubble” games down in Orlando, Florida. The Big Easy franchise will be battling it out with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs for the final playoff spot in the West. It almost feels like the NBA did everything it could to include the Pelicans in the restart, which isn’t that much of a surprise given New Orleans has 2019 No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson on the squad.

Before the 2019-20 season was suspended in March, NBA TV ratings were down. Much of that has to do with the fact that the Pelicans had a bunch of nationally televised games earlier in the year and Williamson wasn’t playing since he underwent knee surgery to begin his career. Once Williamson made his NBA debut for the Pelicans, the team became must-see TV. Zion averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists and helped the team go 10-9 in the 19 games he appeared in. With the “bubble” games scheduled to begin on July 30, here are three questions the Pelicans need to address.

3. How did the layoff affect Zion Williamson’s surgically repaired knee?

Williamson was able to stay in shape and work on his game during the hiatus since he had a basketball hoop at his house. The Pelicans rookie came into the NBA a little overweight, so it’s good to know that the lefty didn’t gain even more weight while games were suspended. However, Williamson is prone to getting hurt in Orlando. There is an increased risk of injury for players at Walt Disney World since they haven’t been able to play based on a three month-plus NBA shutdown and a shortened training camp due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Williamson may feel good once the games begin, but we have to see how his surgically repaired knee reacts to physical exertion once again. READ MORE