“I see a playoff team but I don’t see a contending team” – NBA analyst raises concern over Zion Williamson returning to Pelicans, says it's problematic to have multiple ball-dominant players on the team
Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans have generated a lot of buzz this summer. Coming into the 2022-23 season, the Pelicans are expected to be one of the teams that will take a considerable step forward in their development.
Some experts consider the Pelicans a dark horse to make a serious run in the Western Conference. One of the main reasons is the return of star forward Zion Williamson.
Throughout his young career, Williamson has shown he can be a dominant force on the offensive end. After missing last season due to a fractured right foot, Williamson looks rejuvenated and ready to take the Pelicans to the next level.
The team also has veteran guard CJ McCollum, All-Star Brandon Ingram, and solid depth pieces to fill out its roster.
Speaking recently on 'Undisputed', analyst Shannon Sharpe stressed caution in relation to the hype surrounding the Pelicans. He feels that even if they make the playoffs, they will not be championship contenders.
“I see a playoff team but not a contending team. People automatically assume 1+1+1=3, but that’s not always the case.
"When I look at it now, Zion needs the ball, so that means BI (Brandon Ingram) and CJ (McCollum) will have the ball less. How is that going to mesh... We saw BI and CJ had great chemistry together. So it could be very interesting to see how these three mesh, as opposed to these two."
How much better can Zion make the Pelicans?
“I see a playoff team but not a contending team. People automatically assume 1+1+1=3 but that’s not always the case.” — @ShannonSharpe https://t.co/R4VR1nNF3p
Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans hope to send a message to the rest of the NBA
The New Orleans Pelicans started to make some serious noise during the 2021-22 season. They played well down the final stretch and snuck into the playoffs as the eighth seed. They carried their hot play over into the postseason, giving the top-seeded Phoenix Suns everything they could handle through six games.
With a roster that features veteran depth and rising talent, the Pelicans could be a championship contender in the Western Conference this coming season. If the Pelicans continue to trend in the right direction, they could find themselves among the top teams in the league.
The Pelicans also have an intriguing group of young players that are ready to take the next step. Look for Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado to turn heads in the future.
Zion Williamson ‘dominated’ in last night’s team scrimmage, per Willie Green
He’s back 🔥 https://t.co/yaS6mPmdCw
The key to their success will be the health of Zion Williamson, who has dealt with lingering lower body injuries throughout his career. When he's on the court, Williamson is one of the most unique talents in the league. In the 2020/21 season, he posted averages of 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
The Pelicans kick off their 2022-23 season against the Brooklyn Nets on October 19.