Zion Williamson on Pelicans leading the West: “For us to have that ranking right now, it’s big”
Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans have been on a roll. They've won seven straight games, including back-to-back wins over the Phoenix Suns, who led the Western Conference standings for a decent stretch.
The Pelicans are now a game ahead of the second-placed Memphis Grizzlies in the table with an 18-8 record. Williamson reflected on the team's run and being ranked No. 1 in the standings following their 129-124 OT win over the Suns on Sunday, saying (Oleh Kosel):
“We’re No. 1 in the West right now,” Zion Williamson said. “I know to a lot of people that’s not a big deal, because it’s early in the season, but for us to have that ranking right now, it’s big.
"We not only want to hold onto it, we want to build on it. We have a deep team, and we all have a special bond, so everybody is happy to see each other do well.”
It's indeed a young season, but the New Orleans Pelicans have put the league on notice. Nobody expected them to top the rankings at this stage. From what they've shown, it won't be surprising to see them maintain this streak and potentially finish the regular season as the No.1 seed.
Their young roster has shown tremendous discipline and consistency so far. The Pelicans look like a well-oiled machine, with the team's best players and supporting cast carrying out their roles perfectly.
New Orleans has had to wait a long time to finally see a squad competitive enough to make the playoffs every year. They're showing that they're capable of much more than that. If they can replicate this form in the playoffs, the Pelicans could be a legitimate threat to represent the West in the NBA Finals.
Zion Williamson leads the New Orleans Pelicans' charge to the top of the standings
Zion Williamson's return to the court has been crucial in the New Orleans Pelicans' success in the regular season. Williamson hasn't taken too long to find his rhythm and has played his way into the MVP conversation after powering the Pelicans atop the conference standings.
The former No. 1 pick is averaging 30.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks, shooting an impressive 66.9% from the field during the team's current seven-game winning streak. Williamson is finding his rhythm and looking more confident with every game.
That has the Pelicans looking more and more threatening and unstoppable, which is what they hoped for upon his return. Williamson has also had to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the team without their second-best player, Brandon Ingram, who has been on the sidelines during this winning run.
If Zion Williamson continues to dominate when Ingram returns, the New Orleans Pelicans will arguably be the most feared team in the West moving forward.