Baker's Dozen - The Ascendency of Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is putting up the most impressive numbers of his career over the last month, and is fresh off being named an All-Star for the first time in his career this past week.
Second season, first All-Star appearance 💪
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 24, 2021
Zion Williamson is a 2021 #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/vrKH7TjwQF
While he may have started out the year a bit wonky after having to play his way into shape, he has come on especially strong in February, averaging 27.3 ppg on 64.7% FG, 6.5 rpg, & 4.5 apg for the month. After going though his injury-plagued rookie year in which he only played 27.8 mpg in 24 games, he has been healthy this year and has upped his playing time to 32.9 mpg. With the increased time on the court, Zion has been provided the added responsibility of playmaking for the Pelicans. He's made a believer out of many, including ESPN's Mark Jones.
Media is sleeping on Zion Williamson this season. He’s not the shiny new toy anymore.
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) February 26, 2021
But he’s crazy improved. Initiating offense. Power point forward. Incredibly prolific in P/R as primary ball handler. His playmaking is much more polished. He’s more explosive than a year ago
Head coach Stan Van Gundy has decided to put Zion in the pick-and-roll as the primary ball handler more times in the last 10 games than the rest of his career combined. The results for Zion have been outstanding, as he has been able to distribute as a point-forward with excellent efficiency, all while getting to the rim and finishing at an above-average rate. He is scoring in a historic fashion, as he's putting up numbers that haven't been seen in the NBA since the late 1980's.
Zion Williamson is the 5th player (6th instance) in the shot-clock era to average 25 PPG on 60% shooting through his first 30 games of a season. He is the first since Charles Barkley in 1987-88 h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/Oo6r05Dg27
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 25, 2021
If Zion can continue to progress and improve in his 2nd season, and push the Pelicans into a playoff spot we should start to hear some MVP chatter. He still needs to continue to develop consistency his mid-range game, with the intention of stepping out past the 3-point line in order to keep defenses honest - even shooting slightly below league average beyond the arc would open up the lanes to the basket. Given the fact that the Williamson has made incredible leaps over the last couple of months, it's only a matter of time before we start hearing whispers of MVP.
Quick Hitters
We see you, @kenanthompson. Come on down for a @hornets game anytime! We'll buy the bacon. Just bring one of those shoes! @nbcsnl
— WCNC Charlotte (@wcnc) February 28, 2021
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