New Orleans Pelicans Eye a Bold Move with Zion at Center
The New Orleans Pelicans are on the verge of a seismic shift this season. Zion Williamson, traditionally a power forward, may take on the role of starting center as the team explores this unconventional strategy. This potential move is intriguing and risky, given that Williamson stands at just 6-foot-6 and lacks traditional rebounding prowess and rim protection associated with the center position.
Despite these concerns, there is a growing sense of optimism within the Pelicans organization. Williamson is in the best shape of his career, having shown his ability to handle heavy minutes while shouldering a significant playmaking load. "In the best shape of his career, Williamson showed that he could handle heavy minutes while carrying a heavy playmaking load and competing defensively like never before," noted James Herbert. His remarkable turnaround last season, featuring a career-high 70 regular-season games, marked a pivotal turning point.
Williamson's versatility has always been one of his greatest strengths. Although listed as a power forward, he often operates more like a wing player. This adaptability will be crucial as he transitions to the center position. However, the challenge will be to compensate for the typical center duties, such as rebounding and rim protection. Nevertheless, the Pelicans are betting that Williamson's unique skill set can redefine the role.
Another notable development in the off-season was Paul George's move to the Philadelphia 76ers after five years with the Los Angeles Clippers. "And so, five years after returning home to Los Angeles, George packed his bags and signed with Philadelphia in free agency," Jack Maloney reported. This move has significant implications for the Pelicans' standing in the Western Conference, as teams reconfigure their rosters to exploit new opportunities and mitigate threats.
Across the league, several players made significant strides last season. Donovan Mitchell recorded career highs in assists, rebounds, and steals, while Kawhi Leonard managed to play in 68 games. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown delivered in clutch moments during a remarkable playoff run, and Devin Booker took on the responsibilities of a point guard for a Phoenix Suns team in dire need of one. "Booker has arguably become one of the most underrated players in the league and among the most efficient," praised Jasmyn Wimbish.
Anthony Edwards emerged as a formidable leader, driving the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals and playing a pivotal role in Team USA's gold medal victory over the summer. Keeping up with the elite, Kevin Durant maintained his impressive form, averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 41% 3-point shooting across 75 games—his highest since departing Golden State. Meanwhile, LeBron James defied age norms, becoming the oldest player to win an MVP award during the 2024 Olympics. "Sure, it's unreasonable to expect the impending quadragenarian to be the NBA's best player over the course of an 82-game season anymore, but make no mistake, in a smaller sample, there still might not be a single player in all of basketball that inspires more fear in his opponents than LeBron James," observed editor Sam Quinn.
The 2023-24 season saw the Boston Celtics clinch their league-leading 18th championship, with Jayson Tatum spearheading the charge. Tatum's dominance was evident as he led his team in points, rebounds, and assists during their championship run, earning his place on the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive season. Notably, Tatum surpassed Kobe Bryant for the most playoff points before turning 27. He "stamped his status with a spectacular playoff run, in which he hit the two biggest shots: the game-tying 3-pointer in the waning seconds of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and the game-sealing jumper in Game 3 of the Finals," highlighted Maloney.
As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans' daring experiment. Can Williamson redefine the center position and lead New Orleans to new heights? Or will the drawbacks of his non-traditional fit at center outweigh the benefits? It remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The Pelicans are not afraid to take bold steps in their quest for success.