Zion Williamson to spend the off season working on the game, on the body

For rookie Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, it’s time to turn the page to next season and focus on improving, with his game and body.

“I’ll talk to my coaches and see what I need to do best from their point of view,” Williamson said Thursday morning. “Also talk to my coaches about player development, see what I need to do best from their point of view. Just work on every part of my game and work to get my body where it needs to be.”

Asked where he felt he needed his body, Williamson said, “This is a conversation I’m going to have with my team. We’ll sit down, see what they need me to do better, then I can give you a better answer to that.”

The 2019-20 season was a mixed bag for Williamson, who won’t play in Thursday’s season finale against the Orlando Magic. He got injured early in the season, started to find his balance before the break and then found himself in an “explosive restriction” in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida.

Williamson’s weight – he is quoted at 285 pounds – has been a topic of discussion since he was at Duke for his lonely college season. Once back in the bubble from a family medical emergency and 13 days away from basketball activities, his weight and conditioning were once again at the forefront of the conversation.

“Everyone has a right to their own opinion,” Williamson said. “But I’ll stick to the opinions of the people closest to me and my team and start from there.”

In 24 games, Williamson averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field and going 6 for 14 from 3 points, although four of those achieved by 3 points. came to his debut against the San Antonio Spurs in January. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williamson is the second rookie in NBA history to average 20 points per game while shooting at least 55% from the field, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93).

However, it was difficult for Williamson to find a rhythm, as he lost his first 43 games of the season after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He also went through restrictions in his early games before starting to find his pace before the break.

“There were some tough times where I was trying to get a rhythm,” Williamson said. “It’s part of the game and part of the return from injury. But you know, I feel like the coaches and training staff have handled it very well. Just to be able to play a minute in an NBA game, I’m grateful for that.”

The Pelicans failed to make it to the playoffs, but Williamson said this season may be a “starting point” for the franchise to build on.

“I think we may still have some bumps and bruises, but I feel the chemistry will be a lot better,” he said. “If we keep building it and have fun, I think everything will be fine. … I think our future is bright. But we have to commit to it. That’s all I can say about it.”