Zion Williamson has been out of action for the entirety of the 2021-22 NBA season with a foot injury.
For a while, between his health issues and weight woes, it felt like one nonstop bad headline after another.
Over the past few weeks, though – something has changed. Not only has Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans, but there is a renewed sense of optimism regarding him suiting up for the organization.
This week, footage emerged of Williamson actually on the court. Understandably, fans were hyped:
Zion getting shots up with Corey Brewer and Teresa Weatherspoon pic.twitter.com/EX9bNlxHQg
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) March 12, 2022
Reactions poured in immediately:
Zion Williamson looking good https://t.co/9m1QVwIUCs
— Sports Card Busters (@SCBcards) March 13, 2022
Get right https://t.co/5b12cdvOjy
— Norm (@4PocketsFulNorm) March 12, 2022
He finally got rid of that ugly ass set shot https://t.co/IB42gh4P07
— Ty (@JoblessSensei) March 12, 2022
https://t.co/WJiS3OVnCQ pic.twitter.com/QKCuIHzF5x
— Tra – LSU(6-6) (9-8) (@WhoDatTra) March 12, 2022
Couple this new footage with how skinny Williamson is looking these days, and you see why Pelicans fans are as giddy as ever.
Now, perspective is key. New Orleans fans are starved for any good news when it comes to Williamson. That’s what happens when you take a player with the top overall draft pick and then he goes on to subsequently miss 122 out of 207 professional outings.
Generally speaking, it’s never a great sign when a guy sits out of more games than he has partaken in over the course of his career.
R.J. Barrett, the player the New York Knicks took at No. 2 after Williamson in 2019, has some notable flaws — but at least he plays. That’s more than can be said for Williamson.
Yikes Naomi Osaka. https://t.co/rT5yKS2HPG
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 13, 2022
But there’s still time to right the ship.
Williamson is still only 21 years old. If he can get right and stay healthy a la Joel Embiid over the last few seasons, then there is plenty of time for him to reshape his narrative.
Will be ultimately be able to? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
