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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans’ experiments with Zion Williamson as their primary handler this season have mostly been relegated to getting a rebound and pushing the team or team dealing with it with dead balls and free throws.
But Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, with starting point guard Lonzo Ball with a hip injury, Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy decided it was time for a heavier dose of “Point Zion”.
“Tonight we just decided that we would play him at that point all night,” said Van Gundy. “At least as long as he could go. He always had the ball in his hands and the ability to make plays and everything else.”
The result was arguably the best game of Williamson’s career: 37 points (two of his career highs), a career-high 15 rebounds and a career-high draw of eight assists, all in a 101-94 victory.
“He played the game the way you’re supposed to play it. He was just great,” said Van Gundy.
According to research from ESPN Stats & Information, Williamson, 20, became the youngest player in league history with at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in an NBA game.
“It just feels natural to me,” said Williamson of the ball handling duties being placed on his shoulders. “I’ve been playing the game since I was 4 years old. Right now it just feels natural. I’m still learning, but some things just feel natural.”
While the Pelicans really started leaning against Williamson as the initiator of the attack in early February, Friday’s game marked a big difference. According to data from Second Spectrum, Williamson brought the ball forward 35 times, the most he’s done all season. His previous record was 25. He also increased it 12 times in the fourth quarter, equal to the highest number he had in a single quarter.
Williamson said his confidence has grown over the past two months and thanks his stepfather, Lee Anderson, and Pelican’s assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon for that. Weatherspoon was also partly responsible for Williamson’s pull-up jumper on the baseline in the fourth quarter, causing the Pelicans’ bank to panic.
“Yeah, I have that in my bag. I just have, that’s what (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) said I want to be a perfectionist,” Williamson said. “I want to get the best and easiest shot. But my teammates and especially T-Spoon. She said, ‘Z, give me one. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to shoot it again.” ”
“When I recorded it, it felt good. I liked the result to be fair. She tells me every game, but tonight she thought, give me one. I tried. And it worked.”
While the Pelicans took to Williamson with Ball out more out of necessity on Friday, it’s something New Orleans will be visiting more often anyway.
“We want him to get more experience with that sort of thing in the future, because I think that’s where his future is in this game,” said Van Gundy. “Really.” He just needs reps and more and more and we’ve increased it through the year giving him more and more opportunities. We would like to give him more in the future. We will try to build some more things for him. “