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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS (Neth.) – New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was unhappy with his performance in Wednesday’s 128-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Williamson had 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists and again shot over 50% of the field. He even attempted a season-high 16 free throws. The problem, however, was that he only made eight – and missed two crucial ones on the track.
So instead of going through his normal post-game routine, Williamson walked back onto the floor at the Smoothie King Center and took additional photos.
He started his shooting routine under the goal and worked his way back to the free-throw line. He had to make at least 10 in a row before moving on to shoot at seven different spots around the 3-point line. When all was said and done, and at least 100 shots or so later, Williamson spent 40 minutes on his technique before speaking to reporters.
When asked why he went back, his answer was simple.
“You saw the game, man,” Williamson said.
He explained that this is not something new to him, although he has never done it on the floor in the arena before. He likes to find another gym, he says, and he sometimes gets shots after losses or even wins.
But Wednesday’s game felt different.
“I really felt like I was letting my team down, man,” said Williamson. “It’s like I tell you all, I never want to disappoint them. All those free throws, it can’t go that way. I have to be better in those situations. If I want to be one of those great players, I have to take a lot of responsibility and be ready for those moments. Immediately after the game I felt that I had to go back on the field to find my flow. “
Improving his free throw shots was a major focus for Williamson entering the season after shooting 64% off the line a year ago. After getting off to a rocky start, shooting 53.1% in his first four games, Williamson and Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson started working on his shot.
In February, Williamson’s free-throw percentage was 74.6%, and it was 70.7% on the way to Wednesday’s game.
But after Williamson missed his first two free throws against the Bulls, he felt something was off.
“I feel like I was thinking about it,” said Williamson. “I feel like when I missed the first two I started to think I might be doing a lot of things wrong. I’m probably talking to Fred [Vinson], and Fred would probably say, “Oh, you didn’t load correctly” or “You didn’t track it properly.” That’s Fred. I think I thought about it when it was probably just a small thing and it probably would have gone in. “
Williamson eventually missed his first four free throws, but hit seven of his next eight. But he went 1-of-4 off the line in the fourth quarter, including missing two with 1 minute and 23 seconds to go, that could have cut Chicago’s lead to two as the Pelicans tried to catch up by 19 points. to erase.
The Pelicans fell behind due to their puncture defense, which has been a concern for New Orleans throughout the season.
Fixing that – more than any other individual or team offensive problem – is what the Pelicans need to focus on if they are to keep fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“For us at the moment, our offense is fine,” said Williamson. “But we just have to defend four quarters well. We have our moments when we play well for 3½ some games or we play great for four, but tonight we started the game slow.
“That was really the tone. I know we hear a lot with our defense, but we have to do it. I still feel like we’re close. It’s the NBA. Winning isn’t easy. But I trust my teammates and my coaches, and we’re going to find it and we’ll work it out. “