Zion: Pelicans handled playing time 'very well'
The New Orleans Pelicans received criticism for having Zion Williamson on a minutes restriction both after an early-season injury and an extended absence from the bubble during his rookie campaign. However, Williamson says he had no issues with the club's decisions.
"There were a few rough patches where I was trying to get a rhythm," Williamson said Thursday, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "That's part of the game and part of coming back from injury. But you know, I feel like the coaches and training staff handled it very well. Just to be able to play one minute in an NBA game, I'm grateful for that."
Williamson's physique was also a talking point during the 2019-20 campaign. At 284 pounds, he was tied with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the fourth-heaviest player in the Association.
Although Williamson excelled during his first NBA season, he acknowledges that he can make improvements on the court and in the weight room.
"I'll talk to my coaches and see what I need to do better from their point of view," Williamson said. "Talk to my player development coaches as well, see what I need to do better from their point of view. Just work on every part of my game and work on getting my body where it needs to be."
Williamson won't play in the Pelicans' final seeding game against the Orlando Magic. He was recently named one of three finalists for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award after averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 boards, and 2.1 assists across 24 appearances.
The Duke product made league history earlier this season when he became the first teenager to score 20-plus points in 10 consecutive games.