Zion: 'I'm trying my best to buy in' to Pelicans' new offense
Amid a slower individual start to the season, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson admitted he's still adapting to the team's new offensive system.
"Right now, it's tough," Williamson said, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. "I'm taking a little bit of a back seat right now. I'm trusting the process. I'm trying my best to buy in right now."
The Pelicans dropped their fifth straight contest of the season, squandering a 4-1 start with a 136-124 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Williamson recorded 18 points, four assists, two rebounds, and six turnovers.
The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging a career-low 21.6 points per game despite shooting a similar number of field-goal attempts compared to his breakout second season.
New Orleans' offensive system this season has been dictated by pace. The Pelicans rank 10th in the metric, an improvement from 16th the season prior. However, the team is still struggling to score, ranking 28th in offensive rating and 27th in points per game.
"It's a long season," head coach Willie Green said. "It starts with our main guys. We have to get up and down the floor faster. ... We have to get some easy baskets, especially with some guys being out."
The Pelicans have a chance to get back in the win column in another contest against the Mavericks on Tuesday.