Zion Williamson’s Time Is Now

The spotlight on Williamson has only intensified in recent weeks.

“It’s absolutely crazy, really, where every hotel, every restaurant — everything that we do — there are just a ton of people there that want to see him,” Gentry said. “And I think he tries to accommodate as much as he possibly can. But obviously, it’s impossible to stop and sign every autograph and everything like that. But he tries to do the best he can.”

The great concern, of course, is his health. Each game doubles as a physiological litmus test: Did Williamson avoid injury? Because no one this big should be this dynamic. At 6 feet 6 inches and 284 pounds, he seems to defy logic, gravity and biomechanics, and the Pelicans’ medical staff has worked with him on his ability to land with less force. Every time he emerges from another game with all of his limbs intact, it builds confidence — among the viewing public, at least — that his style of play might just be sustainable.

“We’re still in a position of thinking long-term with him,” said Gentry, who has limited Williamson’s playing time to 28.4 minutes a game. “We want to be able to have him for 15 years.”

One month into his career, Williamson is making an impression. The Pelicans want it to last.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/sports/basketball/zion-williamson.html