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We All Know Why This is Happening
Zion Williamson is back!
The NBA has returned and let’s just face the reality of the situation. Yes, money and revenue have a major role. Yes, the NBA needed to find a way to finish the season.
But the honest truth? The NBA needed to find a way to return its next coveted prize in Zion Williamson to basketball. And they crafted the most unique way possible in the least hidden secret by creating a play-in tournament opportunity.
But that’s not all.
If, in fact, the New Orleans Zions… I mean Pelicans, can’t find a way to qualify for the play-in tournament, the NBA will give the team a chance to play five nationally televised games.
We get it NBA, trust me. We all want Zion on a national stage.
Mr.2k21 Zion Williamson will need to bring his A-game going into the bubble opportunity with the spotlight on him.
Things to Know, Questions to Answer… Zion Williamson did WHAT??
To go along with megastar Zion Williamson, the Pelicans will run with an entire returning roster. As of now, the Pelicans have been virtually quiet in any issues surrounding players and the COVID-19 situation.
Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram will be relied upon heavy with the Pelicans seeking a chance to play in the playoffs for the first time in the Zion era.
However, head coach Alvin Gentry’s health will be an area to monitor after recently being cleared to return in connection with COVID-19.
One of the youngest rosters in the league could have a brand new Zion Williamson. It has been reported that he has toned up even more taking full advantage of the three-month layoff. We could see an even more incredible version of Zion filled with even more highlights.
The question now focuses on the other players mentioned earlier. Pre-COVID, Ball was having his best season yet most notably from the 3-point line as he shot 39%. Can he continue that impressive shooting season from deep?
Ingram enjoyed an All-Star year averaging 24 PPG, 6 RPG, and 4 APG. Ingram’s numbers took a slight hit during Zion’s 19 game return. The united struggled to mesh with attributed to the losses. The Pelicans went 10-9 during the stretch.
If the Pelicans can mesh quickly, the three-headed trio of Ball, Ingram, and Zion Williamson should enjoy success during this run. But with little playing time and rushed season, we will just have to wait and see.
The Schedule
The Pelicans will play in a eight game schedule that looks handed down from the NBA higher ups themselves.
At a neutral site in Orlando, a matchup on TNT with the Jazz will start off the rotation. With the Jazz dealing with Rudy “Jokes on You” Gobert and what could be a massive chemistry issue, the Pelicans could easily steal an opening day game.
The next two games should present the biggest challenge as they play Kawhi Leonard and Paul George by matchup with the Clippers before a must-see rookie-on-rookie matchup with Ja Morant and the Grizzlies.
Then the schedule takes a massive drop with three matchups with the Kings, the Bradley Beal-less Wizards, and an end schedule matchup with the Magic.
Prediction
It’s very unlikely we see the Pelicans snag the eighth seed.
But making the play in tournament should be zero problem at all. The Pelicans should finish no less than 5-3. 6-2 should be the goal seeing how blessed a schedule they have.
The eighth seed matchup for a potential run at the playoffs should be against the Grizzlies if Memphis can survive a brutal schedule.
The NBA wants another iconic first-round matchup like MJ and the then eighth seed Bulls against Larry’s first seed Celtics in ’86 where Bird iconically called MJ “god disguised as Michael Jordan” after he dropped 63 in game two.
