Zion Williamson at the Pelicans Media Day: “I Know I’m in the Right Place”

Zion Williamson and his New Orleans Pelicans are about to start the new chapter in NBA history, and the player talked about that at the Media Day this Monday. The No.1 pick from this year’s draft and one of the biggest (if not the biggest) prospect in the league since LeBron James’ arrival has high expectations.

Even though he knows that the situation is about to get serious, due to the league’s soon start, Zion is aware that right now he is living his childhood dream.

“I’m very excited. This is what the dream was all about. Making it to the league and having an impact. And the impact starts tomorrow,” said the rookie from Duke University.

The reporters wanted to know numerous things, and the Pelicans’ forward was asked all sorts of questions. He answered all of them with a broad smile on his face, suggesting that he loves being in front of the cameras. For some that might be pressure, but not for this youngster. Williamson spoke about the fact that everything he’s been doing so far was pretty much fun for him, and that despite what many think, he isn’t feeling any stress or anything similar.

“It’s having fun. I think when people look at what I’m doing, they’ll say it’s pretty stressful, but I’m having fun with it.”

The Pelicans’ previous project with Anthony Davis didn’t work out well. One of the most dominant centers in the history of the game couldn’t transform this franchise into a title contender. Partially it was because of the management whose strategy wasn’t good enough, as they made the wrong choices when picking AD’s teammates. Now, with David Griffin in charge, it appears that the Pelicans’ have a much better starting position than before.

Zion is surrounded by guys who are his generation but also has several experienced veterans who will guide him throughout his development.

“I know I’m in the right place, with Drew and JJ and E’twaun Moore, since I’ve been here, they’ve been giving great advice whenever they think I’m overthinking things which seem stressed.”

With Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, plus other rookies Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans is loaded with potential. And that is what makes this team so interesting. They will be one of the most hyped crews in the past decades, and that will be additional pressure on Zion. He is expected to be the leader of the team, although he is just 19 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxOZ925xm7k

The process of his growth will be exciting, but also hard and tough. The league and the opponents won’t be kind to him, and he needs to learn fast. According to his words from today’s press, Zion is more than willing to learn and adopt the bits of advice from his teammates and all those who want to help him.

“I want all the advice I can get because everybody has different perspectives so like if I can get advice from multiple perspectives, I can find a way to bring it together and find out what is best for me.”

The preseason for the Pelicans and Zion starts in eight days. Their first rivals are going to be another young and talented team, the Atlanta Hawks in Georgia. After that New Orleans travels to Chicago to meet the Bulls, before coming back home for his first-ever game at Smoothie King Center on October 12.

Pelicans open the season against the reigning champions, Toronto Raptors in Canada on October 23.