7:44 PM ET
Andrew LopezESPN
For New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, the time he spent in quarantine made him feel like a kid.
To prepare yourself for the NBA season, Williamson stated he exercised with his stepfather, Lee Anderson, when he wasnt rehabbing with Pelicans staffers. Williamson, 20, treasured that time as he attempted to stay as basketball-ready as possible.
” It simply felt like I was 5 years old again,” Williamson stated Friday. “Just went back to square one, attempted to get my body where it requires to be, get my basics back to square one and begin from there.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry stated Williamson “looked terrific” as the team returned to full practice for the very first time in four months on Friday afternoon near Orlando, Florida. Gentry also credited Anderson for the work he finished with Williamson while the Pelicans were far from each other amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
1 Related” His stepfather did a wonderful job of working him out every day, of making him remain in great conditioning when we got him back,” Gentry said. “Hes made a lot of strides in his shooting, I believe. Although we werent together, he did a lot to enhance his video game.”
In his very first NBA video game Jan. 22, Williamson went on a scoring barrage in the 4th quarter when he went 4-for-4 from 3-point range, bringing the Smoothie King Center to its feet. In the 18 games that followed, Williamson went simply 2-for-9 from deep.
A glimpse at Williamsons shot chart reveals that he has been dominant around the rim and hasnt done much of anything in the midrange. Could that be altering as the NBA season restarts?
” Yeah, I think there are going to become part of my video game that you didnt see prior to that youll see when we start playing,” Williamson stated.
Gentry, 65, got word from the NBA on Wednesday that he was cleared to take part in the resumption of the season. There was doubt as to whether Gentry would be held out, but after an evaluation and array of tests, he was cleared to coach in Florida.
” As I stated, its been tough on everybody,” Gentry said. That was my supreme goal, is to be here and coach my team, and thats where I am right now.”
He would have been the third Pelicans coach who didnt make the trip if Gentry hadnt been allowed to go. Associate head coach of defense Jeff Bzdelik and assistant coach Jamelle McMillan remained back– Bzdelik, 67, on the suggestions of group physicians and McMillan to stay with his newborn child.
Gentry said that although Bzdelik will not be present, hell still be involved in the groups defensive strategy.
” It may be from afar, however hes going to be involved in every practice,” Gentry stated. “Hes going to be involved in every game. Hell be associated with every game-plan scenario. Hes not here from a physical viewpoint, but he will still be associated with everything that we do down here.”
Still, Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday said it will be a modification not having Bzdelik and McMillan on the bench.
” I believe for the most part, specifically towards the beginning of this quarantine, towards the end when we were stopping, we began to get into a groove defensively,” Holiday said. “Ill tell you I feel like we attempted to select it back up.
” It simply felt like I was 5 years old again,” Williamson said Friday. 1 Related” His stepfather did a great task of working him out every day, of making him be in good conditioning when we got him back,” Gentry stated.” As I said, its been hard on everyone,” Gentry said.” It may be from afar, however hes going to be included in every practice,” Gentry said.” I believe for the most part, especially towards the beginning of this quarantine, toward the end when we were stopping, we started to get into a groove defensively,” Holiday said.
