Zion Williamson‘s NBA debut last season was delayed by knee surgery and he dealt with minutes limitations upon returning, but the Pelicans forward said he has “no restrictions” for the 2020/21 season, according to Andrew Lopez of ESPN. Williamson’s comments came shortly after new head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters that the former No. 1 pick easily passed his conditioning test and had “no limitations” in practice.
“Me and Coach Van Gundy have talked and from what I know now, there are no restrictions,” Williamson said. “None.”
As a rookie, Williamson was often limited to four- or five-minute “bursts” and found himself being subbed out of games at key moments. He’s looking forward to playing for longer stretches and hopes to look more like his old self this season, as Lopez details.
“I want to show that I’m a basketball player. I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do on offense or defense no matter what it is to win. I’m just a competitor,” Williamson said. “When I’m healthy and competing, I’m just a different kind of player. I think that’s the player everyone fell in love with.”
Here are a few more health updates from around the NBA:
- Having undergone an MRI, Magic swingman Terrence Ross has been diagnosed with a minor, non-displaced hairline fracture in his left big toe, the team announced today in a press release. Ross is continuing to participate in non-contact work during practices. According to the team, his return to full contact will depend on how his toe responds to treatment.
- After the Nets announced over the weekend that Nicolas Claxton is dealing with right knee tendinopathy, head coach Steve Nash said today that he expects the second-year big man to be out for “weeks,” tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
- The two Warriors players who tested positive for the coronavirus aren’t expected to be able to participate in group practices until next week at the earliest, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. The identities of those two players are still unknown.
Can’t wait to enjoy a fully healthy Zion this year!
As a rookie he was beyond stellar & out of this world, for the limited time he had… imagine if he can play much more this season, this guy is gonna scorch the league!
I can only thing of Embiid, Simmons, Ayton & Luka been as good as he was in his rookie year in this last decade!
It’s still strange how Ben Simmons won ROY honors after his 2nd season.
Even though Donovan Mitchell actually was a rookie that season, he lost.
Simmons didn’t play.
And Blake Griffin did the same to John Wall…David Robinson sat out 2 years before becoming the ROY…Joel Embiid missed 2 years and still received votes…what’s your point?
Larry Bird also won the rookie of the year 2 years after being drafted, same as Simmons and the players mentioned by specialfriedrice. Arvydas Sabonis was drafted in 1986 but played in the 1996 Rookie all-star game. The Simmons/Mitchell situation in not unique or an asterisks, it is in fact the fairest decision that could be made when a player does not play straight after getting drafted
Sarcasm?
Totally needless sarcasm
I agree El don. It’s going to be awesome to watch… this guy is a freak of nature. Can’t wait to see Zion this season.
Who do you guys think will win the ROY this season?? (Please give one guess from the West and one from the East if you would be so kind..lol)
For me, it is really a toss up. I’m not entirely sure who I ultimately see winning, or who is even the best set up to win the award..
I think Wiseman and Ball will probably get the most coverage, but my pick for the East is actually going to be Toppin..With that said, I think Wiseman probably wins the overall award. For me, he just has the easiest path to success right away. Wiseman will come in already having a defined role, and he should instantly put up some good rebounding and block numbers. Plus, I think with Steph and he running the PnR, he should get some easy looks, which should provide him with enough points per game to win the award..
It is really a crapshoot though, to be honest. Hell, we could see a guy like Maxey for the 76ers come in and do work for a contender similar to what Herro did for the Heat last season..Toppin will most likely get the best opportunity to be his team’s leading scorer, if there is a guy from this draft, so there is that scenario as well..
The only thing about Wiseman is I think they might bring him along slowly. Plus the Warriors have Looney & Marquese Chriss plus Draymond 5 man in small ball. Wiseman won’t get the usage of a some other guys. Lamelo ball will probably play a lot right away and get big time consideration for Rookie of the Year. Maybe toppin will get a lot of playing time with the Knicks?
Out west, who’s going to play a lot? My stab in the dark might be Devin vassell with the Spurs.
Vassell is skinny, and Popovich had Keldon Johnson & Samanic spend the year in the GL. And the Spurs could have used Keldon. So I doubt Vassell gets the minutes.
Edwards & Toppin.
You’re probably right on Devin vassell. But I don’t think it’ll be Anthony Edwards either. The guy is going to shoot a ton and his percentage the first year or two is going to be south of the NBA Mendoza Line… That’s 41% fg, and I just made it up right now.
no one out west. how bout cole anthony or vernon carey because of playing time opportunities.
@bravesfan88… I do agree with your post.
My choice for the EC is gotta be LaMelo Ball that is easy.
For the WC is gotta be Wiseman, but as Gary said I don’t think he will have enough a chance to show up this year.
My wild car would be Avdija, how ’bout that?
& my wildest card would be Poku, how ’bout that?
I think Halliburton, Toppin & Okongwu will have real good seasons… meanwhile Edwards, Williams, Okoro & Vassell will be very disappointing!
I forgot I also like Cole Anthony backing up Fultz in ORL that can be veeery interesting!
Zion was overweight at the bubble. Yeah coming back from injury. Not a good sign for me. He won’t last at his weight. This sport ain’t built for that. NO better get him a chef and change his diet. He’s naturally thick. But his legs won’t take the pounding over the yrs. Did you see Barkley at end of his career. He should not be over 260 LBs.
Al, I wonder if his knee prevented him from working out cardio? I know personally it’s easy to gain weight and tough to put the fork down if I’m not running. LOL