The schedule of nationally televised games for the upcoming season indicates that league officials are still skeptical about the prospect of a full year from Zion Williamson, writes William Guillory of The Athletic. Not counting games on NBA TV, the Pelicans will play in front of a national audience just 11 times — six on TNT and five on ESPN — which ranks 13th in the league. New Orleans was featured 10 times last season, Guillory notes, and 20 times in Williamson’s rookie season.
Williamson, who signed a max contract extension last month, is reported to be healthy after missing all of last season following surgery on his right foot. However, his physical condition will always remain a concern after he managed just 85 combined games in his first three seasons.
Guillory notes that the league can always flex the Pelicans into more national games if they get off to a strong start, but both they and Williamson have a lot to prove before that might happen. Even though New Orleans is coming off an exciting playoff run, the team was only 36-46 during the regular season and doesn’t have a lot of national appeal without its star player.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The way Williamson is utilized will be among the most important questions for the Pelicans, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com. This will be the first chance for Willie Green to coach Williamson, who was a primary ball-handler under Stan Van Gundy. Other topics Clark identifies as important are the battle for backup point guard minutes, the roles for Larry Nance Jr. and Jaxson Hayes and whether Trey Murphy is ready for more minutes in his second season.
- The Spurs will play four home games in sites other than the AT&T Center, the team announced in a press release. In addition to hosting the Heat in Mexico City on December 17, San Antonio will return to its former home in the Alamodome on January 13 and will play a pair of games in Austin on April 6 and 8. The games are part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Hosting these four games is part of our vision to purposefully engage and celebrate our entire Spurs following from Mexico to Austin, while fostering the next generation of fans,” said RC Buford, CEO for Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
- The Grizzlies will be on national TV a franchise-record 18 times, notes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. They will be part of the NBA’s traditional showcases on both Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Day.
Having the 13th most primetime games isn’t really a “snub” in my opinion. Sure, New Orleans’ ceiling may be higher than that, but heading into the season, ranking them about 13th best in the league is appropriate
Which of THESE guys would you take if you could have them for the rest of their career, 2023 Zion Williamson, 1987 Karl Malone, 2016 Anthony Davis, 2003 Pau Gasol or 1969 Elvin Hayes?
I would go 2016-17 AD or 2020-2021 Zion. Probably AD cause of the rim protection but Zion really averaged 27 points on 61% shooting.
at 20yo. He’s half MJ, half Shaq fr
No Malone cause I would like my team to be able to bring their children into the facility without worrying.
Sank having seen them all I would have to go with the big E. Relentless rebounding, unstoppable turnaround jumper,physical and with a touch of nasty I love in my big men.
“Touch of nasty I love in my big men” you got to Pause that, gramps.
Did you come up with the name lucky all on your own or require help.
Extremely true about Big E. Same exact things could be said about Mailman too
The Mailman has more that a “touch of nasty” in him.
Lucky doesn’t appreciate ” touch of nasty ” gramps should say physicality. Agree with you Taco on the mailman.
Malone was on that LeBron juice
You need some of that.
Hard to pass on AD here. But, I’d go with the Mailman.
Gasol in a run away. To big for some. To skilled for others.
I guess there is no ‘national appeal’ to a team with multiple lock down defenders and a very exciting shooting guard. Does that mean that casual fans just want to see teams launch 3 pointers?
I suspect the league will be adding Pels games this season, that is a very good team. Saw the game before and second game after the McCollum trade and the energy was like night & day. They are going to surprise some people.