Zion Williamson regarded ‘superb’ and ‘dominated’ crew scrimmage, says New Orleans Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced

METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Pelicans opened coaching camp on Tuesday with two practices, a morning session adopted by one within the night.

By design, the morning session was lighter. The night session had a scrimmage portion that was going to be the primary intense 5-on-5 work for Zion Williamson with the crew since Could 2020.

One would count on somebody to have some rust in that state of affairs, however Williamson is not simply any somebody.

“Z regarded superb,” Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced stated on Wednesday afternoon. “His power, his velocity. He dominated the scrimmage just about.”

Williamson instructed reporters on Tuesday that he was excited for the 5-on-5 apply as a result of as a lot as he might work out in the course of the offseason, it was exhausting to simulate 5-on-5 work in opposition to extremely gifted gamers.

“What stood out was his power greater than something,” Inexperienced stated. “He obtained down the ground rapidly. When he caught the ball, he made fast selections. Whether or not it was scoring, discovering a teammate. It was actually spectacular to see.”

Williamson’s teammates stated he took full benefit of the work that he was capable of put in.

“He seems like Z,” Pelicans ahead Larry Nance stated. “Dude hasn’t performed basketball for 500-something days. It isn’t like none of us expect that instantly however shoot, I obtained to be trustworthy with you, dude seems good. It should take time for everyone to regulate to him. It should take him time to regulate to everyone, but it surely’s exhausting to not be impressed.”

Nance stated he spoke to Williamson within the locker room afterward and requested him if he realized that he did not miss a shot. Williamson instructed him he hadn’t even considered it.

“He seems like the identical wrecking ball everyone knows and love,” Nance stated. “Very happy to say the least.”

Inexperienced stated that the Pelicans largely used their projected beginning lineup in scrimmages final night time — Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones and Jonas Valanciunas — however will swap issues up some Wednesday night time after they return to the ground for his or her second consecutive set of two-a-days.

Whereas Nance has performed in opposition to Williamson earlier than and Inexperienced has coached in opposition to Williamson, the Pelicans have a number of gamers who haven’t had an opportunity to play with Williamson since he was injured all of final season.

Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado, a part of final yr’s rookie class with Jones, obtained their first actual on-court have a look at Williamson.

“Robust. Very sturdy. And in addition able to play,” Murphy stated when requested how Williamson regarded. “I’ll say that. That is all I’ve to say.”

Alvarado stated it did not seem like Williamson had missed a lot time in any respect.

“I believe Z is such a particular participant,” Alvarado stated. “However a participant we are able to adapt to. He does not want the ball instantly. He’ll discover his approach. He tailored rather well. It regarded like he is been taking part in with us for some time.”