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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans’ experiments with Zion Williamson as their primary ball handler this season are mostly aimed at getting a kickback and pushing it up or with the team throwing dead balls and free throws.
But Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, with starting point guard Lonzo Ball with a hip injury, Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy decided it was time for a heavier dose of “Point Zion.”
“Tonight we just decided we were going to play him on the spot all night,” Van Gundy said. “At least as long as he could go. He had the ball in his hands the whole time and had the ability to make plays and everything else.”
The result was perhaps the best game of Williamson’s career: 37 points (two of his career highs), a career high of 15 rebounds and a career high of eight assistants, all in a 101-94 victory.
“He played the game the way you have to play the game. He was just great,” Van Gundy said.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williamson (20) became the youngest player in league history to have at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in an NBA game.
“It just feels natural to me,” Williamson said of having to put the ball-handling duties on his shoulders. “I’ve been playing the game since I was 4. At this point it just feels natural. I’m still learning, but certain things just feel natural.”
While the Pelicans really started leaning in early February in Williamson as the initiator of the offense, Friday’s game was a big difference. According to data from Second Spectrum, Williamson raised the ball 35 times, the most he has done all season. His previous best was 25. He also increased it 12 times in the fourth quarter, equaling the most he had in a single quarter.
Williamson said his confidence has grown over the past two months and acknowledges his stepfather, Lee Anderson, and Pelicans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon was also partly responsible in the fourth quarter for Williamson’s pull-up jump on the baseline that landed the Pelicans’ bench in a mess.
“Yes, I have it in my suitcase. I’m just, that’s what [Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] said, that I want to be a perfectionist, “Williamson said.” I want to get the closest and easiest chance. But my teammates and especially T-Spoon. She said, ‘Z, just give me one. If you do not like it, you do not need to shoot it again. ”
“When I shot it, it felt good. I like the result, to be honest. She told me every game, but tonight she was just, just give me one. I tried. And it worked.”
While the Pelicans are necessarily out with Williamson on Friday with Williamson, it’s something New Orleans will visit regularly anyway.
“We want to give him more experience with things going forward because I think that’s where his future is in this game,” Van Gundy said. “I really do.” He just needed repetitions and more and more, and we increased that throughout the year and gave him more and more opportunities. We want to give him more going forward. We will try to build more things for him. ‘