The New Orleans Pelicans have been searching for answers, only to deal with more questions with each discouraging loss. A four-game losing streak, defensive breakdowns, and a 4-8 record have left first-year coach Jamahl Mosley with little to celebrate. However, Zion Williamson's willingness to embrace uncomfortable moments, shoulder responsibility, and lead through adversity is becoming a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing start. It may not lead to a third NBA All-Star Game appearance, or much credit from the skeptics, but the buy-in is definitely getting noticed.
An embarrassment (145-111) against the Brooklyn Nets was another reminder of how far these Pelicans are from establishing any winning consistency. It was the team's second consecutive loss by more than 30 points, following a franchise-record 51-point defeat against the Golden State Warriors. Williamson stepped up though, scoring 29 points (12-14 FGA) through the traditional bully ball method. It actually led to some favorable whistles, going 12-14 from the free-throw line to match the field goals.
More importantly, he showed a level of buy-in the Pelicans desperately need to get through this rough patch.
“He had a level of aggression that we needed. And I told you, Zion’s been doing anything and everything he can do to help, to figure out a way to help this team win, whether that’s guarding, that’s getting more rebounds, that’s defending multiple players, attacking the basket, taking open shots when he has them, and not being afraid to step into those moments,” Mosley told ClutchPoints. “That’s what he’s trying to do, and I think that’s big for him to be able to continue to do that because he understands what it takes in these moments to try to figure out a way to get a win.”
Williamson’s raw numbers (21.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) are down from a year ago, even though he is playing more (32.7 minutes per game). The overall production remains below the standard Williamson established during his early All-Star campaigns, particularly the 2020-21 season when he averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
There are encouraging developments, however. Williamson is shooting a career-best 62.2% from the field and was leading the NBA in steals (2.0) at one point. He has also made four of eight attempts from beyond the arc and has protected the ball better than ever (career-low 1.9).
Mosley has repeatedly emphasized a committee approach, distributing offensive responsibilities among Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Trey Murphy III, and Saddiq Bey. That philosophy requires everyone to sacrifice some opportunities while remaining aggressive when the game demands it.
Article Continues BelowIt's a tough balance in a star driven league, one that requires leadership without the guarantee of individual recognition or team success, even though Williamson will be asked to face the music after every game. After the Brooklyn blowout, the 26-year-old was the first to face the uncomfortable questions from reporters, acknowledging the frustration rather than attempting to dismiss another humiliating result.
“The silver lining I'm hoping we can find is to just remember this feeling,” Williamson told ClutchPoints. “If you don't like feeling like this after a game, if you don't like going home like this, like, that's what takes me back to you've got to look in the mirror and ask did I do what I need to do for my team? And if you feel like you can't say that, then go what can I change? What can I do better? Go ask the coaches; coaches can ask players, whatever it is, because nobody likes to feel like this. Nobody wants to lose like this. It's unacceptable.”
Looking in the mirror will provide some anwsers. A glance at the schedule will bring up more of those tough questions. The next four games to close out the homestand all come against contenders. Then it's off to see the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in a road back to back. How Williamson and Mosley wind their way through that guantlet will likely determine the team's direction for the rest of the season, All-Star Weekend and Trade Deadline included.