"I will not let them down": Zion Williamson accepts Joe Dumars' toughness

Zion Williamson faces his seventh training camp with the New Orleans Pelicans with a renewed sense of commitment and the conviction that the arrival of Joe Dumars could be a turning point in his career. The 25-year-old player acknowledges that he wants and needs Dumars' toughness, the vice president of basketball operations since April, to bring him to a higher standard of discipline and responsibility.

“I like Joe; what you see is what you get,” said Williamson. “He will hold me accountable and at the same time give me a lot of responsibility, which excites me. I know that if I stray, he will be there to correct me.”

The career of the 2019 number one draft pick has been marked by inconsistency. Although averaging 24.7 points per game and delivering countless spectacular plays, injuries have hindered him: since his debut, he has played 214 games but missed 268. This constant absence has deprived him of making his playoff debut, while the Pelicans have been eliminated in the first round in the two instances they managed to qualify without him.

Dumars and coach Willie Green claim to have seen a change in the power forward this summer, highlighting his physical and mental commitment. Williamson has worked on routines that include boxing and on-court workouts, supervised by performance director Daniel Bove. “I really felt a change in my body. It feels good to feel good,” confessed the player.

His teammates also notice the difference. Trey Murphy III mentioned seeing Williamson in the best shape ever during preseason and in a positive mental state. For Dumars, however, the challenge is not just physical: he has reminded Zion that greatness requires work ethic, discipline, and leadership, including being the team's voice to the press in difficult times.

The Pelicans are coming off a disappointing 21-61 season, hit by injuries to several key figures. During the break, Dumars bolstered the squad with Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole, 2022 champions with the Warriors, aiming to bring in a taste of successful experience.

Aware of Dumars' trajectory as a player and championship executive, Williamson is motivated to step up. “Greatness is every day, even when you don’t feel like it. My commitment is to do what my team needs,” he affirmed.

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