Zion Williamson Looks Jacked As Hell And Ready For A Monster Bounce Back Season

Jesse D. Garrabrant. Getty Images.

I think it's fair to say that things haven't exactly been great for Zion Williamson recently. For the last year or so he's been going viral for basically all the wrong reasons. Injuries, out of shape, some girlfriend drama, it's been a wild ride, to say the least. You almost forget that Zion actually had an All Star season in 2022-23 (despite only playing 29 games). When he was on the floor, he was a monster

But that's sort of the story of his career right? When he's healthy and active, he's a franchise altering talent. The problem is mostly around the fact that you have no idea how often that's even going to happen. That certainly didn't stop the Pelicans from giving him a 5/197M extension that begins this season, because what choice did they have? All you can do is cross your fingers and hope this is the year things finally break your way.

Based on how Zion is looking heading into the season, this might be the year we finally get it

I know it's only August, but I feel like this might be the most in shape we've ever seen Zion, even during the actual basketball season. Looking at those pictures I'm not sure if that's a new age PF in the NBA or a DE for the Saints, but that's what makes Zion so exciting to watch in my opinion. He shouldn't be able to fly through the air like he does with his body type, but he does. Does that look like a guy you want to deal with on the block? No chance. 

For the Pelicans to actually make any noise, I think the goal should be for Zion to simply repeat his 2020-21 season. Play 61 games, put up 27/7/3.7 and shoot 61% from the floor. Add in some improved 3P shooting (36.8% last season), and that should be enough to get the Pelicans into Top 6 contention if the rest of their roster is healthy. I mean they were 42-40 with only 29 games of Zion last year and there is real talent on that roster heading into 2023-24. Being able to add a healthy and in shape Zion into the mix is obviously going to have a major impact.

And honestly, after all the shit that was made public this summer, I'm rooting for a huge bounce back revenge season for Zion. The league is better when he's on the floor, and that's really all I care about. I have no personal rooting interest in the Pelicans, I just enjoy watching the best of the best play and you forget Zion is only 23 years old. He hasn't even come close to hitting his NBA prime years yet and is already an unstoppable force, as long as he's on the floor.

So while we see these types of posts for a ton of players every summer, just search Ben Simmons right now on Twitter for example, I'm choosing to believe in Zion's work because I already know what he can do when he's on the floor. It's not like he has the yips, he just has shit injury luck. I just hope he put some work in to strengthen his feet/lower legs and all the stuff that's given him issues these last few years, because we as fans deserve another 60+ game Zion season. 

Hopefully that's what we're about to get.