New Orleans Pelicans chief David Griffin has leaped to the defence of Zion Williamson after claims that he chose to sit out games and did not want to play across the final months of the season.
Williamson has been on the end of criticism in recent weeks after missing significant time once again this season through injury.
The Pelicans were eliminated from play-off contention after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the first stage of the Play-In tournament, with Williamson missing the game after suffering with a nagging hamstring issue over the past few months.
Surprisingly Williamson was able to take part in pre-game warm-ups, and somewhat shockingly performed a windmill dunk - showing off to those in attendance.
Understandably it led to many asking why he was not able to feature in the all-important, win-or-go-home game alongside his teammates - with some questioning his true desire to be on the court.
But Pelicans vice-president of basketball operations Griffin defended Williamson after the loss in the team's exit interview. He said: "He wasn’t physically cleared to play. He was playing one-on-none.
"He went up and windmill dunked pre-game. That’s not the skill set that makes you capable of playing skilled, five-on-five basketball. He was never cleared to play five-on-five basketball. So, for people to now say, ‘He chose not to play basketball,’ that’s nonsense.
"He was never cleared to even play three-on-three full court."
Williamson missing time has been the story of his NBA career to date, since being drafted first overall in 2019 he has missed at least 48 games in three of his four seasons with New Orleans.
Next season, the 22-year-old is set to begin the first year of his huge extension, after signing a five-year, $195 million deal to remain with the franchise. It's a huge investment on the player who has only managed 114 games in his four seasons in the league - but one the Pelicans are happy with.
However, Griffin has admitted that Williamson must do a better job in getting himself healthy.
Griffin said: "A big part of it is on him. There is a lot he can do better. And he would, I think, tell you that. He’s certainly owned up to that.
"We need to do a better job of maybe examining the whole situation top to bottom. We’re not intentionally not doing the right things. So, I think finding a way to put him in the best situation to succeed is important and his participation in that is a big part as well."
