When Zion Williamson arrived at Pelicans media day last year, there wasn’t much optimism around the New Orleans star. He was recovering from foot surgery, and the timeline for his return was shady, at best. On top of that, he didn’t look ready for NBA action. He ended up missing the entire 2021-22 season.
Monday’s appearance at media day couldn’t have been more different.
Williamson showed up to the Smoothie King Center in what appeared to be the best shape of his NBA career. He was noticeably trimmer and looked stronger. Williamson’s trainer, Jasper Bibbs, had hyped up Zion’s physical transformation in a recent article with the The Athletic. And he wasn’t kidding: Zion looked great. He looked healthy. And most of all, he looked happy.
"I'm in the gym and something happens and I'm like 'Oh man, I can really do that! That's different!'" 😂
Zion's been feeling good on the court lately
(via @PelicansNBA)pic.twitter.com/ShBqyRvxaP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 26, 2022
Zion lookin’ healthy! We here pic.twitter.com/FIdK3dq5Ol
— Zion O. (@DukeNBA) September 26, 2022
Zion is so significantly thinner than last year at this time. Honestly kind blown a bit. This dude has done everything for said he was. So👏 damned 👏 Hyped👏. @PelicansNBA going to be a menace pic.twitter.com/TNKCAv9ubT
— Christopher Price (@topherp33) September 26, 2022
Just wow. The difference is undeniable.
In just three NBA seasons, Williamson had already missed 141 games. So, something needed to change to keep him on the floor. NBA fans were understandably thrilled and excited to see that Zion appeared ready for the upcoming season.
This was how Twitter reacted
He's ready. https://t.co/A3yiTr9W0C
— Javier Molero (@JavierMoleroo) September 26, 2022
👀👀👀 that’s not a shape we’ve seen Zion in since Duke https://t.co/v6azkNNxtG
— Great Value Luka Doncic (@bhimbert1213) September 26, 2022
ok betting the house on Pels winning the title https://t.co/4zE8pBFBcC
— Votto 🇨🇫🐅 (@Votto007) September 26, 2022
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Cameron Indoor Stadium Zion back https://t.co/bf6kCOgSen
— Red Bull Racing F1 Fan Account (@FlyoutChase) September 26, 2022
I’m insanely proud of this dude. I think with Willie Green and CJs leadership he could be a monster this season. +4000 odds to win MVP… he could do it https://t.co/I7dWQDy9x7
— Tobias Barkley (@TobiasBarkley) September 26, 2022
Pels are going to be a top 4 seed in the West if healthy. Watch https://t.co/mtzEXhRObo
— Wayne | Tronics (@Tronicssystem) September 26, 2022
Happy to see the dude happy. That's the main thing that came through during his time at media day today. Seems super happy right now. https://t.co/WpgsqBGNUg
— evanem (@evanempdx) September 26, 2022
Proud of him https://t.co/59rTFC15FP
— Mekhi (@Khi_oken) September 26, 2022
This dude bout to jump over the rim https://t.co/8Cl7BAaO7H
— Fazed (@laffnsmokn) September 26, 2022
Watch out, NBA. He’s back.
