(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Just a few days ago, many people were talking about the promise of the New Orleans Pelicans and the expanding abilities of Zion Williamson.
But Thursday night’s harsh loss to the Los Angeles Lakers exposed some glaring problems with the team and Williamson himself.
Shaquille O’Neal and the rest of the NBA on TNT crew spoke about Williamson’s lackluster game, according to a video shared by ClutchPoints.
O’Neal pointed out a few problems with Williamson, including the fact that he “does not run hard” and that he “doesn’t have that look.”
“Tiger Woods had that look. Jack Nicholson had that look,” O’Neal said, before adding that he was once “just like him.”
“This is not a diss, this gonna be a lesson from one great big man to another guy… He doesn’t have that look… Tiger Woods had that look. Jack Nicholson had that look… I was just like him.”
Shaq on Zion Williamson’s play on the court.pic.twitter.com/MWFH4jdIFu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 8, 2023
O’Neal agreed that Williamson could still be one of the best players in the NBA, but if he wants that to happen he will need to make some major adjustments to his game.
He will have to read the floor better, look for his teammates more, take smarter shots, and focus on rebounds.
O’Neal was clearly very disappointed that Williamson doesn’t use his intimidating size to gain more rebounds for the Pelicans.
Sure enough, he only grabbed two boards during the devastating loss to the Lakers.
It has been an interesting season for Williamson so far, with him changing certain things about his style and essentially playing like a point guard.
There are obviously some growing pains with these changes and they were painfully evident on Thursday.
Next for the Pelicans will be a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
The Timberwolves have one of the strongest and most intense defenses in the league so Williamson will face yet another challenge during that game.
Will he listen to O’Neal and start making the modifications that are needed?
The post Shaq Explains Why Pelicans Star Hasn’t Reached His Potential appeared first on The Cold Wire.