NBA hulk Zion Williamson is yet to play a single NBA game, but his debut is arguably one of the most anticipated in recent years. Part of the hype on Williamson is his size and heft, which he seems to carry with no issue despite perceptions of being overweight. He is a freak, and the Pelicans confirmed there is nothing normal about the big man.
Those words were from New Orleans general manager David Griffin, who reported that Williamson is doing great working on his recovery following an offseason knee injury. In fact, the GM shared the incoming rookie had a muscle gain of eight pounds, and that was achieved without adding on his overall weight.
On the last check, the NBS listed Williamson as a 285 pounder and 6-6 vertically. If the report from Griffin is true, the hefty Pelicans became even more menacing when deployed on the floor but not necessarily heavier, Yahoo Sports reported.
There was no magic there as Griffin said Williamson underwent a heavy weightlifting routine for one whole week, and he achieved the targeted goal. What happened proved a surprise to the Pelicans staff, which they can only interpret as close to "freakish."
In simple terms, Griffin declared: "He's not normal."
Truth be told, the report recalled that Williamson was a college hotshot, and he dominated the game, and the way he played, considering his heavyset built, was just beyond normal. It was no surprise that the NBA took notice, so when Williamson entered the draft, easily he was the No. 1 pick.
However, injury got the better of the 19-year-old, and critics said his uncontrolled weight was to blame. Griffin dismissed the allegations as unfounded and pointed out poor physical state was not the reason Williamson had hurt his knee during an offseason practice, according to Bleacher Report.
It's just that Williamson is entirely different in the aspect of his body built, the Pelicans GM explained.
"He's just a very unique body type and certainly from a physics perspective," Griffins was reported as saying.
He added New Orleans is working around on this uniqueness in the sense that Williamson is only expected to continue growing since he is a young man. The team is attempting to manage this by making sure that the player will remain strong and flexible while undergoing the natural growth process.
Griffins said the hard work of New Orleans to make Williamson as optimal as possible will be in full display when the young player finally steps on the NBA floor for the first time on January 22. Williamson and the Pelicans will be going against the San Antonio Spurs.
