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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Pelicans striker Zion Williamson was unhappy with his 128-124 loss to Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
Williamson had 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists and again shot over 50% of the field. He even tried a maximum of 16 free throws. However, the problem was that he only made eight of them – and missed two crucial ones on the stretch.
So instead of going through the normal post-game routine, Williamson went out on the floor at Smoothie King Center and took additional photos.
He started his shooting routine under the goal and went back to the free throw line. He had to make at least 10 in a row before moving on to seven different points around the 3-point line. When all was said and done, and at least 100 photos or so later, Williamson spent 40 minutes working on his technique before speaking to reporters.
When asked why he came out, his answer was simple.
“You saw the game, man,” Williamson said.
He explained that this is not new to him, although he has never done it on the arena floor before. He likes to find another gym, he says, and will get shots after losses or even victories sometimes.
But Wednesday’s game felt different.
“I really felt like I was letting my team down, man,” Williamson said. “It’s like I’m telling you all, I’d never want to disappoint them. All free throws can’t come down like that. I have to be better in those situations. If I want to be one of these great players, I have to “I take a lot of responsibility and be prepared for those moments. Immediately after the game, I felt I had to go back on the field and find my flow.”
Improving his free throw was a key point for Williamson, who entered the season after shooting 64% of the line a year ago. After starting roughly, scoring 53.1% in his first four games, Williamson and Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson began work on his shot.
In February, Williamson’s free-kick percentage was up to 74.6%, and 70.7% went to Wednesday’s game.
But after Williamson missed the first two free throws against the Bulls, he felt something was out of the question.
“I feel like I’ve thought too much,” Williamson said. “I feel like when I missed the first two, I started thinking that maybe I was wrong about a lot of things. I’m probably talking to Fred [Vinson]and Fred would probably say, “Oh, you didn’t upload correctly” or “You didn’t follow correctly.” This is Fred. I think I reconsidered it when it was probably just a small thing and it probably would have come in. “
Williamson ended up losing his first four free throws, but hit seven of the next eight. But 1 out of 4 came out of the line in the fourth quarter, including the lack of two 1 minute, 23 seconds ahead, which could have reduced Chicago’s lead to two as the Pelicans tried to clear a deficit of 19 points.
The Pelicans were left behind due to their leaking defense, which was a cause for concern throughout the season for New Orleans.
Solving this problem – more than any individual or team offensive problem – is the focus of the pelicans if they want to continue fighting for a place in the playoffs in the Western Conference.
“For us right now, our crime is fine,” Williamson said. “But we just have to play an excellent defense for four quarters. We have our moments when we play great for 3½ some games or we will play great for four, but tonight we started the game slowly.
“That was really the tone. I know we hear him a lot with our defense, but we have to do it. I still feel close to him. It’s the NBA. Winning is not easy. But I trust my teammates and coaches. , and we will find it and we will realize it “.