When Zion Williamson was at Duke, he was all about basketball.

His games were must-see TV and he captivated the world with his jaw-dropping highlight after highlight.

After one year at Duke, he declared for the 2019 NBA Draft and, to no one’s surprise, was selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans—arguably the worst possible landing spot given their medical staff’s reputation.

Since then, the narrative around Williamson has flipped on its head. He has played more than 60 games in a season just twice in his six-year NBA career and his weight is often brought up as the reason for the frequent injuries that he has suffered.

Yes, Williamson has been spectacular when he is on the floor, having earned two NBA All-Star appearances already despite his frequent absences, but the world still yearns for more. With his tantalizing mix of athleticism, physicality, and skill, he should be considered a top-ten player in the NBA, yet by no means is he even close to this territory at the moment.

This season is on track to be the worst one for the Pelicans since Williamson’s arrival in 2019. New Orleans’ 19-51 win-loss record is the fourth-worst in the league and puts them in a strong position for this year’s Capture the Flagg bonanza. Williamson’s availability–or lack thereof–is a major reason why this team’s campaign went off the rails as early as November. 

Following a 2-0 start to the season, it was all downhill from that point on for the Pelicans. Williamson suffered a left hamstring strain early in November and did not return until January. By then, New Orleans had already racked up 30 losses and their chances of making it to the playoffs were miniscule. 

As the Pelicans faded out of the postseason race, the conversations about the team naturally went in the same direction. With the limelight now as far as it could be from New Orleans, Williamson, who is still only 24-years-old, has rounded into form. He is averaging 24.6 points per game this season–the best among any of his non-All-Star seasons–together with career-high numbers in rebounds (7.2), assists (5.3), steals (1.2), and blocks (0.9).

Williamson’s elite athleticism continues to produce jaw-dropping moments, though what’s been most impressive about his recent play are the things that he has done while on the ground. The decision-making of Williamson has improved by leaps and bounds, allowing him to become an even more effective playmaker for the Pelicans as evidenced by his assist numbers. He has become the heart of New Orleans’ offense and if this team is ever to become a legitimate contender, it behooves them to go all-in on running their offense through Williamson.

The team’s most recent outing–a 119-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves–teased at their potential with Williamson running the show. In only 30 minutes of play, Williamson racked up 29 points on 12-of-16 field goals, five rebounds, a game-high eight assists, and three steals. He was everywhere—drawing defenders, making nifty passes, and refusing to back down from any challenge.

On a night where he shared the floor with Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, who has been dubbed by many as the next face of the NBA, it was Williamson who looked like the best player on the court.

Indeed, he does have the potential to be one of the league’s premiere players for as long as he is healthy. This rebuilding season of the Pelicans may ultimately go down as a blessing in disguise for their future. These seemingly meaningless games over the final stretch of the regular season provide Williamson with a low pressure environment to get his body right, rebuild his confidence, and rediscover himself.

If things break their way, New Orleans has the pieces to be a playoff contender in the West next season. Their current roster may not be perfectly built to maximize Williamson, but with a generational talent such as him, the likelihood of him figuring out a way to make things work is as high as it could be. 

The combination of his gravity, court vision, and physical tools makes the impossible possible for the Pelicans when he is on the floor. What’s scary for the rest of the league is that Williamson is still only 24 years old and has yet to enter his prime. Sooner or later, everything will click for him—and when it does, it will be a sight to behold.