There is optimism around the New Orleans Pelicans for this upcoming season, as they enter a new era under the superstardom of Zion Williamson.
Gone are running partners C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram, who helped Zion carry the leadership load throughout the seasons, but he’s ready to fill that void with the support from his coaches and teammates.
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Leading by example
The Pelicans arrived in Melbourne, Australia, two nights ago to kick off their preseason campaign. It was the first time the general public saw the revamped and rejuvenated multi-time All-Star following his incredible physical transformation this summer.
While Williamson has openly admitted his new physical conditioning will help him produce on the floor, Damien Peters of Basketball Network asked him what his role will look like as the team’s out-and-out leader moving forward.
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“In terms of the leadership role, my teammates and my coaches trust me to step into that role and that position as a leader,” he said.
The time is now
It’s no secret the Pelicans are an inflection point in their history. As injuries have continued to decimate the roster year after year, an array of new faces arriving in Louisiana are hoping to stop the injury bug and catapult the franchise back into playoff contention.
Two of those new faces are former Golden State Warriors teammates Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney – both who bring championship pedigree to a squad that desperately needs an injection of experience during periods of adversity.
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It will also be on the shoulders of Zion to steer the ship, who himself missed 52 games last season. A key objective is not only to stay on the floor and lead by example, but also to be the commanding voice in the locker room and have a calming presence on the floor.
Still just 25 years old, it looks as though the organization is looking to their franchise cornerstone to lead them out of the storm and back up the standings.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.