James Borrego expects the ‘reinforcement’ of Zion Williamson soon

The proud New Orleans Pelicans they endured a challenging start to the season, overcoming a series of injuries that tested the depth of their roster. However, while the team waits to get back to key contributors Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones in the coming weeks, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the franchise. Zion Williamson is becoming a walking bucket from December 14th, she encouraged the entire organization during the holidays.

James Borrego has he was not shy on expressing his enthusiasm for what he’s seen from Williamson of late. The 25-year-old looked rejuvenated on both ends of the floor, playing with a confidence and aggression that reminded onlookers of his immense potential.

“It was great. (Williamson) looks great,” Borrego began. “His spirit is right, his mind is right. He looks fresh, aggressive and really confident right now. So that’s a bright spot. We just have to build on that. That’s a positive. We’ll get a boost soon. We just need (Sion) to keep playing at that level.”

The timing of Williamson’s strong play couldn’t be more important for the last-place team. In the last eight games, he is averaging 27.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. With the Pelicans (8-28) struggling to stay competitive in a tough Western Conference, their top-performing cornerstone provides a foundation to build on when Murray and Jones return to action.

What’s especially encouraging is that Borrego believes this represents one of Williamson’s best basketball performances in some time. When asked to compare it to previous seasons, the interim head coach was tight-lipped about the overall grade.

“What I can tell you is he’s as good as I think he’s played in a while,” Borrego noted. “I can’t stress you last year. I’ve seen this before, but in recent history this is probably the best. Mentally and physically he looks very strong right now.”

That mental and physical strength is exactly what the Pelicans need as they cruise through the rest of the season. Williamson has dealt with his share of injuries throughout his career, which makes his current solid state all the more significant for a team struggling to find continuity.

While the Pelicans await the return of their reinforcement, all eyes are on Zion Williamson to maintain his excellent form. If he can continue to play with the same spirit, confidence and physical dominance that characterized his recent performances, New Orleans will have the foundation necessary to make a serious move once their roster is complete.