James Borrego now brings Zion Williamson off the bench to ‘optimize his playing time’
It’s hard to miss, but it’s now two games since Pelicans to use Zion Williamson as the sixth man, even though he should be the main player of the team (until the transfer?).
Strong side selection James Borrego, new coach New Orleanswho doesn’t want to take any chances with his All-Star interior, which increases the number of clinic visits like no other.
« Communication is fluid between the two of us and we want to optimize our playtime » he assureson the sidelines of the match against the Rockets. ” It made sense to him and to me. That allowed him to finish fresh (Sunday night) and because we won the match, that helps us. »
Which ultimately brings to mind the words of Zion Williamson, delivered this weekend in chicago : « It was a game plan that allowed me to finish the match, with the playing time my body was used to in certain parts of the quarter. The coach explained all that to me and it didn’t cause me any problem, because it allowed me to finish the match. The pace was pretty good, but above all I’m happy that we won. »
A sacrifice that means a lot
Accounting-wise, this is two wins anyway for the Pelicans, who are riding a three-game winning streak! And for Zion Williamson, this gives 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists on average (44% shooting and 78% free throws) on a statistical level, on average in 24 minutes.
« If you take him off the bench, it will be easier to endure the end of the match in the fourth quarter. » adds James Borrego, successor to Willie Green. ” Don’t rush to put it back in the game or take it out. He becomes more delicate in the last quarter when he goes into the match with a bang. But his minutes will vary in the following matches and he will be able to return to his usual place. »
For the first time in his career, Zion Williamson is learning not to start games anymore and this is the type of behavior that James Borrego really likes.
« If you are a team player and only think about winning, then you are ready to accept these kinds of things » he then assesses. ” If guys are willing to make sacrifices, that’s a positive for our culture and our team. In the end… It’s a question of trust: do the players trust you and do I trust my players? This is the type of communication I currently have with them. They trust me and I trust them. »
| Zion Williamson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | NO | 24 | 27:50 | 58.3 | 42.9 | 64.0 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2020-21 | NO | 61 | 33:13 | 61.1 | 29.4 | 69.8 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| 2022-23 | NO | 29 | 32:58 | 60.8 | 36.8 | 71.4 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 26.0 |
| 2023-24 | NO | 70 | 31:32 | 57.0 | 33.3 | 70.2 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 22.9 |
| 2024-25 | NO | 30 | 28:34 | 56.7 | 23.1 | 65.6 | 2.5 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 24.6 |
| 2025-26 | NO | 12 | 29:45 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 72.7 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.7 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2025-12-19 11:33:00
