CGTN Sports Talk: Will the Pelicans become a dark horse in the NBA?

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CGTN Sports Talk EP182 New Orleans Pelicans.mp3

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The New Orleans Pelicans have good reasons to eye for something bigger than an NBA playoffs berth as Zion Williamson is coming back in likely good health for the 2022-23 regular season.

Last season, they beat the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament and then almost forced the Phoenix Suns into a corner in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pelicans have astonishing offensive aggressiveness and offensive rebounding ability, to both of which Williamson can add even more. However, the team was also one of the worst in spacing. The arrival of Williamson, who shot at lower than 70 percent at the free throw line, is only likely to make it worse.

What's there for the Pelicans to do to exploit the amazing potential of Williamson without being hurt by his shortcomings?

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for photos on Media Day at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 27, 2021. /CFP

Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans posts up in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28, 2022. /CFP

C.J. McCollum (#3) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28, 2022. /CFP

Jonas Valanciunas (#17) of the New Orleans Pelicans competes for a good rebounding position in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28, 2022. /CFP

Host: Li Xiang

Guest: Matthew Watson

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

Chief editor: Chen Ran

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei

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