Zion Williamson

2022 - 10 - 7

Post cover — Image courtesy of "ClutchPoints"

'Don't let him fool y'all': Zion Williamson vocal on Jose Alvarado (ClutchPoints)

Jose Alvarado may have earned his reputation for his steals, but as New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson said, he is more than just that.

He knows how to make himself a threat. He had multiple double-digit scoring despite his limited role, even once exploding for 23 points in a loss against the San Antonio Spurs. Naturally, Williamson was all smiles for his teammate after that performance as he noted how the Puerto Rican is more than capable of being a “threat” to any opponent.

Pistons Stall Out, Pelicans Win Preseason Home Opener (Sports Illustrated)

The Zion Williamson-led New Orleans Pelicans danced all over the Detroit Pistons in the team's preseason home opener in the Smoothie King Center.

That will be the last warm-up exhibition before things get serious and count for the standings on October 19 when the Pelicans travel to face the Brooklyn Nets. On the other hand, fouls on Williamson led to the Pelicans being in the Bonus at the 4:28 mark of the first quarter. He’s just watching the work that these guys are putting in, and he’s doing the same thing. The Pelicans do not win without his spark off the bench. The Georgia Tech alum had 24 points and 5 rebounds in 28 minutes. [Pelicans Open Practice Pumps Up Most Loyal Fans](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans/nba/new-orleans-pelicans-open-practice-pumps-up-most-loyal-fans) [Pelicans Sign Larry Nance Jr. Jose Alvarado was the most exciting player of the night. Garrett Temple and Dyson Daniels held Jose Alvarado lead the second unit. Daniels had 6 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds in 30 minutes. [Pelicans](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans) took a while to get out of second gear in their preseason home opener. Williamson struggled early, missing several layups in traffic though claims for a few fouls were justified. CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones were all listed on the injury report and watched the game from the bench but there are no worries about them missing any regular season action.

Photos: Jose Alvarado and Zion Williamson lead Pelicans to ... (NOLA.com)

The Pelicans beat the Pistons 107-101 on Friday in their only preseason game on their home floor.

How will the Detroit Pistons slow down Zion Williamson? (PistonPowered)

Like the Knicks, the Pelicans boast a big front court, with Jonas Valanciunas at center and Zion Williamson at power forward. The Pistons started Isaiah Stewart ...

If not, it’s going to be long night for the Pistons, as this New Orleans’ team attacks the rim and tries to bury teams in the paint. But the job will likely fall on Bogdanovic in the beginning of the game, so he is going to have his work cut out for him. The Pistons’ best-bet is probably Isaiah Stewart, but then who is going to play center?

Pistons rally but can't complete comeback vs. Pelicans; plus ... (The Detroit News)

After trailing by more than 13 points in the second half, the Pistons rallied but ran out of gas in a 107-101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday ...

Hayes, Stewart and and Bey led the team in boards with X each. By the midpoint of the first quarter, every Pistons starter had knocked down a 3-pointer except Bagley. However, he struggled from distance for the rest of the game and missed his next five attempts. He ended the game with 23 points, seven rebounds and five 3-pointers. He contested a fadeaway by Valančiūnas and blocked another in the first quarter. Duren dominated the glass during his preseason debut with 14 rebounds. Turnovers were a problem in New York, and the giveaways continued in New Orleans. The Pistons were outscored 50-31 for the remainder of the second half and ultimately had to play from behind. There was a shakeup in the starting lineup on Friday night. Every starter had knocked down a 3-pointer to begin the game save for Marvin Bagley, who was inserted into the lineup to match the Pelicans' formidable frontcourt of Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas. For the second consecutive game, the Pistons had 22 turnovers. Jose Alvarado led the Pelicans in scoring with 28 points and had five rebounds.

Jose Alvarado puts teachings of Tony Parker on display in Pelicans ... (The Bird Writes)

Jose Alvarado topped 20 points just once in 54 games during his NBA rookie season, dropping a career-high 23 against the San Antonio Spurs last March.

Not only does he play the game with amazing zeal and an unrelenting motor, Alvarado shows a deep understanding of how to get better. Williamson scored 13 points in 20 minutes but struggled immensely from the free throw line (3-12). Speaking of learning, Dyson Daniels continues to show just how far he’s come since his predraft workout with the Pelicans. Who says the preseason doesn’t count for something? He possesses incredible heart, and as we continue to learn, the intelligence to utilize every resource at his disposal. Some may argue this performance occurred in a meaningless preseason game, but realize the Pistons were trying to win. “Jose is hard to describe, but you just know he’s going to bring that passion and energy to the game that you would want to see from anybody,” Zion Williamson said. “He’s 19 and to have that level of maturity is pretty spectacular to see. He just keeps playing.” Alvarado’s incredible shotmaking from among the trees clearly stood out in New Orleans second preseason win. “He knows how to make himself a threat. Don’t let him fool y’all, he just had 28 (points) and how many rebounds?