Further complicating matters, sources said, was that Williamson and his camp didn’t trust Griffin to be truthful. Griffin preached “family,” “love” and “accountability” to team staffers once in a slideshow presentation. Yet he began to blame then-coach Alvin Gentry for the Pelicans’ poor start during his first season. As the Times-Picayune and Advocate reported in September, Griffin went so far as to remark to someone in the organization, “I give Alvin all the answers to the test, and he still fails” — a comment that caused a heated exchange between Gentry and Griffin in October, according to Bleacher Report.
Source: CHRISTIAN CLARK @ New Orleans Times-Picayune
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Of f*cking course the Zion float is stuck in front of @MasonGinsberg and me – 7:44 PM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: @Andrew Lopez on what the heck is going on with Zion/future of the Pels, then @ Jon Krawczynski on the weirdo Wolves tweaking their defense, making a playoff push, and re-engaging the fan base:
Apple: apple.co/3hguKe4
Spotify: spoti.fi/3HhnHN4 – 5:48 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Pelicans’ CJ McCollum defends Zion Williamson: ‘Leave the young fella alone’
cbssports.com/nba/news/pelic… – 5:39 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Disconnect between Zion Williamson, Pelicans reportedly due to lack of trust with David Griffin nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/24/dis… – 5:00 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
CJ McCollum and Zion have spoken. When the Pelicans’ young star is ready, McCollum said the team will welcome him back “with open arms.”
“He’s a guy who can move mountains,” McCollum said. nola.com/sports/pelican… – 4:45 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live!
🏀 Unanswered questions with Zion
🏀 Why the freaking Knicks?
🏀 Is anyone free of blame?
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzTh35
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBESaga40 pic.twitter.com/MRlA4r2zt4 – 3:30 PM
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
CJ McCollum on Zion: “Leave the young fella alone. He’s trying to rehab in peace, trying to get himself ready to come back. We spoke and I’ll spoke to him later this week or next week.”
Added: “He’ll be healthy eventually and when he is we’ll welcome him with open arms.” – 3:08 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
CJ McCollum on Zion Williamson: “Leave the young fella alone, man. He’s trying to rehab in peace, right, and get himself ready to get back. We spoke and I’ll speak to him next week to catch up with him. He’s a very talented player and he’s going through a lot.” 1/2 – 3:07 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
Zion Williamson on IG pic.twitter.com/q3Q7pegUmy – 1:33 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Zion Williamson’s latest post to his IG stories pic.twitter.com/LWMAQvk08z – 1:19 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live!
🏀 Unanswered questions with Zion
🏀 Why the freaking Knicks?
🏀 Is anyone free of blame?
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzBFEv
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBES9YyFq pic.twitter.com/H4iew0HzC4 – 12:59 PM
Chad Ford @chadfordinsider
Teams w/ most players in our Top 25 under 25
Cavs: Mobley, Garland, Allen
Hawks: Trae, Collins, Okongwu
Grizzlies: Ja, Jackson
Thunder: Shai, Giddey
Hornets: Ball, Bridges
Pelicans: Zion, Ingram
Players 11-25: https://t.co/ZeBFSwOX6d
Players 1-10: https://t.co/M10lynKiYU pic.twitter.com/QabmL0Jcsk – 12:41 PM
Matt Babcock @MattBabcock11
I’m looking forward to attending the Gary Rhoades Classic tomorrow at Aurora Central HS in Colorado, where I’ll see some of the country’s top young talent, including Adem Bona, M.J. Rice, Zion Cruz, J.J. Taylor, and Robert Dillingham, among others. pic.twitter.com/OyoFV8SmfX – 12:06 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live!
🏀 Unanswered questions with Zion
🏀 Why the freaking Knicks?
🏀 Is anyone free of blame?
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzBFEv
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBES9YyFq pic.twitter.com/fi8iqRfIm0 – 11:30 AM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live!
🏀 Unanswered questions with Zion
🏀 Why the freaking Knicks?
🏀 Is anyone free of blame?
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzTh35
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBESaga40 pic.twitter.com/l3gAQLaRnn – 9:47 AM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
New: How do you explain the disconnect between Zion and the Pelicans?
A lack of trust.
Specifically, a lack of trust between Zion and his camp, and David Griffin. nola.com/sports/pelican… – 8:54 AM
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Zion is Latest Proof that Being a No. 1 Pick Requires More Than Talent shows.acast.com/bucher-and-fri… via @acast – 4:33 AM
Dave Mason @DeuceMason
Felt GREAT to be back after a week.
Talked Kings final 22 games, LeBron in LA and what’s going on with Zion?
P.S. My Razor Ramon intro was elite
🔊: https://t.co/gUFGeNL0u3
📺: https://t.co/NcIfj4mi1B pic.twitter.com/rKr0PQ0MiE – 12:11 AM
More on this storyline
In the lead-up to the 2019 draft, rumors spread that Williamson wanted to land with the New York Knicks — supposition Redick didn’t pour cold water on. But since coming to New Orleans, the detachment Williamson has shown with the Pelicans, sources inside and outside the organization have often cited, is because of a lack of trust. -via New Orleans Times-Picayune / February 24, 2022
Specifically, they have pointed toward a fracture. On one side is Williamson and his camp. On the other is David Griffin, the Pelicans’ lead basketball decision-maker. In early January, the Pelicans announced Williamson would continue his rehabilitation from right foot surgery away from the team. Williamson and members of his inner circle traveled to Portland, Oregon. No Pelicans employees accompanied them on the trip, sources said. -via New Orleans Times-Picayune / February 24, 2022
Williamson frequently showed up late to rehab work during his rookie season. His unique body type makes it imperative for him to diet and train rigorously, which he has failed to do since being drafted by the organization. He showed up to training camp in September well above 300 pounds, sources said. Ideally, one team source said, Williamson would play games at 265 pounds. -via New Orleans Times-Picayune / February 24, 2022