Opinion: Zion Williamson's knee injury deflates Pelicans, NBA season before it begins

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans tried to slow the Zion Williamson Hype Train.

A troublesome right knee brought it to a screeching halt.

Not only will Williamson miss the Pelicans’ season opener Tuesday at Toronto (8 p.m. ET, TNT), he will miss about six-to-eight weeks after undergoing surgery Monday to address a torn right lateral meniscus, the team said in a news release late Monday afternoon.

So what was billed as a marquee lid-lifter features the defending champion Raptors without NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and the Pelicans without the most touted rookie since LeBron James.

Williamson's absence puts a damper on opening night and the first two months of the season. He was already a must-see attraction and his debut will have to wait until sometime near Christmas.

The Pelicans' growth will also be stunted because Williamson is such a big part of their present and future, and though the Pelicans still have talent to win games, the excitement around their season crashed before it even began. In the deep Western Conference, New Orleans is a borderline playoff team, and without Williamson even for six-to-eight weeks, it makes postseason goals that much more difficult.

But for the Pelicans, Williamson means more than one season. Yes, they want him on the court as much as possible, but his long-term health – and we're talking multiple seasons – is far more important than two months worth of games. New Orleans needs to be cautious. There's no other way around it. There's just too much at stake.

Everyone involved in the NBA wanted to see his debut Tuesday, the most anticipated since James played his first game for Cleveland in 2003. That includes networks TNT and ESPN. The Pelicans are on national TV, including NBA TV, nine times the first five weeks.

Williamson will eventually play, but this absence invites larger questions about his health. He was injured at Duke, was held out of summer league games as a precaution after sustaining a bruised left knee and now this. Individually, each issue is not a big deal. Collectively, though, are these signs of the potential for long-term health problems?

He is an explosive big man (6-6, 285) who puts pressure on his knees and feet and that has resulted in lingering health problems for other players. Greg Oden is the extreme example and Amar'e Stoudemire is an example of a player who had knee injuries but forged a productive career. Then, there's James, who has been relatively injury free despite his combination of size, power and quickness.

A person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that Williamson avoided a major knee injury in his next-to-last preseason game last week. The person was granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about Williamson's health.

There’s a valid reason for the pall that befell the NBA upon this news. Williamson had an impressive preseason, averaging 23.3 points and shooting 71.4% from the field, including 12-for-13 in one game. He showed off his powerful dunks, ability to score with great efficiency and a crafty game that includes finesse.

Yes, it was just the preseason. But Williamson is a significant reason the Pelicans should be fun to watch and possibly make the playoffs.

“Some of it is what we suspected,” Gentry said of Williamson’s game. “His body control is unbelievable, avoiding charging fouls and things like that. I didn’t know he had that in his game. Just the poise that he has. Never really seem(s) to get upset or anything. That seems to be a really big asset for him, too.”

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The early returns on Williamson since training camp opened have been fantastic. Williamson has confidence without being arrogant. He displays genuine humility. His magnetic, easy-going, fun-loving personality, electric smile and thoughtful answers add to the attraction.

Williamson is asked often about pressure –  the same question he fielded during his one season at Duke. The answer each time is similar.

“I just be myself,” Williamson said. “I’m not going to change who I am because there was a time when I didn’t have all this and I was the same person.”

But what about all the hype?

“I don’t pay attention to it at all,” he said. “I think the moment I start letting the outside noise dictate my game, something’s wrong. … I don’t watch much TV. I just play my game. I play the game I love. People try to add unnecessary pressure. ... My game is to go out there and win. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m ready to do it.”

Well, not quite.

The Pelicans have been impressed with Williamson’s approach since they drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in June.

"He’s touched by the hand of God to play the game," said David Griffin, the Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations. "When you get to see that happen and you get to see that start to come together, it’s fun. We’re just in this sort of early stages with this right now.”

And despite how the Pelicans try to spin it, Williamson is at the center of their plan. With their investment in Williamson as both player and person, the Pelicans will remain cautious with his return. They don't want a situation where this knee issue lingers or turns into something worse, which would be problematic for the franchise that has potential to be a significant factor in the Western Conference in the future. 

“He’s still 19, a very young 19,” Griffin said. “I think Zion is finding more comfort just with himself as a man, as a person. And that’s really important to us. We don’t have expectations that we are hoisting on him with the players. It’s really about finding himself, finding comfort with his teammates, finding his role and we’re blessed. All Zion wants to do is win.”

Now, we're just waiting for the Zion Hype Train to start rolling again.

Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.