Pelicans president offers comment on Zion Williamson's fitness

The New Orleans Pelicans do not seem to be hiding their frustration over Zion Williamson's inability to play, particularly when it comes to the fitness issues that are contributing to his absences.

Pelicans president David Griffin defended Williamson on Friday while also offering a tempering statement. He pointed out that the big man was never medically cleared to play following his hamstring injury. Griffin also was clear in stating that Williamson must do better in terms of putting himself in the best possible position to recover from such issues.

“I think a big part is on him,” the team president said, via Christian Clark of NOLA.com. “I think there is a lot he can do better. And he would, I think, tell you that. I think we need to do a better job examining the whole situation top to bottom a little bit better.”

Griffin did fire back at those who felt Williamson was choosing not to play -- an opinion which took hold in some corners following his pregame exploits ahead of the Pelicans’ season-ending loss on Wednesday.

While nobody necessarily blames Williamson for the hamstring injury which has limited him to just 29 games played this season, his fitness issues do not help with a quick recovery. Perhaps this is part of why one of his teammates seemed to have a pointed message for him.