New Orleans Pelicans Losing Medical Staffer Credited With Zion Williamson Turnaround

The New Orleans Pelicans are set to lose a major staff member as Director of Performance and Sports Science Daniel Bove is leaving the team for a role with the Philadelphia Flyers, per Shamit Dua of In the NO.

Staff members don't always get extensive looks when they leave, but this is a big deal, given the role that Bove has played in Zion Williamson's big year and cleaner bill of health.

Here is the full, extensive praise that Williamson gave Bove earlier this year at media day, when he walked in looking like he was in the best shape of his career:

"I've got to give that praise to Daniel Bove, a trainer with the [Pelicans]. Last year, while I was rehabbing my hamstring, me and him sat down and had a conversation. He was like, Z, we need to figure this out. Like, when you come back from rehab, we want you to be better than before it happened. What are some things you like to do? How can we make the workouts in a way to where you're having fun and you're really enjoying it? We came up with a plan from boxing to working out on the football field a lot. During that timeframe last year, I really felt a shift in my body to where I would look at him and go, dude, it feels good to feel good. I haven't felt like this since college, high school."

Williamson has now played in 34 straight games, which is by far the longest stretch of his career. He had never played in 30 straight games before this year and played in just 30 all of last year.

The health turnaround has been great for New Orleans. It has made the looming decision of trading him or keeping him this offseason a little bit tougher, but it should also raise his value a little bit if they do decide to move on.

No matter what, it's clear that Bove is a big loss. He has been with the Pelicans since 2020, joining after being in the same role with the Phoenix Suns. He's now leaving basketball for the first time since 2016.