The Joe Dumars era is in its early stages for the New Orleans Pelicans, and he will try his best to make this team his own, but one task still remains from the previous regime: getting the most out of Zion Williamson.
No one has been able to question what Willamson brings to the court. For his career, he is averaging 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per night while shooting an efficient 56.7% from the field.
The problem is that he has played in just 214 games over six years. An average of 36 games per season is not the start to a career that a franchise cornerstone wants.
It has led to everyone involved being left frustrated pretty much around the clock. Constant questions about the star's effort, buy-in and overall desire to work out with the Pelicans have certainly not helped. Something must change.
Enter: Dumars. A Shreveport native who has seen it all. He was a college star, a first-round pick, had a 14-year career in the league, won two championships as a player and one as an executive. He has also led plenty of teams that have not worked out as well.
If there is someone who can still reach through to Williamson, see his perspective, and perhaps get him onto the other side of this miserable stretch early in his career, it's Dumars.
"The main thing I've talked to [Williamson] about is just responsibility and accountability," said New Orleans' new president of basketball operations. "There's a difference between talent and great. Those are two different things. You can be talented without any responsibility. You can't be great."
Getting through to him off the court seems like the way to go. Especially for someone like Dumars. The executive is the namesake of the NBA's yearly sportsmanship award, the Joe Dumars Trophy.
Early results have been positive, but only time will tell if it sticks.
"I can tell you he's been great. Zion has been great. I've not had any issues with him. He's been working extremely hard," said Dumars. "I've seen him, probably for the last month, in and out of the practice facility. Really, really pushing himself hard.
Figuring out the Williamson conundrum could be the key to getting this team back to having serious playoff expectations.
The basketball world has been extremely critical of Dumars early on his tenure, mainly due to the draft night trade, but even just one season of Williamson living up to his potential would have doubters quiet.