3 things Zion Williamson has to work on during the 2021 NBA off-season

#2 Defense

Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans: Bam Adebayo (#13) boxes out Zion Williamson (#1).

One of the knocks on Zion Williamson’s game is his attention to detail at the defensive end of the court. His size and athletic ability are huge attributes, but he has plenty of work to do to become an above-average defender, at the very least.

This season, Williamson was a poor closeout defender and was not a very good rim protector for the New Orleans Pelicans. Moreover, he sometimes seems distracted in defense and is slow to react on switches.

Opponents would invariably have an easy time getting to the rim with Williamson in front of them, which needs to change.

BLOCK of the Night: January 23rd👉 Zion Williamson of the @PelicansNBA pic.twitter.com/iI518OJPPv

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) January 24, 2021

If he’s working with the New Orleans Pelicans on improving anything at all this off-season, Williamson could be a much better player by being more attentive at the defensive end. Hiring a trainer to work with him regularly, both mentally and technically, could do wonders in helping him address this weakness.

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#1 Rebounding

Zion Williamson (#1) pulls down a rebound against Dejounte Murray (#5).

For a player of his heft and explosiveness, Zion Williamson is a poor rebounder. NBA legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who at 6' 6", once led the league in rebounding, has expressed disappointment that Williamson isn’t a better rebounder.

At 284 pounds and with a leaping ability that would put many lighter players to shame, Zion Williamson averages only 7.2 rebounds per game. Part of the reason for his lack of boards is his inability to watch where an opponent’s shot will fall if it misses while he looks to box out his man.

Though defensive rebounding is also a skill, this weakness in Williamson's game is so glaring that it deserves to be brought to the fore.

.@Zionwilliamson gets the rebound and goes coast-to-coast for the two-handed jam! pic.twitter.com/p5Afcyerqk

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 24, 2021

Zion Williamson’s defensive rebounding should go up from 4.5 to 7.5 next season, at the very least. He could easily become a double-double machine in his third season if he develops a feel for the game at both ends of the floor.

Not only will Williamson be a better player, but the New Orleans Pelicans will also be much improved, and he could potentially get a taste of the playoffs next season.