West Notes: Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Grizzlies, Kings

Pelicans

Power forward Zion Williamson seemed to indicate he’s a little frustrated with the way things are going in the early season.

“Last year, we had a team meeting and we brought up some things I can do better, especially with buying into the program,” Williamson said, via Will Guillory of The Athletic. “Right now, it’s tough. I’m taking a little bit of a backseat right now. I’m trusting the process. I’m trying my best to buy in right now.”

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports suggested that some of the blame falls on Williamson, “who is averaging 21.6 points a game on 51.5% shooting — good numbers for most players, but career lows for Zion (last season pre-injury he averaged 26 points a game on 60.8% shooting).”

• Forward Larry Nance Jr. has suffered a fractured rib and will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days the team announced.

Grizzlies

Several encouraging signs emerged from the Grizzlies’ road win over the Clippers on Sunday, wrote Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“We’re having our bumps on the road but we’re scraping,” coach Taylor Jenkins said, via Cole. “That’s the biggest thing, our guys are coming in with the right mentality, and the right spirit every single day despite the record and understanding that we’re right there and we’re trying to push the right things defensively and the standard we talk about.”

• In the same piece, Cole wrote that the addition of Bismack Biyombo has been paying dividends already — as “Biyombo’s activity has made the Grizzlies a bigger threat on both the offensive and defensive glass.”

Kings

Coach Mike Brown tried to stay positive during the Kings’ uneven start to the season, though they won two straight entering Monday’s home game against the Cavaliers.

“It’s just a matter of keeping them uplifted and staying as positive as we can with them,” Brown told reporters, referring strictly to Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray. “But also pushing them in other areas. I pushed them both to defend. I pushed them both to rebound. I pushed them both to do the little things. And if you’re open, to shoot the ball, because I believe in it. If I believe in it and I’m telling you to shoot it, even if you’re 1-for-10, then that should give you the comfort level to want to shoot it.

“Those guys get all the credit because they’re the ones who have to figure out mentally and physically how to make that thing go in, especially when it’s not. … They’ve continued to try to find other ways to help us find ways to win ballgames even if their shot isn’t going in.”

• Point guard De’Aaron Fox (ankle) was set to make his return against the Cavs, per Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
• I wrote more about Brown and his time coaching the Cavs in my latest pregame dribbles. You can check them out here.