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The NBA world got itself into a tizzy this week over reports that New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was re-learning how to walk following surgery on his knee.
You might be wondering what’s going on here. Let’s get you caught up.
Who is this now?
Zion Williamson, who was a star at Duke, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, and now a rookie who has been injured most of the season.
Was he the one with the dunks?
One and the same.
What happened to him?
Williamson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee earlier this season. He’s been out of the lineup since, which has really hurt the Pelicans, who are losing a whole boatload with him out.
What are the Pelicans doing to fix him?
The Pelicans have wisely been patient with Williamson, and are just now getting him slowly back on the court and working out. To much fanfare this week, there was also news that broke that the Pelicans have been working with Zion to train him to run and walk differently.
Wait…walk differently? Like, he needs to re-learn how to walk?
Yes, but let me say: This is not as wild as it sounds. Stephen Curry underwent a similar process following a string of ankle injuries early in his NBA career.
It’s not really learning to walk again. It’s more working with movement experts to help Williamson think about the strain he’s putting on his body by moving in a certain way, and how he can help his body be better with slight adjustments.
“Williamson, 19, said the Pelicans are also trying to teach him how to walk and run differently — working on the kinetic chain of his body.
What on Earth is the kinetic chain?
It’s a fancy expression for something that’s pretty obvious — basically the idea that all our muscles, joints, etc. are connected, and if you’re grinding down on one part of the system, it can affect other parts of the body. Have a bad knee, like Williamson does? Your hamstrings can overcompensate, and now you’ve got hamstring issues. Or the hips can take over to help you run, but now you’re straining your hips, which can lead to lower back issues, on and on.
Working with Williamson on re-training him to walk and run isn’t so much, like, “Now put your right foot forward. OK, and then the left. Good!” It’s more about showing him how putting stress on a certain part of his feet can radiate problems upward, or how by sprinting in a certain way it can hurt his joints, etc. Then trying to gently correct those issues.
Do many athletes undergo this treatment?
Absolutely. Anyone who’s ever worked with a strength coach or undergone physical therapy has probably done some work like this, whether they knew it or not. Running technique is taught to high school athletes all the way up to the pros, and especially after major injuries.
With Zion, they’ve got high-end equipment that can measure his body and see where the stresses are, and come up with a much more comprehensive plan to address issues, but it’s all the same thing.
So are you telling me that everyone freaking out on the internet may have overreacted?
Wild, I know.
