Joe Dumars: “The main thing that I’ve talked to Zion about is just responsibility and accountability”

Sep 22, 2025 11:46 PM

Zion Williamson — Photo: New Orleans Pelicans/X

Here’s New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars on offseason conversations he’s had with Zion Williamson.

(via New Orleans Pelicans):

“The main thing that I’ve talked to Zion about is just responsibility and accountability. What I’ve said to him is, ‘With greatness comes responsibility. You don’t get to be great and not responsible.’ And so, it’s just been a heavy emphasis on that: just being accountable and responsible for what you do. It’s not enough just to be talented. And I’ve said to him, I said, ‘Look, 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 without any responsibility. You just can’t, that’s not what greatness is. So, let’s just make sure that we are responsible and accountable.’

“And I could tell you — he’s been great. Zion has been great. I’ve not had any issues with him. He’s been working extremely hard. I see him, probably for the last month, in and out of the practice facility really pushing himself hard. So, I’ve been happy with him this summer. But still at the end of the day, man: you’ve got to be responsible and accountable for everything you do.”