The New Orleans Pelicans respond to ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith’s comments on Zion Williamson’s weight and “commitment to basketball” with a snapshot of his senior year basketball stats at Winston-Salem State University. He fired back by posting “highlights.”
Smith later responded to the Pelicans on X:
upon Friday morning edition of get up!Smith said.
“Zion Williamson, it’s not about his game. It’s about how many hamburgers he’s eating. And whether he’s going to get in shape or if he keeps eating McDonald’s and the chefs are putting him in restaurants.” What he has to prove is that the chefs don’t love him anymore, you know? He’s going to play basketball to stay in shape. It means I’m dedicated.”
Williamson averaged 22.5 points, 58.5 percent from the field, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists for a 34-22 Pels team that won eight of nine games and finished fifth in the Western Conference.
This is not the first time Mr Smith has criticized Mr Williamson’s weight. show December (Jeff Smith of Sports Illustrated):
“Zion Williamson…went to the free throw line – you guys could see his stomach. You could see his stomach. Like when he took a deep breath, his stomach bounced,” Smith said.
“What’s up, Zion? Getting your ass kicked is bad enough…but it looks like you just ate a buffet and showed up to the game. I said buffet, not buffet something. Like he ate the damn table…he’s fat.”
According to Christian Clark, the Pells had particular problems with Williamson’s conditioning, work ethic, and diet. of times picayune During December.
“Williamson’s lack of value has been a source of frustration for the Pelicans since they drafted him No. 1 in 2019. They have a veteran player with a track record of maximizing his potential. They’ve been trying to keep Williamson in. The team signed J.J. Redick in 2019.” They traded for CJ McCollum in 2022.
“None of it has affected me.
“The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Williamson the need to improve his diet and conditioning, multiple team officials said. times picayune“I’m not listening.”
Willamson, entering his fifth NBA season, is listed at 6’6″ and weighs 284 pounds. He’s on the heavy side, but if he’s healthy, performing well, and the Pels are winning, weight won’t matter. No. That’s what’s happening in the game, as Williamson averaged 25.3 points during the Pels’ recent hot stretch.
Of course, more losses will definitely lead to more criticism, but for now the Pels are doing well and look to continue that on Friday at home vs. the Miami Heat.