NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith of ESPN destroyed New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson on the latest episode of his podcast.
Smith called Williamson “fat.”
The Pelicans have continually stressed to Williamson that his diet and conditioning must improve. However, according to NBA reporter Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune, Williamson “doesn’t listen.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Zion Williamson, Stephen A. Smith, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Williamson is listed at 284 pounds. Most individuals around the NBA believe the All-Star weighs more than that.
The Pelicans got blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas and Williamson didn’t move well on offense or defense.
“I got to be better,” Williamson said after the Pelicans-Lakers game. “I got to be more aggressive, finding my shot. I got to do more things to get my team going. I think I was too laid-back tonight, and I just can’t do that. And defensively I got to be better.”
Williamson is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists on the season for the Pelicans while shooting 57.4% from the floor, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 64.2% from the foul line. The Pelicans are 12-11. They are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings.
“I have a problem where I literally just try to hunt the best shot possible every time, but my teammates, they expect more from me,” Williamson said. “I expect more from myself. I got to just trust my game. I just got to be more aggressive. I think if I’m more aggressive that energy will definitely carry over.”
The Pelicans signed Williamson to a five-year, $197 million extension in July 2022. Williamson has career NBA averages of 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, but he’s never played in the postseason and continues to come up short in big games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Zion Williamson, Stephen A. Smith, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
There were rumors that the Pelicans were close to trading Williamson last offseason to move up in the NBA Draft. No trade happened, but Williamson’s future in New Orleans is something to keep an eye on given his weight issues.
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