Zion Williamson made headlines for all the wrong reasons after the Pelicans’ 133—89 defeat to the Lakers in the NBA in-season tournament Thursday, as the forward’s lackluster effort again prompted questions about his effort, diet and conditioning.
Williamson cited his lack of “aggressiveness” after the game, but TNT’s Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley, who has called out Williamson for being out of shape in the past, lamented the fact that he’s “not close” to being the Pelicans’ best player. Fellow TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neal chimed in, saying the New Orleans big man “doesn’t have that look.” Fans pointed to Williamson’s fitness and accused him of being out of shape.
It would appear that Williamson’s diet and conditioning are an issue. The Pelicans have reportedly “repeatedly stressed” to Williamson the need to improve in these areas, but the talented forward “doesn't listen,” per Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune.
Williamson, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, oozed potential coming out of Duke as a 6’6” big man with serious bounce and athleticism around the rim. But that potential has been mostly unrealized due to injuries and inconsistent play.
It’s not the first time Williamson, listed at 284 pounds, has been a topic of discussion because of his diet and weight. Back in July, he admitted it was “hard” to eat healthy, given all the money he’s making. In April, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin had told reporters there was “a lot” Williamson could do better.
