Zion Williamson promises to ‘do his best’ after ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith accused him of being ‘shamefully’ fat
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back in his analysis of Zion Williamson's ongoing struggles.
The ESPN host launched a scathing attack on the New Orleans Pelicans star's approach to health and fitness on Monday's edition of First Take.
Smith labelled Zion 'fat' and added that chefs in New Orleans love him because he'll "eat the whole table at a restaurant".
"Zion Williamson, he looks fat," Smith said on Monday. "I saw a belly. When he took a deep breath, his belly bounced, that kind of belly. You look like you showed up to the game having just ate a buffet, not something from the buffet, the buffet. Like you ate the damn table.
“It is shameful. I got chefs in New Orleans. I’m not exaggerating,” Smith went on. "I’m not exaggerating, I’m quoting people. You got chefs in New Orleans who love him. They’re looking for him. Every chef there wants to meet him because they know he’ll show up to their restaurant. The word out on Zion Williamson is that he’ll eat the table.
"I know they got a weight clause in his contract, they got to," he continued. "He got to be violating that, so he's addicted to food. I'm speculating, but its got to be. But Zion Williamson in basketball parlance is fat."
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The shocking tirade comes after the Pelicans were dumped out of the NBA's In-Season Tournament at the semi-final stage by eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Zion only had 13 points, two rebounds and three assists in an embarrassing 44-point loss, compared to a near 39-year-old LeBron James who finished with 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
"Zion Williamson went to the free throw line the other day," Stephen A. said after the game.
“While LeBron James had dropped 30 in three quarters and completely dominated and looked in peak physical condition, looked like a stud and a superstar.
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“Zion Williamson, who is more than 15 years younger but 40 pounds heavier, went to the free throw line... ladies and gentlemen, I saw a belly.”
Williamson's weight and overall condition have been the topic of much discussion down the years. The 23-year-old power forward -listed at 6ft 6in, 284lbs - has missed a tonne of time during his career due to various injuries, including the entire 2021–22 season.
His methods have been called into question once again recently following reports the Pelicans organisation were concerned about Williamson's discipline when it comes to his diet and conditioning.
"The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Williamson that his diet and conditioning need to improve," Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune recently wrote. "Williamson, multiple team sources have told The Times-Picayune, 'doesn't listen.'"
Similarly, other reports claimed the former first overall pick was struggling to breathe less than five minutes into the game against the Lakers.
Inside the NBA hosts Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley have been vocal in their criticism of Zion over the years, particularly as they also struggled with their conditioning during the first few years of their careers.
However, to be fair to Zion, he has appeared in 20 of the Pelicans’ 24 games this season, including Monday night's 121-107 win over the high-flying Minnesota Timberwolves.
Williamson had arguably his best game of the season so far, dropping 36 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
After the game, he thanked Pelicans fans for their support and promised to "do my best not to let y'all down."
"If you love the city, which I very much do, it'll love you back," he told reporters. "So to the city, to the fans... thank you. I'm going to do my best not to let y'all down."