The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Zion that his diet and conditioning need to improve. Zion, multiple team sources have told, "doesn't listen"

[NOSaintsFan02]

LAS VEGAS — During the first stoppage in play of Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Zion Williamson plopped on the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench and struggled to breathe, looking as though he had just completed a half-marathon.

Williamson, who had just jogged back on defense to try to contest a Taurean Prince 3-pointer, appeared winded even though the game was not even five minutes old. The 23-year-old’s poor conditioning was painfully apparent on the specially designed red and blue court for the NBA's new In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. Earlier in the week, Williamson had compared the court to a stage. He was right: It was a stage, and on it, he got exposed.

In September, executive vice president David Griffin said Williamson had spent more time in the Pelicans’ practice facility during the offseason than at any previous point in his career.


“This was the first summer where we’ve seen Zion take his profession seriously like that and invest in it off the court on his own in a way that I think is meaningful,” Griffin said.
But at the start of the season, it was clear Williamson was carrying too much weight. Most distressingly, he has not played himself into better shape, even though the regular season is more than one-quarter of the way over. If anything, Williamson’s conditioning has regressed.

Williamson’s poor work ethic has been a source of frustration for the Pelicans since they drafted him No. 1 in 2019. The Pelicans have tried to surround Williamson with veterans who have track records of maximizing their potential. The team signed JJ Redikk in 2019. In 2022, they traded for CJ McCollum.

None of it has made an impact.

The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Williamson that his diet and conditioning need to improve. Williamson, multiple team sources have told The Times-Picayune, “doesn’t listen.”

Clark: Zion Williamson's conditioning is a problem. Will the out-of-shape Pelicans star change?

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is still out of shape in his fifth season.

www.nola.com

 

[Tony D'Amato]

Zion just wanna trick and eat. Don't blame him. I blame the idiots thats gonna max him out

 

[Spidey Man]

I wonder if Zion would act this way if he ended up getting picked by his preferred team

 

[NOSaintsFan02]

It's over. At this point, his peak will be a second team career rejuvenation arc with another team where he's the #2 to a true #1. Duke Zion ain't ever coming back.

 

[The God Poster]

Negged & reported

Stop fat shaming

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

He don’t want to be there

 

[Killer Instinct]

I wonder if Zion would act this way if he ended up getting picked by his preferred team

Not sure but I know he & his team never wanted him to be in New Orleans. As soon as he can get out, he will. He couldn't care less about what they have to say because he doesn't want to be there.

 

[O.iatlhawksfan]

This is goin to end of like the Anthony Davis situation where AD didn’t take accountability and blamed everything on the team, I can see Zion forcing his way out while blaming the team instead of taking accountability

 

[ALonelyDad]

I wonder if Zion would act this way if he ended up getting picked by his preferred team

act what way? The man loves eating, I don't think that would change even if he was in NY lol. Give me wingstop over defensive stops any day

 

[Goat poster]

Sadly we all new this would be his fate

We didn't want to believe it but we knew

Dude love to eat...and trick on hoes

 

[GoldenGlove]

Literally just said this in the other thread lol

Feels like NO is like this when it comes to his weight...


They're in a committed relationship with someone that they know is always teetering around being 1 hamburger away. They've tried saying something about it, but that person is who they are. Zion's like, "Accept me for who I am!!! Flaws and ALL". Now New Orleans like we'll see what happens, we already expressed that we don't want to marry someone that becomes a fat slob, but this is the best catch we gonna get, so we gotta roll with em and pray for the best

 

[dizzy4111]

Would never want him on my team

 

[King Poetic]

Put some porn hoes near the bench and this nikka motivation will pick up

 

[Boonapalist]

It feels just like yesterday Pelican fans were shytting on AD to prop up Zion. Now look at y’all

 

[GoldenGlove]

Mans really about to eat his way off of the Pelicans


Which city has the worst food? Whoever that is needs to entertain trading for him