21-year-old Zion Williamson hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations as a No. 1 overall pick. After two years in the league, he seems to be struggling with some major weight issues that have compromised his availability this season.
Worse still, recent pictures of his current condition have gone viral and many prominent voices in the NBA community have spoken out against him.
“Looks like me and Shaq had a baby,” said Charles Barkley.
“He’s already hurt, you should not get hurt when you’re young. And he’s already had surgeries on his legs, now he’s got a broken foot, he gonna have to learn, even when you’re hurt, you’re gonna have to control your eating. When guys get hurt, Adam, and they come back, you’re trying to get in shape. And if you’re putting on that stress on your knees and your feet, you’re just gonna keep getting hurt. Somebody’s got to be a grown person down in that relationship and say, ‘Yo, man, you got to get in shape.’”
Needless to say, the Pelicans star is being exposed to a heightened level of hate at the moment and much of it originates online. Williamson’s popularity, it seems, has never been lower.
Regardless, the Pelicans are holding firm to their faith in his potential. On Twitter, one team executive even suggested that the Zion photos currently trending have been photoshopped by attention-seeking adults.
(NOLA.com)
On a road trip to Washington, Williamson was heckled by Wizards fans who chanted, “ZI-ON’S CHUN-KY!” according to the Washington Post.
Williamson was receiving so much criticism online, Swin Cash, the Pelicans vice president of basketball operations and team development, defended Williamson on Twitter.
“Imagine photoshopping a 21yr old every chance you get and leaving harsh comments for likes,” Cash wrote on Tuesday. “Whew the clown behavior really is shocking Especially from adults!”
Zion’s exact weight has yet to be confirmed, and his return date also remains a mystery at this moment in time.
But whether or not the hate being cast on Zion is appropriate or not, the kid will have a lot to prove when he finally does step on the court again.
He’s got an uphill battle to face in winning back the hearts of the fans.
