Zion Williamson’s fitness remains a big question mark for the player and the New Orleans Pelicans. Two years after he made it to the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Williamson has yet to live up to the expectations people created for him since high school and college.
The forward is seen as one of the future faces of the league, but injuries and weight issues have prevented us from watching him display the best of his game. The 21-year-old can do great things in the league, but he’ll keep gaining more criticism from fans and media members until he fixes his health problems.
Recently, people were shocked when they found out the significant changes in Zion’s physique from his rookie season to the 2021 media day. Even if the pic is edited, there are no doubts that Zion has let himself go in the past two years.
Moreover, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Williamson is now weighing near 300 pounds.
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1450799869468237828
NBA fans reacted to this, telling many jokes about Zion, showing their concern about the young star, and more.
https://twitter.com/alijah_haddox/status/1450800121092902913
Zion On his way to grab his next meal pic.twitter.com/usFxmtpZSf
— Confused Houston Fan 🙃😕😐 (@Snyphe) October 20, 2021
The meme came true pic.twitter.com/uOplcPBdIA
— Bam Adobobayo (@Bam_Adobobayo) October 20, 2021
Not if he’s gassed after 2 minutes
— Neilson (@NeilsonSZN) October 20, 2021
New Orleans food treating him well pic.twitter.com/30h5ntjYJn
— Matt🇲🇽 (@Mattfm8) October 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/softmediagiles/status/1450799979484884998
It’s the NOLA Gumbo
— 𝘈𝘣𝘥𝘶𝘭 🇬🇭 (@AbdulV23) October 20, 2021
Zion during the offseason.. pic.twitter.com/PrxCqNPchF
— Ray Jackson (@RayJack97010720) October 20, 2021
We figured pic.twitter.com/IE47xu8rV0
— Kingdom (@kingdom133) October 20, 2021
“ The next Bron” , Bro looks like he ate Bron
— Gowtham Kanagaraj (@corcorangodd) October 20, 2021
The food in New Orleans is getting to him 😭. Man can't stop himself from that good crawfish and soul food.
— Geezy ⁵𓅓🐻❤️🔥⚡ (@Michiganthekid) October 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/HighkeyMarco/status/1450800069171560451
Please bring him to the Knicks we’ll get him in shape
— 𝘑𝘑 🎭 (@GuardGrimes) October 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/sidharth_hyd/status/1450800325917478917
Zion hurting himself at this point whether people wanna admit it or not. He’s 6’7 his body can’t support that weight while being asked to do everything he does, Zion has had a leg injury every year since being in the league and has required multiple surgeries he needs help.
— CJ (@CJTheAnalyst) October 20, 2021
Per some knicks writer, sure Jan pic.twitter.com/SVn7qrPWWG
— Pelicans Door Dasher (@PelsDoorDash) October 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/Real_AD_BURNER/status/1450802442501754882https://twitter.com/CLEatHeart13/status/1450804128804970501
The commercial with him and Zach Lavine clearly looked like my man was getting it in.
— C. Anthony (@CAnthonyPTRS) October 20, 2021
— Met. (@AFCMet) October 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/MononcEcouerant/status/1450805585209958401
Man gonna be sweating glaze lmao https://t.co/1hb1tv8q8m
— Volume 2 (@SoloDahDon) October 20, 2021
This is obviously a big thing for him. Ever since he made it to New Orleans, people have blamed his weight for his injuries. Zion isn’t on the best terms with the team’s front office, either, which can create more problems for them.
Zion has the tools to become a legendary player, but it’ll be hard to see him fulfilling all his potential if these situations keep happening. The Pelicans must do something to prevent this from happening again. He has been linked with a move away from NOLA and they need to be careful with how they handle this.
The Pelicans will start the season against the controversial Philadelphia 76ers tonight. Williamson won’t suit up with the team, but they hope to have him back soon in a campaign where they’ll try to reach the playoff.
