Zion Williamson has been getting blasted from all corners for not being in shape and Stephen A. Smith is the latest one to take a shot at him. On the latest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the 56-year-old did not hold back when talking about Williamson.
“He looks fat,” Smith said. “… Zion Williamson, who is more than 15 years younger (than LeBron James), but 40 pounds heavier, went to the free throw line, ladies and gentlemen, I saw a belly. A belly. When he took a deep breath, his belly bounced. That kind of belly. I mean, damn. Damn. What’s up, Zion?”
Smith also called out Williamson for his play and attitude in the In-Season Tournament semifinal against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he had 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists.
“It’s bad enough you got your a** kicked, losing by 44 points in the semifinals,” Smith continued. “Did nothing to lead and galvanize your team. Did nothing to show the man-child that you are and to take over.
Smith then brutally stated that it seemed as if Zion had eaten an entire buffet before the game.
“But you look like you showed up to the game having just ate a buffet,” Smith stated. “Not something from the buffet, I said the buffet. Like you ate the damn table. I wasn’t going to touch on this, because I was embarrassed for him. But then Sports Illustrated wrote about it, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune, local newspaper, wrote about it. So it’s public information. He’s fat.”
Stephen A Smith calls Zion out for being ‘fat’
(h/t @dbrwnjr) https://t.co/1Jjg6jsjJ8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2023
Smith has never been the type to mince words, but this was probably a bit much even by his standards. He might have been so harsh here considering how highly he thinks of the New Orleans Pelicans star’s talent. Smith had previously said the Pelicans can get to the Finals if Zion stays healthy, and he’d have been very disappointed with what he saw on Thursday night.
Zion Williamson Is Ignoring The Pelicans’ Request Regarding His Diet And Conditioning
In case you were wondering what on earth the Pelicans are doing behind the scenes regarding this Zion situation, it appears they have been trying to get him to slim down. A report states Williamson is ignoring the Pelicans’ request to improve his diet and conditioning.
“The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Williamson that his diet and conditioning need to improve,” Wrote Pelican insider Christian Clark. “Williamson, multiple team sources have told The Times-Picayune, ‘doesn’t listen.’”
If that is indeed true, then it is terrible on Zion’s part. He is now 23 years old and should know better than to act in this manner. Williamson is not going to last in the NBA for a very long time if he refuses to change his ways.
Zion Williamson’s Former Trainer Sent A Cryptic Message
The report on the Pelicans’ concerns regarding Williamson led to a cryptic message from his former trainer Jasper Bibbs. Bibbs shared it as a story on Instagram and then shared a picture of Zion looking in shape back in September 2022, when he was his trainer.
Last year, Bibbs had stated Williamson was a better athlete than he was before thanks to their training. For whatever reason, the two sides parted ways at some point after that and Zion seems to have lost his way. Could a reunion help matters? Maybe.
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