Stephen A. Smith found himself in the crosshairs of the New Orleans Pelicans’ social media team after a scathing rant about Zion Williamson. Smith’s criticism of Williamson’s weight and commitment to basketball prompted the Pelicans to respond in a unique and humorous way. However, Smith was quick to respond to the Pelicans’ trolling, firing back with a defiant message on social media.
“LESS!!! Can’t score when you can’t play due to a devastating knee injury. That’s my fact. Now……what’s y’all excuse for never winning anything???”
“Can’t wait to see y’all in April. May and June? We won’t even go there! Good Luck! Tell my boys…Coach Green and CJ I’m always rooting for them.”
LESS!!! Can’t score when you can’t play due to a devastating knee injury. That’s my fact. Now……what’s y’all excuse for never winning anything???
Can’t wait to see y’all in April. May and June? We won’t even go there! Good Luck! Tell my boys…Coach Green and CJ I’m always… https://t.co/1G9ZzwFPbF
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 23, 2024
Despite the exchange, the focus remained on Williamson’s performance on the court. The 23-year-old forward, despite facing scrutiny over his weight and conditioning, has been a key contributor for the Pelicans, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 58.0% from the field and 36.4% from 3-point range and helping the team secure a solid 5th position in the Western Conference standings.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3s-20wM8Ww
In a tongue-in-cheek retaliation, the Pelicans posted a blooper reel of Smith’s athletic endeavors, spanning basketball, baseball, and boxing, alongside his college basketball stats from Winston-Salem State University. The video, titled “flock it, Stephen A. Smith highlights,” served as a lighthearted jab at Smith’s expense, showcasing his less-than-stellar moments on the court and field.
Smith’s comments on Get Up! earlier that day, where he questioned Williamson’s dedication to the game and raised concerns about his weight, incited the Pelicans’ response. Despite Smith’s history of criticizing athletes, his remarks struck a nerve with the Pelicans’ social media team, prompting them to craft a humorous clapback.
As the Pelicans continue their push for playoff contention, Williamson’s performance will be closely monitored. While questions about his weight and fitness persist, Williamson’s ability to lead his team to success on the court remains his most potent response to critics like Smith.
Ultimately, the Pelicans’ trolling of Smith serves as a humorous subplot in the ongoing narrative surrounding Williamson’s career, but the focus remains on his performance and impact within the league.
Pelicans Broadcaster Hammers Stephen A. Smith For Taking A Weight Jab At Zion Williamson
Stephen A. Smith’s recent comments regarding Zion Williamson’s weight drew sharp criticism from former NBA player turned Pelicans broadcaster Antonio Daniels. In response to Smith’s remarks questioning Williamson’s conditioning, Daniels condemned Smith’s approach as “inappropriate and lazy.”
"Why are these conversations completely geared around Z"
🔊 @adaniels33 responds to Stephen A. Smith comments about Zion Williamson #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/nu05CZr0mF
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 23, 2024
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio, Daniels expressed his disapproval of Smith’s comments, emphasizing the need for objective and fair critique. He argued that Smith’s remarks crossed a line, particularly considering the Pelicans’ recent success on the court, winning eight of their last ten games.
Daniels highlighted Williamson’s impressive performance in the team’s recent games, underscoring the disconnect between Smith’s focus on Williamson’s weight and the Pelicans’ current achievements.
As a former NBA player himself, Daniels brings a unique perspective to the discussion, having experienced the pressures and scrutiny of professional sports firsthand. His defense of Williamson reflects not only his support for the player but also his understanding of the broader context surrounding athlete criticism.
While critique is an inherent part of sports analysis, the manner in which it is delivered can impact the perception of both the commentator and the player in question. Daniels’ defense of Williamson serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful and respectful discourse in sports media.
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