Zion Williamson, the power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, is a skilled shot-blocker and rebounder. However, the 6’6 player has often fallen prey to criticism concerning his weight and other dietary issues. The issue seems to be worrisome for the Pelicans, as the forward increased his weight to over 300 pounds back in the 2021–22 season.
Pelicans “have repeatedly stressed to [Zion] Williamson that his diet and conditioning need to improve,” but the former No. 1 pick “doesn’t listen,” per @cclark_13 of The Times-Picayune pic.twitter.com/sl4logTLz4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2023
The issue has again gotten the spotlight, and this time the weight cost the team a championship. The New Orleans Pelicans had a face-off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the semi-finals of the inaugural in-season tournament of the NBA. Zion Williamson retired on the Pelican’s bench, and it looked like the player was struggling to breathe.
The player was making a defensive run to contest Taurean Prince and just five minutes into the game, he retired on the Pelican’s bench, leaving many surprised. A reporter recently said that Zion has not been listening to the Pelicans’ repeated requests to improve his conditioning.
Has Zion Williamson been injury-prone because of his diet and lack of conditioning?
The two-time NBA All-Star played merely 85 games since he was drafted in 2019 until the 2021–22 season. Weighing 330 pounds in the 2021–22 season, many claim that the player robbed himself of his prime with a lack of proper conditioning and diet.
Williamson has sustained a lot of injuries in his NBA career since getting drafted. Beginning with the knee surgery that he underwent in his rookie season, the fractured finger in his second season, then the foot surgery, and the hamstring injury last season.
The hyped BMI of the player could be one of the reasons for his hamstring injury and late recovery, while other reasons also can contribute to the factor. While Zion’s ‘too injury-prone’ narrative continues to drive his career, the Pelicans were trailing behind the Lakers by a whopping 33-points.
Jonas gets doubled. Zion Williamson has the entire lane to himself, all he would have to do is sprint to the open spot or just simply seal Reddish for an easy lay up.
He just stands in the corner.
These are just simple easy plays that take a little bit of effort. pic.twitter.com/vJAIragd3p
— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) December 8, 2023
While Williamson looked pretty cut-up at the beginning of this season, the new bulked-up and out-of-shape body can make the player violate the new weight clause of the contract. The question now is whether the Pelicans will get an equal return on investment in terms of output from Williamson on the hardwood.