Zion Williamson: The MOST Frustrating First Overall Pick
Zion Williamson was once the most hyped prospect since Lebron James. While in college Zion was getting comparisons to Lebron for his freakish athleticism. Sadly, since being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the first pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Zion Williamson has not lived up to the hype. The 2019-20 NBA season began on October 22, 2019. Zion did not play his first game until January 22, 2020, due to him suffering an injury before the regular season even started.
Zion's biggest enemy is himself. He is a 6'6 284 pound beast with the potential to dominate the NBA but decides to instead play around with women and eat unhealthy foods. In his second season, he averaged 27 points per game and 7.2 rebounds on 61% shooting from the field. Not only are these stats impressive, but he was named an all-star that same season. Not many NBA players can say that. In the 2020-21 season, Zion became the record holder for the highest field goal percentage by a player who averaged at least 25 points per game.
Charles Barkley, who is one of the greatest power forwards of all time, was once Zion Williamson before Zion Williamson. Chuck was also 6'6 and nearly 300 pounds until Moses Malone told him to get into shape. Charles Barkley once said on The Steam Room Podcast "I'm so belled for Moses Malone. Told me to get my fat ass in shape and made me lose 50 pounds. It changed the whole dynamic of my life." Zion Williamson can notice a massive improvement in his health if he loses weight. His legs cannot handle all that weight and thus it causes injuries.
His first injury was briefly mentioned earlier. The injury was a knee injury. In only 4 years in the NBA Zion has dealt with ten different lower body injuries. Whether they were ankle, hip, knee, etc. Injuries will continue to plague his career if he does not start losing weight.
In the In-Season Tournament semifinals against the Lakers, Zion Williamson had 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Meanwhile, 38-year-old Lebron James had 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists in just 23 minutes of playing time. How is it that a man who is 15 years older than you is not only playing better but has more gas in the tank than you?
Zion is currently averaging 22.9 points per game and 5.6 rebounds on 58% from the field. Although those stats are incredible Zion Williamson has the potential to play at a higher level. Zion is currently on a 5 year $197 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans and has not had a single healthy season.
This was Zion during a pre-game workout back in 2021. On Inside The NBA Charles Barkley hilariously said "He looks like me and Shaq had a baby." As said earlier his weight is stopping his potential and is causing all of these lower body injuries. Zion even admitted to eating unhealthy due to the injuries he sustained.
Basketball injuries are no joke, especially the more serious ones, but Zion has access to different resources with the contract that he has. Zion may not have any interest in playing in New Orleans. Or it could be that Zion does not have a player like Moses Malone to motivate him to not only lose weight but stay in shape.
It is outrageous and unacceptable that a superstar player like Zion Williamson has a weight clause in his contract that says he must stay under 295 pounds or otherwise his guaranteed money will decrease.
This is Zion from the 2023 NBA media day. Each year he comes in with a new body transformation just to have the same out-of-shape body by the middle of the season.
This is what is so frustrating about Zion Williamson. He has the potential to be a top-10 player in the NBA but lets his weight get in the way.
He gets criticized for his weight and comes into the new season in better shape and then goes back to square one thus causing more injuries. If he does not change his habits New Orleans should trade him. And not only that, but his career will end up as a "What if" due to all the injuries.
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