New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson was present at his team’s 118-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
The defeat was New Orleans’ 19th of the year, leaving them dead last in the Western Conference.
While the Pelicans’ most recent poor performance was troubling, the main takeaway from the outing actually had nothing to do with what happened on the court.
Rather, it was the fact that Williamson looked bigger than ever in his latest public showing.
The imagery speaks for itself:
Zion at tonight’s game
(h/t @s_helwick) pic.twitter.com/21lgxi5Csc
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 6, 2021
Zion sighting.
(via @s_helwick) pic.twitter.com/GAqT8j4oel
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 6, 2021
Fan reaction on social media to how Williamson looked was absolutely relentless:
Dude, they have licensed therapists for every team. Strength and conditioning coaches. Nutritionists. A professional chef brigade that feeds them 7 days a week.
This is a (terrible) life choice. Set to lose hundreds of millions…..
— Delicious Pizza (@DeliciouzPizza) December 6, 2021
I will never fat-shame an athlete, but Zion is not doing himself any favors for his career.
His job is to be an athlete; work out, eat right and be the best basketball player. And he’s not doing any of that.
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) December 6, 2021
Overweight
— West (8-4) (12-12) (11-1) (@WestGoat) December 6, 2021
Dude built like a linebacker
— chef curry (@baby_face_goat) December 6, 2021
Williamson’s ongoing weight problems have gotten so serious that even teammates are worried about it.
There has been a lot of talk in recent months about Williamson’s longing for going to a different team. At this rate however it is difficult to see a scenario where any team gives up anything of legitimacy for him. Between his injuries, mild grumpiness, weight issues and random off-the-court DM “scandals,” he’s just too big of a liability right now.
Jared Goff won in more ways than one last night. https://t.co/xRbK90ChhS
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 6, 2021
Williamson definitely needs to get right – and ASAP. But will he be able to do it? Time will tell.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
