The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly facing challenges in motivating Zion Williamson to focus on improving his fitness, as the franchise player appears to be tuning out their efforts. In the recent In-Season Tournament semifinal game against the Los Angeles Lakers, analysts observed that the 2019 No. 1 overall pick seemed fatigued, contributing to the team’s 133-89 blowout loss to LeBron James and the Lakers.
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Zion’s size has been a consistent topic of discussion since his entry into the league, with reports suggesting that the team included a weight clause in his five-year extension last season. This clause would reportedly impose penalties if the combined total of his weight and body percentage exceeded 295. Currently, Zion is reported to weigh 284 pounds.
Christian Clark of NOLA.com reveals that the Pelicans have repeatedly communicated to Williamson the importance of working on his diet and overall conditioning. However, according to the report, he has shown a lack of receptiveness to these directives.
Following these revelations, Zion’s former trainer, Jasper Bibbs, took to social media to comment on the player’s weight situation.
Despite admitting the need to be more aggressive on the court after the recent loss, it appears that the team is also expecting Williamson to demonstrate improvement in his overall health and fitness.
The consensus is that for Zion to reach his full potential and maintain his health, prioritizing his well-being needs to become a top priority.
