Stephen A. Smith is beefing per usual.
The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t mince words in responding to ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith’s recent remarks about Zion Williamson’s weight and “commitment to basketball.”
They fired back with a snapshot of his senior year basketball stats for Winston-Salem State University alongside “highlights.”
RELATED: Zion Williamson’s New Chest Tattoo Gets Savagely Roasted For Being Off-Centered
Smith later addressed the Pelicans’ rebuttal on X:
During Friday morning’s segment of Get Up!, Smith doubled down on his comments:
“When it comes to Zion Williamson, it’s not about his game. It’s about how many burgers he’s devouring. Is he going to shape up, or will he continue indulging in McDonald’s, with chefs vying for his attention? He needs to show that he’s committed to playing basketball and maintaining his fitness.”
Williamson has been instrumental for the Pelicans this season, averaging 22.5 points on 58.5 percent shooting, along with 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The team currently sits fifth in the Western Conference after a string of wins.
Smith’s criticism of Williamson’s weight is not new, as he previously made remarks about his physique on his show in December.
The Pelicans have reportedly struggled with Williamson’s conditioning, work ethic, and diet, as per sources cited by Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune.
Despite concerns about his weight, Williamson’s performance on the court has been strong, with him averaging 25.3 points during the Pelicans’ recent winning streak.
While his weight remains a topic of discussion, the Pelicans are focused on maintaining their momentum as they face the Miami Heat on Friday.