Charles Barkley Slams Zion Williamson: “He needs to get in shape”

Charles Barkley, a former NBA player, criticized Zion Williamson for his lack of fitness. The forward for the New Orleans Pelicans was the target of Barkley and the other members of the “NBA on TNT” team following the former’s two-point half against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday in the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinal. Barkley and Kenny Smith, the co-host of the show, both agreed that Williamson was not in basketball form.

Charles Barkley Slams Zion Williamson: “He needs to get in shape”

During the halftime show, neither of the experts held back when speaking, and Barkley gave a direct evaluation:

“He’s not in shape. He doesn’t run, he plays the game strictly on talent. He never runs on a fastbreak. He’s kinda jogging on offence and defence. Somebody has got to get a hold of him cause he has so much talent. He could be special.”

The Pelicans’ top scorers were Herb Jones (23 points) and Brandon Ingram (30 points), while Williamson finished the game with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

Williamson had scored 20 points or more in seven of his previous ten games, but for the most part, he had been producing during the previous month.

ā€œZion is the wildcard,ā€ Barkley added.

ā€œThey got depth, they got two All-Stars named Ingram and McCollum. Iā€™ve said before, this team is scary on paper but itā€™s all going to come down to Zion. Heā€™s got to get himself in better shape because McCollum and Ingram, man theyā€™re a handful.ā€

Barkley’s criticism was not without compassion, though. Thinking back on his own experience, he saw Williamson’s promise and said that the young athlete had the potential to be “special.”

Barkley drew comparisons to his own life, telling of how his mentor, Hall of Famer Moses Malone, had questioned him about his physical condition and called him “fat and lazy.” Barkley says that Williamson needs this harsh love in order to improve.

In July, Williamsonā€”who is in his fifth season in the NBAā€”spoke candidly about his difficulties with health when he appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Gil’s Arena.

ā€œItā€™s hard, man,ā€ Williamson said.

ā€œIā€™m 20, 22, have all the money in the world āˆ’ well, it feels like all the money in the world. Itā€™s hard.

ā€œIā€™m at that point now because of certain things, Iā€™m putting back the wisdom around me. I donā€™t want to say older because they get defensive, but Iā€™m putting people around me with wisdom. And just go from there.ā€

For a considerable amount of time, the New Orleans Pelicans have been a fringe playoff club. Had Zion Williamson remained healthy, they may have advanced to the postseason.

Despite the explosive star’s enormous contributions when he enters the court, one of the biggest disadvantages for him and the team has been his lengthy history of injuries.

How much overweight is Zion Williamson?

Williamson’s erratic weight has been a talking point since he joined the NBA, regardless of his injury condition. Williamson’s weight was reported to be 284 pounds at 6-foot-6 last season, but sources claim he has weighed more than 300 pounds several times throughout his career.

What is the Zion contract clause?

According to the weight provision, Zion’s guaranteed money under the contract would fall if he does not maintain a combined weight and body fat percentage below 295. That doesn’t imply, though, that his checks grow less; as long as they come in, he is paid the maximum amount.

 

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