Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans is undoubtedly a monster despite standing only 6-foot-6. Though he has struggled with injuries early in his NBA career, there is no doubt that he is a force to reckon with. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr witnessed it first hand, and now he joins a growing list of people who feel that the top pick of the 2019 NBA Draft is the second coming of Charles Barkley.
In a report by Nick Friedell of ESPN, Kerr compared Williamson to Charles Barkley during his prime. He points out the explosiveness of Williamson and the rookie's ability to be a one-man wrecking crew if he wanted to.
A good example of that was a play during the Warriors game against the Pelicans. Williamson made a bully play, snatching the ball following a miss and ended up having an and-one play. It was hardly surprising for someone like him with more similar plays likely following. But first off, Williamson needs to take better care of his body.
Zion's playing bully ball (via @TheRenderNBA2)pic.twitter.com/bKlOSRTwWN — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 24, 2020
Weight has been an issue for Williamson, something that has cast doubts on his NBA longevity. But rather than trim down, it appears he is getting heavier. In a discussion over at The Bill Simmons Podcast. sources claim that Williamson is now over 300 pounds. Take note that the rookie is officially listed at 284 lbs., already a cause for alarm since it is not an ideal weight for someone at 6-foot-6.
Williamson has been urged to cut down his weight if he intends to stay in the NBA for long. Failure to do so could lead to a shortened pro career. Some players were forced to cut their NBA career short due to injuries, and Williamson has already had a couple right in his rookie year.
The Pelicans may want to offer Williamson some advice as well as moving forward. Though there is no telling how long he will be in New Orleans, making the most out of his stay would be a great gesture.
For now, it will be interesting if Williamson can help the Pelicans get to the next round. They are currently at the 10th spot with a 25-32 record in the Western Conference but have time to catch the last bus. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers are ahead of them. With 25 games left in their campaign, the Pels could surprise many with an unforeseen playoff stint. Together with Brandon Ingram, the Pels could crack the top eight, although going deep is another story.
