During the close and tightly contested game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks at the Smoothie King Center, legendary commentator Mike Breen roasted the Pelicans’ star, Zion Williamson. Although Breen acknowledged Williamson’s ‘amazing talent’, he also pointed out the obvious.
Highlighting Zion Williamson’s struggles with his health and managing his weight since joining the league, Mike Breen wittingly dissed the number one draft pick of 2019 draft in a classy way. Williamson has been absent for 24 games of the 30 games Pelicans has played so far this season due to a left hamstring strain.
Breen echoed this sentiment when the camera turned to the New Orleans bench.
Zion Williamson in a familiar spot, on the bench in street clothes. Unfortunately, this amazing talent just has not been able to stay healthy in his career.
Mike Breen quipped
While his comments certainly made the day of NBA fans on X, who have since chimed in with their own two cents, most fans have been disappointed in Zion Williamson, questioning his durability and future in the league. Being in the league for five years now, Williamson hasn’t been able to contribute significantly or uplift the Pelicans’ franchise like he was projected to.
— No Context NBA (@NoContext_NBA_) December 23, 2024
Plagued with injuries since day one, fans have seen Zion on the court far less than they’ve seen him on the sidelines in “street clothes.” While the commentator, renowned for his catchphrase “BANG,” wasn’t trying to be cruel, he wasn’t wrong in his assessment. It sounded more like he was upset to see a talent so exceptional marred by poor choices and management issues.
Zion Williamson catches heat online for his new ink amid health concerns
This isn’t the first time fans have reveled in roasting Zion Williamson. Back in November, “Zanos” unveiled an extensive back tattoo via social media that stirred up the fans.
Willamson garnered a widespread reaction from the basketball community, who were taking shots at his fitness amid health concerns. One fan wrote on X, “Mans looked like he hasn’t worked out in months, Pelicans are just donating money to Zion at this point.”
Zion’s new back tattoo 👀
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 22, 2024
Williamson has also caught some heat from NBA legend and one of the hosts of the beloved show Inside The NBA, Charles Barkley, for being overweight. Barkley expressed concern about Williamson’s future, as he had been in the same predicament when he first came into the league. Barkley had to shed a few pounds just to get drafted into the NBA.
In the six games he has played this season, Zion Williamson has averaged 22.7 points on 45.2% shooting, grabbing 8 rebounds off the board while dishing out 5.3 assists per game. Despite the discouragement and dismay, most Pelicans fans and the larger NBA community still want to see “Zanos” on the court, playing like his old Duke self.
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