[Saba Sports News] Despite Zion Williamson’s active participation with the New Orleans Pelicans this season, he continues to face criticism from Charles Barkley for his physical condition. During TNT’s broadcast of the Pelicans’ In-Season Tournament quarterfinal victory over the Sacramento Kings, Barkley’s critical comments about Williamson went viral.
Barkley pointed out that Williamson is not in optimal shape, relying heavily on his natural talent. He observed that Williamson rarely participates in fast breaks and tends to jog rather than sprint on offense and defense. Barkley emphasized the need for someone to guide Williamson, acknowledging his immense talent but stressing the importance of getting in shape for him to reach his full potential.
Drawing from his own experience, Barkley recalled how veteran Moses Malone had candidly called him “fat and lazy” during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. This comparison underscores the need for Williamson to focus more on his physical fitness.
While Williamson shows promising progress, playing 18 of 22 games and averaging a solid performance, Barkley notes that he primarily plays in the halfcourt and seldom shows full-speed efforts on the court. Despite Williamson’s attempts to improve his conditioning over the summer, Barkley, one of his most outspoken critics, remains unimpressed, especially considering Williamson’s past struggles with weight and injuries.