Following a six-game tear through the end of November that was arguably the best of his NBA career, Zion Williamson faced immense criticism just one week later. This stemmed from two performances in the NBA’s in-season tournament quarterfinals and semifinals, as Williamson totaled his fewest shot attempts per game this season (eight in each). The Pelicans ultimately fell to the Lakers in the semifinals.
With the outpouring of critical comments from high-profile analysts like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith, Williamson responded in as close to perfect fashion as one could imagine on Monday night.
“If it comes from a place where they just wanna see me do better, thank you. But if it comes from anywhere else, everybody entitled to their own opinion. Can’t control that,” Williamson told reporters after a 121-107 win over the Timberwolves.
He expanded on the criticism further shortly after.
“It’s been like that since I was 16 years old; since I came onto the scene. If I want to be one of the best players in the league, if we don’t win in a big moment or if something bad happens, that’s to be expected,” said Williamson, per The Athletic’s Will Guillory.
Zion Williamson on Shaq and Charles Barkley's comments after the IST semis last week: "If it comes from a place where they just wanna see me do better, thank you. But if it comes from anywhere else, everybody entitled to their own opinion. Can't control that." pic.twitter.com/LdRxrM6L6u
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) December 12, 2023
Evaluating Criticism Pointed Strongly at Zion Williamson
The New Orleans forward admitted he was too passive in the in-season tournament losses, but the criticism still poured down. While O’Neal prefaced his comments by stating they were not a “diss” but instead “a lesson” for Williamson, he called him out for not running hard and not rebounding, among other things, during a segment of NBA on TNT.
Shaq on the deficiencies in Zion's Williamson game:
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 8, 2023
"I was just like him." pic.twitter.com/bEWBwTvJuJ
Shaq’s comments on Zion did appear to stem from the belief that the 23-year-old can be a top player in the league, which co-analyst Kenny Smith highlighted. This led to Charles Barkley chiming in with a similar sentiment, stating that there are “two guys on his team that are better players than him and they shouldn’t be.”
As for the comments from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith during his show, they were far more drastic, stating Williamson “looks fat” during a wild rant.
“Zion Williamson … went to the free throw line – Ladies and gentlemen, I saw a belly. A belly. Like, when he took a deep breath, his belly bounced,” Smith said. “What’s up, Zion? It’s bad enough getting your a– kicked … But you look like you showed up to the game having just ate a buffet. Not something from the buffet, I said the buffet. Like you ate the damn table … He’s fat.”
Williamson has had an up-and-down season but seemed to hit a stride at the end of November before taking a step back in the early stages of December. If he can regain the form that was on display during last month’s stellar stretch, the Pelicans could be a dangerous team to watch in the latter stages of the season.
