Scout: Zion Williamson Moving Worse Than He Did In Summer League

[Hans1984]

I can't understand how a 19year old needs rest after so many months off.

[VanWest82]

He looks like an injury waiting to happen. I would not play him until he looks significantly better

I think you have to play him to ensure the relationship stays positive but the mins restriction should stay in place. Holding him out of the occasional meaningless game like today is a good compromise until (if?) Zion can shed some weight.

If Pelicans don't impress upon him that his current conditioning isn't nearly good enough then they're enabling him.

[Crizzle]

He looks like an injury waiting to happen. I would not play him until he looks significantly better

I think you have to play him to ensure the relationship stays positive but the mins restriction should stay in place. Holding him out of the occasional meaningless game like today is a good compromise.

If Pelicans don't impress upon him that his current conditioning isn't nearly good enough then they're enabling him.

If he thinks he can show up looking like he is and demand playing time, he might be a disaster waiting to happen for the Pels

[Biff]

Just becoming more and more skeptic that sadly this kid’s career is just not gonna become what the incredible upside he could have had but it’s becoming painfully clear he’s having a helluva hard time maintaining his weight...

As those who have lived into their 30s, you know it only gets harder and harder to keep your weight down especially as you “fill into your man body”.

Not really. I was pretty fat most of my 20's. I'm almost 40 and I'm 60lbs lighter than I was at 25. Maintaining a healthy weight isn't difficult, it just takes some discipline with your diet.

[VanWest82]

He looks like an injury waiting to happen. I would not play him until he looks significantly better

I think you have to play him to ensure the relationship stays positive but the mins restriction should stay in place. Holding him out of the occasional meaningless game like today is a good compromise.

If Pelicans don't impress upon him that his current conditioning isn't nearly good enough then they're enabling him.

If he thinks he can show up looking like he is and demand playing time, he might be a disaster waiting to happen for the Pels

There's going to need to be some tough love at some point. Right now we're at the stage of Pels very nicely saying he can play just not as much as he wants. Media wants him to succeed so they're not killing him either. That will change. I agree this is heading for disaster if Zion doesn't change.

[Crizzle]

I think you have to play him to ensure the relationship stays positive but the mins restriction should stay in place. Holding him out of the occasional meaningless game like today is a good compromise.

If Pelicans don't impress upon him that his current conditioning isn't nearly good enough then they're enabling him.

If he thinks he can show up looking like he is and demand playing time, he might be a disaster waiting to happen for the Pels

There's going to need to be some tough love at some point. Right now we're at the stage of Pels very nicely saying he can play just not as much as he wants. Media wants him to succeed so they're not killing him either. That will change. I agree this is heading for disaster if Zion doesn't change.

Yeah the media painting the Staff as the bad guys for holding him out is ridiculous.

[Sign5]

Yea i always looked at Zion as a different variant of Giannis. The same way Giannis dominates mvp-style with his ridiculous length, agility, athleticism, IQ is the same way I see Zion dominating. Only switch the ridiculous length with bulk/strength and mind-boggling bounce and foot speed.

100%, people get hung up on appearance but those dudes are sooooo close otherwise in their games.

As scorers perhaps, but they're absolutely worlds apart as defenders and rebounders. Giannis is one of the games best at defending and rebounding the ball, Zion is one of the worst.

Sure however, Zion is a rookie who is displayed potential to being an elite two way player in college. Giannis displayed immense potential his rookie season but wasn't an MVP until a few years later. The hope is that Zion loses weight and regains that endurance to be the westbrook/tazmanian devil he was on both ends blocking shots at the very least. I think he can propel his rebounding to 8-9 a game eventually. Right now it seems like hes putting all his energy into scoring and gassed for everything else.

[RRyder823]

Can someone bump that thread where the guy was saying Zion would be a top 20 player in his 1st season

he was/is a top 20 player this season.

lol What?

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[AussieBuck]

100%, people get hung up on appearance but those dudes are sooooo close otherwise in their games.

As scorers perhaps, but they're absolutely worlds apart as defenders and rebounders. Giannis is one of the games best at defending and rebounding the ball, Zion is one of the worst.

Sure however, Zion is a rookie who is displayed potential to being an elite two way player in college. Giannis displayed immense potential his rookie season but wasn't an MVP until a few years later. The hope is that Zion loses weight and regains that endurance to be the westbrook/tazmanian devil he was on both ends blocking shots at the very least. I think he can propel his rebounding to 8-9 a game eventually. Right now it seems like hes putting all his energy into scoring and gassed for everything else.

Yeah, might still be a bit behind Giannis defensively if he gets fit just due to Giannis having a massive standing reach but he showed a ton of defensive potential when in shape.

[D.Brasco]

Just becoming more and more skeptic that sadly this kid’s career is just not gonna become what the incredible upside he could have had but it’s becoming painfully clear he’s having a helluva hard time maintaining his weight...

As those who have lived into their 30s, you know it only gets harder and harder to keep your weight down especially as you “fill into your man body”.

Not really. I was pretty fat most of my 20's. I'm almost 40 and I'm 60lbs lighter than I was at 25. Maintaining a healthy weight isn't difficult, it just takes some discipline with your diet.

That is true but we've yet to see that from Zion. He may get his act together but with all the resources at his disposal he shouldn't be struggling with his weight this early in his career.

I'd actually recommend intermittent fasting for him but if he doesn't listen to other's advice it's useless. Shaq was very stubborn with his diet issues but he only really paid the price at the tail end of his career.

[Crizzle]

Just becoming more and more skeptic that sadly this kid’s career is just not gonna become what the incredible upside he could have had but it’s becoming painfully clear he’s having a helluva hard time maintaining his weight...

As those who have lived into their 30s, you know it only gets harder and harder to keep your weight down especially as you “fill into your man body”.

Not really. I was pretty fat most of my 20's. I'm almost 40 and I'm 60lbs lighter than I was at 25. Maintaining a healthy weight isn't difficult, it just takes some discipline with your diet.

That is true but we've yet to see that from Zion. He may get his act together but with all the resources at his disposal he shouldn't be struggling with his weight this early in his career.

I'd actually recommend intermittent fasting for him but if he doesn't listen to other's advice it's useless. Shaq was very stubborn with his diet issues but he only really paid the price at the tail end of his career.

Intermittent Fasting could help some, but he is obviously not disciplined with his diet and work out routine. To be in the shape he is in , its almost as if he completely let him self go. The only "simple" solution is making dramatic changes in his diet . He needs needs to train like crazy as well, but a six pack is made in the kitchen, not in the gym. Obviously exercise is important, but a healthy diet is much more crucial when we are talking about losing weight

[dlts20]

Zion sitting when fighting for a playoff spot? I know that we suck but still. Stop babying him. I played with a lot of fat kids on the playground. It doesn't mean that they will get hurt. Let him play himself into shape

[kg01]

Someone should have him talk to Omari Spellman about his time in Atlanta.

The organization laid out a plan for him to control his weight after he was drafted. He was fit in the preseason but, by late November, he had to be sent to the gleague because he'd gained 50 pounds. In like 2 months.

He's been traded twice since then.

As a #1 pick, Zion will get far more chances than Spellman did. It seems inconceivable that Zion could need to worry about being traded. We're nowhere near that point, clearly.

But it's not like it was easy for a rebuilding Hawks team to jettison a 1st round pick after just 1 season.

[NO-KG-AI]

Someone should have him talk to Omari Spellman about his time in Atlanta.

The organization laid out a plan for him to control his weight after he was drafted. He was fit in the preseason but, by late November, he had to be sent to the gleague because he'd gained 50 pounds. In like 2 months.

He's been traded twice since then.

As a #1 pick, Zion will get far more chances than Spellman did. It seems inconceivable that Zion could need to worry about being traded. We're nowhere near that point, clearly.

But it's not like it was easy for a rebuilding Hawks team to jettison a 1st round pick after just 1 season.

Zion is going to get chances because he doesn't suck like Spellman does.

Zion's weight and conditioning can keep him from being an all time great, but he's already a fantastic player and a huge + on the floor. These comparisons to players that sucked, and sucked more when they got fat is weird.

[kg01]

Someone should have him talk to Omari Spellman about his time in Atlanta.

The organization laid out a plan for him to control his weight after he was drafted. He was fit in the preseason but, by late November, he had to be sent to the gleague because he'd gained 50 pounds. In like 2 months.

He's been traded twice since then.

As a #1 pick, Zion will get far more chances than Spellman did. It seems inconceivable that Zion could need to worry about being traded. We're nowhere near that point, clearly.

But it's not like it was easy for a rebuilding Hawks team to jettison a 1st round pick after just 1 season.

Zion is going to get chances because he doesn't suck like Spellman does.

Zion's weight and conditioning can keep him from being an all time great, but he's already a fantastic player and a huge + on the floor. These comparisons to players that sucked, and sucked more when they got fat is weird.

I think the issue is his weight and conditioning could make him an injury risk.

[NO-KG-AI]

Someone should have him talk to Omari Spellman about his time in Atlanta.

The organization laid out a plan for him to control his weight after he was drafted. He was fit in the preseason but, by late November, he had to be sent to the gleague because he'd gained 50 pounds. In like 2 months.

He's been traded twice since then.

As a #1 pick, Zion will get far more chances than Spellman did. It seems inconceivable that Zion could need to worry about being traded. We're nowhere near that point, clearly.

But it's not like it was easy for a rebuilding Hawks team to jettison a 1st round pick after just 1 season.

Zion is going to get chances because he doesn't suck like Spellman does.

Zion's weight and conditioning can keep him from being an all time great, but he's already a fantastic player and a huge + on the floor. These comparisons to players that sucked, and sucked more when they got fat is weird.

I think the issue is his weight and conditioning could make him an injury risk.

Could, possibly.

[MemphisX]

Zion has not shown in his entire known career, the ability to play starter minutes for 25 games without an injury.

Will it ever happen?

[kassian]

They're managing him. I think it's the best and most careful decision for the organization. They know he's out of shape and has an injury-riddled past, which is why the Pelicans management are trying to avoid injuring the kid. And reality is, Zion can't afford another one at this point.

[abark]

Not really. I was pretty fat most of my 20's. I'm almost 40 and I'm 60lbs lighter than I was at 25. Maintaining a healthy weight isn't difficult, it just takes some discipline with your diet.

That is true but we've yet to see that from Zion. He may get his act together but with all the resources at his disposal he shouldn't be struggling with his weight this early in his career.

I'd actually recommend intermittent fasting for him but if he doesn't listen to other's advice it's useless. Shaq was very stubborn with his diet issues but he only really paid the price at the tail end of his career.

Intermittent Fasting could help some, but he is obviously not disciplined with his diet and work out routine. To be in the shape he is in , its almost as if he completely let him self go. The only "simple" solution is making dramatic changes in his diet . He needs needs to train like crazy as well, but a six pack is made in the kitchen, not in the gym. Obviously exercise is important, but a healthy diet is much more crucial when we are talking about losing weight

It all depends on your body type. Im definitely an ectomorph. I need to take in as many calories as possible to pack on pounds. If I'm not doing that and drinking protein shakes, I'm a twig. But my body will shed fat like it's nothing. Getting the 6-pac was never an issue at any weight.

But everything you said is 100% true for Zion. Unless he has a medical condition, it amazes me that a potential future HOFer could be so careless.

Not only is he hurting himself and his team by treating his body like this. He is also putting himself at risk of serious injury. He is knock kneed, which is already a risk factor. He needs his body to be as lean as possible if he wants to avoid a serious injury.

I don't care how much it hurts his feelings. The Pelicans need to implement some tough love. The Heat manage to successfully get out of shape players to comply with weight programs all the time. The risk of injury or him never living up to his potential greatly outweighs the risk of him leaving if you refuse to play him until he's actually in acceptable shape.

[MotownMadness]

That is true but we've yet to see that from Zion. He may get his act together but with all the resources at his disposal he shouldn't be struggling with his weight this early in his career.

I'd actually recommend intermittent fasting for him but if he doesn't listen to other's advice it's useless. Shaq was very stubborn with his diet issues but he only really paid the price at the tail end of his career.

Intermittent Fasting could help some, but he is obviously not disciplined with his diet and work out routine. To be in the shape he is in , its almost as if he completely let him self go. The only "simple" solution is making dramatic changes in his diet . He needs needs to train like crazy as well, but a six pack is made in the kitchen, not in the gym. Obviously exercise is important, but a healthy diet is much more crucial when we are talking about losing weight

It all depends on your body type. Im definitely an ectomorph. I need to take in as many calories as possible to pack on pounds. If I'm not doing that and drinking protein shakes, I'm a twig. But my body will shed fat like it's nothing. Getting the 6-pac was never an issue at any weight.

But everything you said is 100% true for Zion. Unless he has a medical condition, it amazes me that a potential future HOFer could be so careless.

Not only is he hurting himself and his team by treating his body like this. He is also putting himself at risk of serious injury. He is knock kneed, which is already a risk factor. He needs his body to be as lean as possible if he wants to avoid a serious injury.

I don't care how much it hurts his feelings. The Pelicans need to implement some tough love. The Heat manage to successfully get out of shape players to comply with weight programs all the time. The risk of injury or him never living up to his potential greatly outweighs the risk of him leaving if you refuse to play him until he's actually in acceptable shape.

Man that sounds like me when I was younger all through my 20s but just always naturally had big biceps but could never gain without way over eating.

Now I look like I'm pregnant after one solid dinner in my 30s.