Zion Williamson is unique — there is not another athlete like him in the NBA. It’s not just his strength and explosiveness, it’s his build and how his body reacts.
There are stories about how the Pelicans had to cut back and retool his weightlifting workouts because he put on muscle (and with that weight) too quickly and easily.
Zion has heard ridicule for his weight — which has gotten above 300 pounds at times — going back to the AAU circuit. That talk didn’t come out of nowhere, league sources have told NBC Sports of his questionable eating habits and inconsistent focus on fitness.
The Pelicans put a weight and body fat percentage clause in his new max contract extension, although that’s not as punitive as some fans think (it only matters if New Orleans waives Zion during the contract, and if it gets to that point there are bigger issues).