Report Zion Williamson annoyed by ridicule about weight, idea he doesn’t put in work

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).

However, Zion is bothered by the idea that people think his weight is a sign he doesn’t love the game or want to be great, reports William Guillory at The Athletic.

Williamson understands how much his weight has been a topic of discussion. While the Pels star has always tried to say the right thing whenever asked about his weight, people around Williamson maintain the constant ridicule he’s dealt with annoys him just as much as you’d expect.

But it’s not so much about people making fat jokes. Williamson has dealt with those kinds of jeers from opposing crowds most of his playing career. From what I’ve heard, it truly bothers him because people use his apparent weight gains in the past as proof that Williamson doesn’t like to work or doesn’t care about doing what’s necessary to be great. Williamson has always maintained that he has a deep love for the game, and he’s determined to