Zion Williamson ripped by former New Orleans Pelicans teammate JJ Redick for not being a better teammate

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been absent from the court this season due to a foot injury, but according to JJ Redick, Williamson has been absent as a teammate his entire time in the NBA.

«There's a responsibility that you have as an athlete when you play a team sport to be fully invested. You're fully invested in your body, you're fully invested in your work and you're fully invested in your teammates. That is your responsibility and we have not seen that from Zion,» Redick said Tuesday on First Take.

Redick and Williamson were teammates with the Pelicans for parts of the past two seasons before Redick announced his retirement and joined ESPN as an NBA analyst before this season.

Redick said he voiced his concerns with Williamson while in New Orleans.

«This is something I addressed with Zion in front of the team,» Redick said. «This is going back to his rookie year.»

Williamson's possible issues as a teammate came into public view during this past weekend's All-Star festivities when CJ McCollum said he hasn't spoken to Williamson since he was traded to New Orleans from Portland at the trade deadline.

«I haven't had conversations with him directly… I've spoken with some people close to him and look forward to sitting down with him sooner than later,» McCollum said Saturday night. «I know about as much as you do right now, but I'm gonna get to the bottom of it.»

Redick said Williamson's silence toward McCollum is part of a «pattern of behavior.»

«This just shows a complete lack of investment in your team, in the organization, in the city,» Redick said. «I get that he's hurt and away from the team, but you just traded for one of the 50 best players in the league — a guy that's supposed to be paired with