“Keep him at his optimum weight” Chris Broussard hands Zion Williamson with ultimate Charles Barkley motivation
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Chris Broussard compares Zion Williamson and Charles Barkely
Zion Williamson has a plethora of abilities, which has in-turn made him one of the looked after modern-day player. He signed a max rookie extension with the franchise, resulting in many analyst highlighting his weight and fitness issue going against him. Since being drafted first overall back in 2019, it has been a rocky road for Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. After posting best averages of 27 points and 7.2 rebounds in his second season, the 21-year-old missed all of last year due to a foot injury.
He fared well when he was on the court, but an issue of his availability is a main concern for the team. Citing this issue, the extension deal does have one interesting clause in it. If Zion Williamson weighs in at over 295 pounds, it will result in him losing out on guaranteed money. So keep eye on the weight Zion.
Deals like this are extremely rare, but one analyst feels New Orleans made the right move. FS1’s Chris Broussard recently compared his situation with Williamson to that of Hall of Fame big man Charles Barkley. “This is great for Zion. Alright, he may need the external pressure to do this. I think it’s going to make him a much better player. Keep him at his optimum weight.”
While adding the Chuckster in the mix, he said, “Charles Barkley, a lot of people Compare him to Zion, remember He said he lost 40 pounds or something like that when he got into the league and the rest was history.”
New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson look all set for 2023 season
Zion Williamson is the Pelicans’ sensational player and after Anthony Davis left the franchise, Williamson brought new energy to the team. Looking at the contract from all angles, it’s hard to disagree that New Orleans made the wrong move by putting this clause in Williamson’s new deal. In reality, they invested in their franchise cornerstone while also giving themselves a safety net.
Two seasons ago, the young star looked set for the big launch in the league. Williamson proved he has the potential to be the league’s next big thing, his combination of size and athleticism is something the NBA hasn’t seen before. It was rather considered that he was near impossible to slow down. And With his plays on the floor, the Pelicans managed to sustain through a difficult period post-Anthony Davis trade.
Many people were amazed by the weight clause in the contract, but as Broussard said, it could be a great thing for Williamson moving forward. It will keep him in check and the outside pressure to get into optimal shape could be the push he needs to fully un-tap his potential. It will immensely impact his gameplay, providing longevity to his career also.
Following the addition of CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram; New Orleans will have an exciting big three if Williamson can be an everyday figure in the lineup. Williamson expressed gratitude towards his fans and franchise for trusting him with the contract and also vowed to deliver his best for them. Well if the Pelicans can get the best of Williamson, consistency of Ingram, the experience of CJ McCollum, and a very potent support cast, they can be a real threat in the upcoming seasons.
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)