“They’re getting ready for playoffs…” Zion Williamson hilariously calls reporter ‘liar’ after tricky question about NBA referees

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently 5th placed in the Western Conference ahead of the playoffs.

“They’re getting ready for playoffs…” Zion Williamson hilariously calls reporter ‘liar’ after tricky question about NBA referees

Zion Williamson jokingly calls reporter a liar during press conference.

In the NBA, players’ opinions on officials and their calls have always been controversial. Players need to stay careful while sharing their opinions about the referees. The NBA has strict rules relating to players disrespecting the match officials. If a player publicly calls out or disrespects a referee, the league punishes the athlete with large fines.

The New Orleans Pelicans played against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. After the game, Pelicans star Zion Williamson attended the press conference. During the presser, the Pelicans forward was asked a question that could have got him into trouble, but the player gave a hilarious answer trying to save himself. The question was about the NBA officiating in recent games.

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The reporter asked if Williamson had noticed any differences in calls by the referees in the last few games. The journalist suggested that the foul calls that result in free throws have decreased since January, adding that he has no motives for Williamson to “get in trouble”. The 23-year-old laughed and said:

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Wow. You're a liar. You're trying to get me in trouble. No, I'm just messing. If I had to take a guess, they're getting ready for playoffs.
Zion Williamson said

According to the star, the players will not get the calls in playoffs that they are getting now. The forward added to his answer:

Anybody that I know that's been in the playoffs, especially vets they say in the playoffs a lot of those calls, people aren't gonna get. Maybe they're just preparing everybody for what the playoffs are gonna look like.
Zion Williamson added

In the playoffs, referees will allow more physicality during games, suggested Williamson. This is the way for the officials to prepare the players for June.

Zion Williamson will participate in dunk contest under one condition

This year’s NBA All-Star weekend was held in Indianapolis. The event went viral for many reasons but one of the most talked about topics was the Slam Dunk contest. Fans were extremely unsatisfied with the matchup and expressed disappointment. The fans even gave their suggestions and choices for next year’s contest. One of the names was of the Pelicans’ young star.

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Williamson was asked in a press conference if he has thought about participating in the contest in future. The star gave a straightforward answer saying:

If I'm in the All-Star game, I'll do the dunk contest. If I'm not, I'm not doing it.
Zion Williamson said

The athlete was not selected as an All-Star this year. Fans will have to wait till next year to see if the forward gets selected and participates in the competition.

The player is known to have high jumping abilities and dominate the rim and this season is turning out to be well for him. This year the Pelicans are playing great as they are the 5th team in the Western Conference with the help of Williamson who is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists with 57.8 FG%.

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