“Pathetic” – Latest Zion Williamson update gets SLAMMED by Pelicans superstar’s teammate

Zion Williamson, ever since he was drafted in 2019, has faced criticism regarding his weight management issues. He has also been brought up in various trade talks, with various reports indicating that the former number-one pick might be on his way out of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Recently, a report from Ric Bucher said that Williamson is not looking to develop a floater or a pull jumper. The report’s authenticity was quickly debunked by Williamson’s teammate, Larry Nance Jr., who came to his Pelicans brother’s rescue. Williamson has yet to respond to Bucher’s claims, but Nance Jr. is done with all the controversial reports aimed at his teammates, given that the 23-year-old has not even played a game since January.

Bucher made the statement on his “On The Ball Podcast” where he said, “Where are the floaters, up and under layups, his pull-up jumpers at the elbow? Now from what I’ve been told, he’s shown no interest in developing any of those tricks.” The NBA analyst further cited his claims to be from an anonymous source.

Pelican’s big man Larry Nance Jr. quickly came to Williamson’s defense on Twitter, saying, “I don’t understand the constant attempt to drag Z’s name. I’m in the gym with this dude all season and he’s consistently putting in work on his touch, jumper, and skill shots.” Responding to Butcher’s report, he added, “These dudes need to stop putting out fake stories just for clicks. It’s pathetic.”

Maintaining a low public profile for several months, Williamson is eagerly anticipating a grand return next season, aiming to make a significant impact with the team. The Pelicans held the top seed in the Western Conference before the talented one-time All-Star faced an injury setback in early January during the previous season.

Related: Zion Williamson’s strenuous relationship with Pelicans gets REVEALED by NBA insider

Zion Williamson and his injury history

Zion Williamson was projected to be the next big thing when he was selected with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. However, despite his immense potential and the buzz surrounding him, four years have passed since his rookie season, and Williamson is yet to make his debut in the NBA Playoffs.

The Pelicans forward averaged an impressive 26.0 ppg, 7.0 APG, and 4.6 RPG last season but missed the majority of the games after he was sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Undoubtedly, talent has never been a concern for this star player. However, availability has been a persistent issue, with the forward appearing in just 114 games since 2019.

Back in April, he opened up about how missing so much time has affected him personally. “The s–t sucks … For those people who think I just want to sit on the sideline to sit over there, I don’t know why people think that. Nah, it sucks. I just want to be playing basketball,” he said.

Williamson’s unfortunate streak of missed games can be traced back to 2019 when he suffered a meniscus tear, causing him to sit out 44 games during his rookie season. In 2020, he encountered another injury, which led to him missing a few of the season-ending games. The following year, in 2021, Williamson experienced two significant injuries that resulted in him being sidelined for the entire 2021-22 season.

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to finally get back on track this upcoming season. The New Orleans team’s success is undeniably contingent upon the health and availability of Zion Williamson, as they aspire to secure their first playoff appearance with the dynamic core of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Williamson leading the charge

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