Pelicans Mock Stephen A. Smith For Reigniting Criticism of Zion Williamson’s Eating Habits

Stephen A. Smith has often relayed inside information on New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson's eating habits.

Pelicans Mock Stephen A. Smith For Reigniting Criticism of Zion Williamson’s Eating Habits

Stephen A. Smith and Zion Williamson (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Stephen A. Smith criticized Zion Williamson's eating habits as a factor in his injuries.
  • The New Orleans Pelicans responded by mocking Smith on social media, referencing his basketball skills.
  • The ongoing feud highlights tensions between the analyst and the franchise regarding Williamson's performance.

When Zion Williamson struggled with his injuries, Stephen A. Smith was one of his most vocal critics, often citing his eating habits as the reason for the forward’s inability to stay healthy.

The ESPN analyst often used the term, ‘he would eat the table,’ to describe how much the 25-year-old loved to gorge on the food that the state of Louisiana is famous for.

Smith even went on to reveal that his sources confirmed how chefs in and around New Orleans loved to lay out the red carpet for Williamson, knowing the young superstar would bring his entourage, racking up huge bills.

At that time, the New Orleans Pelicans tried to clap back at the 58-year-old with references to his struggles to shoot a basketball. Even though Stephen A. Smith replied with enough barbs about their woes, the back-and-forth did not stop.

It only came to a cease once Zion Williamson’s uncle had a long chat with the ESPN executive producer. However, that war of words has now returned.

Stick to solitaire Stephen.

New Orleans Pelicans wrote on X

This was the franchise’s media department throwing shade at Smith with his basketball and boxing woes. They essentially reposted the video they originally published during the first altercation.

But this time, they added the analyst’s recent tryst with Solitaire while on the job. After all, they wanted to make sure the father of two knew that they had their leading player’s back.

Stephen A. Smith was the first to draw a shot against Zion Williamson

This was essentially the New Orleans Pelicans’ response to Stephen A. Smith, after the latter drew first fire when he took a shot at Zion Williamson after the latter appeared on his network to relay how ‘hurt’ he was when the analyst and others came at him the first time.

Zion Williamson has been noticeably fitter this season
Zion Williamson has been noticeably fitter this season (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

Nothing was made up… You got people that are alcoholics, you got people that are drug addicts, and stuff like that. What was Zion’s problem? Food! Food addict!

Stephen A. Smith said

This was what the Queens, New York, native said when First Take was discussing the Pelicans star’s sentiments as he detailed to Malika Andrews on NBA Today.

He also revealed that none of his comments from more than two years ago were made up. Instead, he had received first-hand knowledge from some within the Pelicans organization and those from Williamson’s inner circle.

Smith reiterated that he was not making undue allegations. Rather, it was what became evident as neither could the former first-overall pick remain healthy, and neither was his passion towards the game evident.

Pelicans troll Stephen A. Smith again

The New Orleans Pelicans reposted that video after Stephen A. Smith‘s comments from First Take surfaced on social media. Soon, the analyst spotted their attempts to troll him and wrote this on X.

Pulling out stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago, ???? No problem. See y’all tomorrow on First Take. Remember one thing: YOU ASKED FOR THiS!!!!

Stephen A. Smith wrote

This sounded as if the recently turned political commentator was going to go off on the franchise for trolling him again with clips exposing his (lack of) athletic skills.

In response, the Pelicans’ media team posted another tweet, this time using a GIF of Max Kellerman, Smith’s former First Take colleague, smirking and mocking whoever he is looking at.

Again, the franchise does not seem to be worried about what the $100 million contract holder would say about them or their two-time All-Star. The Pelicans are evidently not backing down, and neither is Smith.

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