Zion Williamson Reveals How Media’s Excessive Criticism For His Injuries Affected Him: “I Was Really Low”

Zion Williamson is playing the final year of his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans and will be a free agent this summer.

Zion Williamson Reveals How Media’s Excessive Criticism For His Injuries Affected Him: “I Was Really Low”

Pelicans star Zion Williamson (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Zion Williamson expressed that excessive media criticism during his injury struggles left him feeling "really low."
  • He believes he is finally healthy and has shed weight, contributing to improved performance this season.
  • Williamson aims to win a championship with the New Orleans Pelicans but currently lacks a contract beyond this season.

When Zion Williamson blew the lid off college basketball, everyone labeled him as the next best thing since LeBron James. Those who believed in the hype felt the Duke star would be the next ‘Face of Basketball.’

But every passing year he was in the league, those hopes started to vanish. Injury after injury left fans wanting more, and analysts were wondering about his durability.

Then, after missing the entire 2021-22 season, it became evident that the North Carolina native could not stay fit. His eating habits came to the fore as he looked like he had put on a lot of weight.

The likes of Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal took turns to mock the former first-overall pick. The former was the most aggressive, suggesting that Williamson was something so enthralled by the food in New Orleans that he would ‘eat the table.’

The most difficult point was when I missed my third year with a broken foot. There was a lot of criticism on my weight, my care for the game… It was very frustrating. I was really low because I just wanted to play basketball. But everytime I turn the TV on or I check my phone, it was nothing but negative criticism.

Zion Williamson told Malika Andrews

The 25-year-old told the ESPN host that during those injury struggles, the news from the doctor’s was already disappointing. On top of that, to always see himself being criticized left him ‘hurt.’

Zion Williamson believes he is finally healthy

During those years, all Zion Williamson could do was take every blow coming from the media and work on his health and his game. Last season, he did manage to shed a lot of weight.

Zion Williamson playing against the Heat
Zion Williamson playing against the Heat (Image via Jim Eichenhofer/X)

That gave hope that the forward was about to revitalize his career. But again, he was injured and missed a lot of games. This time, he has played in 82% of his team’s games, as he believes he is in prime shape.

I’m very mobile, and I just feel free.

Zion Williamson said

The 6’6″ star reiterated that he feels he is playing good basketball. Around this time, Malika Andrews asked why he felt that he was playing ‘freely.’

To this, Williamson replied that even though he played some of his best basketball during the 2023-24 season, this time he has the freedom to play the way he wants.

It could be due to their coaching change after a disastrous 2-10 start to the season. Since then, they have won 17 more games, while losing 33. This 51% win rate could be seen as an improvement.

However, Zion Williamson made it clear that fans and the media might not think so as usually winning is seen as a good indication of how well a player is playing.

Zion Williamson wants to win a championship in New Orleans

Zion Williamson might be playing with the most freedom he has enjoyed in the seven-year NBA career. But his time with the New Orleans Pelicans could come to a stop if they do not offer him another contract.

New Orleans is home for me… In the offseason, I stay in New Orleans, and just move around the city… I want to do what I can to help New Orleans win. If we can win a championship, I mean if you look at the impact Drew Brees had winning the Super Bowl, you’re forever.

Zion Williamson said

It seems the forward wants to stay and help the city win a championship. However, he does not have a contract beyond this season, as the final three years of his previous five-year, $197 million extension were voided because he did not play enough games.

With this answer, he seems to want to stay in New Orleans, hoping to get a new deal to stay as long as he can. But going by his history, the Pelicans might include a lot of clauses, just to be safe.

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