Zion Williamson was called out live on TV as he was sitting out the game of the New Orleans Pelicans against the New York Knicks. Hews, however, was not recognized or given a shoutout, but rather trolled by veteran play-by-play announcer and commentator Mike Breen.
During the game where the Pelicans lost to the Knicks 104-93, ZionWilliamson was caught by the camera sitting at the bench, out of the game, and wearing street clothes. Mike Breen, who was one of the commentators for the game, did not miss the chance to take notice of Zion and roast him while at it.
“Zion Williamson in a familiar spot, on the bench in street clothes,” Breen said. “Unfortunately, this amazing talent just has not been able to stay healthy in his career.”
Zion, since becoming the #1 overall pick for the 2019 NBA draft, has suffered through injuries season after season. In 2021, Williamson missed the entire season due to a fracture on his right foot. He has only played six games so far for the 2024-2025 season.
Is Zion Williamson All Talent But No Effort?
Zion Williamson has gone a long since becoming the overall #1 pick for the 2019 NBA draft, but he has not gone the way initial expectations were looking for him to go. Since his rookie season, Williamson’s presence on the court has been on an on-or-off basis, and he has suffered through multiple injuries every season since he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Throughout the years, NBA colleagues have expressed their honest opinion on Zion Williamson’s availability, particularly in key games and in key moments.
In 2023, former NBA center Stephen Jackson criticized Williamson for not showing up when his team needed him most.
“He’s missed a lot of games, bro. Got his money, right? At this point, let’s just see what you got,” Jackson said. “If you just can’t go and it’s looking that bad, yeah we’ll shut you down. I don’t think being off and rehabbing, whatever you’ve been doing, has done anything for you because you’ve been out for so long.”
Stephen Jackson calls out Zion Williamson for not playing last night
“I think your teammates will respect you more if you try to give it a shot”
(Via @shobasketball )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 13, 2023
On the other hand, for former teammate Jrue Holiday, Zion is a talented person but may be suffering from being in the wrong place and not being able to bloom because of it.
“Zion is one of the most gifted players that I’ve ever seen,” Holiday said on a podcast with Paul George. “I don’t know if they have to adjust the fit to him down there, or if he maybe needs to slide out and have a different fit with somebody else, but I feel like he needs a change in some kind of way.”
Zion’s talent is generational, but his former teammate Jrue Holiday wants to see a bit more effort from him.
“I’d have him play a little more defense.”
More on the new episode out now 📺: https://t.co/HlpYXGa0XB pic.twitter.com/fOLrVf6IlB
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) December 2, 2024
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