New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson hasn't played a single minute this season due to setbacks in his recovery from offseason foot surgery, and concerns about his weight and durability have grabbed headlines for months.
But viral photos of Williamson's physique and rumors about his weight should be taken with a grain of salt, according to Pelicans TV analyst Antonio Daniels. He's seen Williamson in person, and believes the former first-overall pick isn't battling any sort of weight problem.
"I'll stand by this until the day I die: a lot of these pictures that you guys are seeing nationally are doctored. Because I've seen the originals," Daniels told the Tiki and Tierney show on Tuesday. "It's all for likes and comments. If you send a picture of Zion in shape or looking a lot better than people perceive, does that really get the feedback that you want?
"The time where he was ramping up -- where he actually started running and playing 3v3 before the swelling came -- he was getting back into shape. He was getting back into form. That's why I know that the photos are doctored, because I see him every single day. I think it's sad... What we're doing, to put a narrative out about him and continue that narrative to drive up comments and negative feedback online, I think it's sad."
According to an October report from Bleacher Report, Williamson lost some control of his weight during the offseason, reaching "north of 300 pounds." The report also noted that, when Williamson traveled for a preseason game, some NBA personnel "were struck by his heavier appearance," as he looked noticeably heavier than his listed playing weight of 284 pounds.
Last week, the team announced that Williamson received a biologic injection in his repaired right foot to stimulate bone healing, and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. The 21-year-old phenomenon fractured his foot in August, during an offseason workout ahead of summer league play.
Williamson has a mounting injury history. Although he averaged a team-high 27 points with 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games for the Pelicans last season, he played only 24 games during his rookie campaign in 2019 after tearing his right meniscus during training camp. Last year, his season ended prematurely due to a fractured left ring finger, which cost him six games.
New Orleans (10-21), which owns the worst record in the West, will host the Portland Trail Blazers (13-18) on Tuesday night. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Pelicans are projected to win 34 games this season, and they currently have a 13-percent chance to reach the playoffs.
The entire NBA conversation between Daniels and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
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