Zion Williamson has been receiving some criticism over his weight lately, but nothing compared to the way Charles Barkley roasted the young Pelicans star on Tuesday night.
The “Inside the NBA” crew aired footage of the injured Williamson warming up prior to a Pelicans game when Barkley uttered, “looks like me and Shaq had a baby.”
Shaquille O’Neal nearly keeled over from laughing, but Barkley, who was on the heftier side during his career, began explaining that he is both joking and being serious.
“First of all, I’m concerned. I am really concerned and I tell this story — I’m being critical. It is what it is,” Barkley said. “Moses Malone said to me I was fat and lazy. And I started to cry a little bit. I did. I couldn’t kick his ass cuz he’s Moses Malone. But it was a turning point in my career.
“You should not get hurt when you’re young. [Zion] has already had surgery on his legs, now he’s got a broken foot. He’s going to have to learn even when you’re hurt you’re going to have to control your eating. Because when guys get hurt and they come back, you’re trying to get in shape. If you’re putting all that stress on your knees and your feet, you’re just gonna keep getting hurt. Somebody’s gotta be a grown person down in that relationship and say, ‘Yo man, you gotta get in shape.’”
Kenny Smith agreed with Barkley’s assessment and cautioned that Williamson does not look like someone who is only two to three weeks away from rejoining the team.
“He’s a great skilled player but that is not basketball shape,” Smith said. “That’s not a two weeks away ready body for the NBA. That’s not the guy that we’ve seen flying through the air with the greatest of ease, either.”
Listen to New Orleans sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Pelicans team gear
Barkley interjected saying Williamson needs someone to be what Moses Malone was to him.
“Somebody gotta say, ‘Yo man, you gotta get in shape. We can’t win without you.’”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram