Zion Williamson knows all was not well last year with the New Orleans Pelicans, and he wants to make one thing very clear.
He's a "hooper," and the sidelines in street clothes is not where he wants to be. He explained that and more during an impromptu interview on Gilbert Arenas' podcast, where he talked about his weight, diet, rehab and more.
“I just want to hoop. I want to be out there. Don’t nobody want to just sit on the sidelines. I think that’s the part I want people at least to understand. I don’t want to be on the sideline," Williamson said. "Y’all think I want to sit over there hurt? I don’t. But like Coach [Mike Kryszewski] taught me, own up to my responsibilities. There are a lot of things I could’ve done better. I didn’t, and I’m in the process of fixing those wrongs.”
It's a positive outlook from a player who has been ascendantly good when on the floor, but simply not available often enough. Williamson averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists and was named an All-Star starter after 29 games this past season, but missed the All-Star Game with a hamstring injury that ultimately kept him out the rest of the season. The 23-year-old also raised eyebrows when he said in an interview that he was physically ready to play, but didn't feel back to himself.
Zion drew even more ire when he was seen warming up prior to a play-in tournament game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, throwing down dunks before sitting on the sidelines for a home loss that ended the Pelicans' season.
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There were rumors that Williamson, despite being a superstar, was potentially on the trade market for a top draft pick this season, but New Orleans ultimately stood pat and selected Jordan Hawkins at No. 14, a clear indicator they are ready to run it back with the core of Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. The star forward was asked about his routine, and he indicated that he doesn't see diet as his main issue.
"I’m always able to come back each summer feeling good, looking good," Williamson said. "But I would say it’s more of just locking in on flexibility band work, because I think it’s those things that will keep me on the court longer versus just losing a bunch of weight and then coming to play and not being able to maintain that. I mean, sh**, [LeBron James has] got the blueprint and I’m going to try my best to follow it.”
Click here to listen to the full interview with Zion Williamson
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