Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans star, has been facing challenges with his diet and conditioning, leading to a lackluster performance in the current NBA season. After missing the entire 2021-22 season and the majority of last season due to injury, Williamson has returned to the court but is averaging a career-low of 22.2 points per game in 19 contests. In his last four games, he has scored less than 14 points in three of them.
During the In-Season Tournament semifinals, Williamson showed signs of being out of shape, struggling to move quickly on the court while only scoring 13 points. In contrast, 38-year-old LeBron James, in his 21st NBA season, dropped 30 points during the same game.
The Pelicans have repeatedly advised Williamson to improve his diet and conditioning, but it appears that he has not been receptive to their advice. Despite being just 23 years old, he has acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with his wealth and fame. However, he has expressed a willingness to learn from those with wisdom and make positive changes.
In addition to his on-court struggles, Williamson has also faced off-court drama involving a former adult film actress, Moriah Mills. Mills claimed to have a sex tape with Williamson and threatened to sue him for the damages caused to her life.
Despite these challenges, Williamson’s teammate CJ McCollum has stated that he is in a “good space.” It is worth noting that Williamson’s previous seasons have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in limited game time. However, it is clear that he has been unable to stay healthy and deliver consistent performances.
Overall, Zion Williamson’s struggles with diet and conditioning have affected his performance on the court, leading to concerns about his ability to reach his full potential. The Pelicans and fans alike hope that he can address these issues and return to his previous level of play.
