Will Zion Williamson Listen To Charles Barkley's Advice?

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had candid advice for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson.

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had strong and candid advice for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson — but will he listen?   

While on the Steam Room Podcast with host Ernie Johnson Jr., Barkley shared his thoughts on Zion's weight issues.  Why?   It's because Sir Charles was in his shoes as a young NBA player battling weight issues until his teammate and Hall of Famer Moses Malone gave him sage advice to extend his career.

"Zion Williamson, Yo, man, I don't know you.  We've never met,"  Barkley said during the podcast.  "Somebody gotta tell you like, yo, man, you gotta get in shape because you're going to keep getting hurt if you're out of shape.  I don't think that your coach has enough power to tell you what to do.  I don't think David Griffin, who's a friend of mine, has enough power to tell you what to do.  I'm so blessed for Moses Malone, who told me to get my fat ____ in shape and made me lose 50 pounds.  It changed the whole dynamic of my life. I hope you don't take this the wrong way.  I want you to be a great basketball player. I've been in your shoes, being very talented, being overweight."

Zion Williamson and Charles Barkley; Credit: USA Today Sports

Injuries have plagued Zion Williamson early in his young NBA career.  Last season, he missed games after a hamstring injury against Philadelphia on Jan 2.  The All-Star forward did not play the entire 2021-22 season due to a foot injury.  A recent poll says New Orleans fans are getting restless, and so is Zion. Towards the end of the season, during a media session, Zion expressed his frustration saying, "Physically, I'm fine.  Now it's just a matter of when I feel like Zion."

Sports Illustrated's Madison Williams wrote on Zion's health issues: "Williamson's lengthy injury timeline started in his rookie season back in 2019 when the Pelicans star tore his meniscus.  The following season, he suffered a fractured thumb. Then he missed the entire 2021–22 season because of a fracture in his right foot."

Williamson has played 114 games in four seasons for New Orleans. The Pelicans were clinging to the top spot in the NBA Western Division until Zion's most recent injury setback.  The absence of Zion Williamson from the New Orleans Pelicans' lineup poses a significant challenge for them to win their division and compete for an NBA championship.  Weight could be one of the contributing factors playing a role in his injuries.  To stay healthy and available for the Pelicans in 2023-24, Williamson could follow Lebron James' example of investing millions in the upkeep of his body.

Will one of the most dominant players in the league listen to Barkley and employ King James' strategy?

We shall see.