- O'Neal and Barkley were critical of the Pelicans star's performance last week
- They argued that he needed to improve physically to reach the next level
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Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley have defended their recent criticism of Zion Williamson and the Pelicans star's weight gain, insisting they just “want him to be great.”
Last week, O'Neal called out Williamson for not running fast enough or rebounding in an NBA on TNT segment.
The four-time NBA champion said: “This isn't a diss, this is going to be a lesson from one big man to another man who can be really big – (he) doesn't run fast. I had the same problem my freshman and sophomore year.
“My talent gets me 20 (points), but when I went (from) 20 to 30 and 40, it was because I started doing certain things.”
Barkley chimed in on that same segment, claiming that there are “two guys on his team that are better players than him, and they shouldn't be.”
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley defended their recent criticism of Zion Williamson
Williamson then delivered the perfect response with a dominant 36-point performance to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves last week and in the aftermath seemed to wonder where their criticism came from.
“If it comes from a place where they just want me to do better, thank you,” he said.
'But if it comes from somewhere else, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I have no control over that.'
When asked if he had any answer, O'Neal insisted he only said it because he wants the Pelicans star to thrive.
He said Tuesday night, “I'm the president when it comes to being a dominant big man. I'm the authority, I'm the go-to guy.
“I sat there and looked at him. I said he doesn't run fast, he doesn't make easy baskets for himself and it looked like he wasn't ready.
'That was me telling him, “If you do this, you can go to the next level.” We only criticize people we like and believe in.”
Williamson and the Pelicans were narrowly defeated by the Grizzlies and an inspired Ja Morant
Barkley interrupted and added, “What's interesting is why would he care about where it comes from? It comes from a place of, we want him to be great.”
The pair spoke before Williamson and the Pelicans were narrowly defeated by the Grizzlies and an inspired Ja Morant.
Stephen A. Smith was perhaps the most outspoken critic, ranting about how Zion “looks fat” in an episode of his podcast.
“Zion Williamson… went to the free throw line. Ladies and gentlemen, I saw a belly. A stomach. For example, when he took a deep breath, his stomach bounced,” Smith said.
“What's wrong, Zion? It's bad enough when you get knocked down… But you look like you came to the game having just eaten a buffet.
'Not something from the buffet, I said the buffet. Like you ate that damn table… It's fat.”
Reports indicate that the Pelicans have repeatedly advised the star that his diet needs to improve, but Williamson apparently 'isn't listening'.