根據紐奧良當地媒體《Times-Picayune》的隨隊記者Christian Clark報導,球隊主力球員Zion Williamson的體態多次被球隊管理層提及,認爲他自從加入球隊以來,告知Zion需要在他的體態進步,但屢勸不聽。
The Pelicans have repeatedly stressed to Zion Williamson that his ‘diet and conditioning’ need to improve, per @cclark_13.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 8, 2023
But Zion reportedly still 'doesn't listen.' pic.twitter.com/KPpglUF2nd
且在裡面報導中指出Zion對體態的職業態度已經讓鵜鶘隊失望多年,從季初開始他的體態還每況愈下,甚至更加糟糕。
鵜鶘在昨日遭到44分血洗,Zion在場上+/-值-33遭到許多人批評,昨日賽後輸球後則是說:「我必須更積極找到我的投籃狀況,為我的球隊勝利做更多的事情,我認為我今天的比賽太過輕鬆,我不能這樣做。」
For @YahooSports: On the Pelicans' flop in Las Vegas, and what Zion Williamson says is holding him back https://t.co/PhE8zB0Yfg
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 8, 2023
Zion這個賽季雖然場均還有22.2分,命中率5成74,但這都是生涯最低的場均分數、命中率,體態依舊是他職業生涯最大的課題。