After being subjected to several “fat” and “overweight” jokes, Zion Williamson finally proved all the naysayers wrong this season. Missing out on the entirety of the 2021-2022 season, the New Orleans Pelicans had an incredible start to the current campaign.
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Despite missing out on the services of Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans have been fairing pretty well. With an impressive 24-15 record, the Louisiana-based franchise is one of the top-most teams in the Western Conference. While CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, and the remaining players on the roster are also to be credited for the team’s success, there is no denying that “Zanos” has been the most impactful player.
Things were going extremely great for Willie Green’s boys entering the new calendar year. However, the Pelicans received a huge blow to start 2023. During the 2nd Jan contest against the Philadelphia 76ers, Zion didn’t play the entire fourth quarter.
A day later, the franchise confirmed that the 6-foot-6 guard had suffered a right hamstring strain.
“Don’t think Zion Williamson is ever going to play or sniff 70+ games”: Eddie Johnson
As a result of the injury, the former Duke Blue Devil will be missing out on multiple weeks.
Amid his injury, haters have resumed trolling the youngster for being injury-prone. Further, several basketball personalities have given their two cents on the issue.
Eddie Johnson, a former 17-year veteran, recently stated that the 284-pound forward’s body is not built to play basketball. Also saying that the southpaw might never play 70+ games in a single season ever, the 1989 Sixth Man of the Year told Justin Termine of SiriusXM NBA Radio:
“I don’t think Zion Williamson is ever going to play or sniff 70+ games,” the 63-year-old said. “I’ve said this even before he got drafted. We’ve never seen a body this big, this explosive play this game. You’ve seen big guys but not this explosive, off the perimeter, dribbling and moving like a guard. Never seen this for a guy this size.
He puts so much torque on his body. His body is not built to play this game. It’s not. But he is very good at this game and that’s why he plays it. He’s gonna pay a price, man.”
Pelicans announce Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and will be evaluated in three weeks.@TermineRadio & @JumpShot8 react to the news. pic.twitter.com/2McFufptCD
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 4, 2023
Zion’s dominance prior to the hamstring injury
Prior to the horrific injury, Williamson was playing some of the best basketball of his career. Averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, the 22-year-old was ranked as high as #6 on the MVP Ladder.
🏀Zion Williamson is expected to be out for at least three weeks after acquiring a hamstring injury. Williamson has been dominant with 26 PTS on 60.8% shooting, 7 REBS and 4.6 assists, leading his squad to the 3rd spot in the Western Conference.#InjuryUpdate #NBA #SportsNews pic.twitter.com/KQ2kVm06Ai
— VOdds (@vodds_official) January 4, 2023
Having to miss the next few weeks, the Pels will have a hard time facing powerhouses of the likes of the Celtics, the Nuggets, and the Bucks.
It’ll be interesting to see what NOLA’s standing will be in the West until Williamson’s return.
Also Read: $4 Million Worth Rapper’s Gift to Zion Williamson the Secret Incredible 2022-2023 Performance?
