Charles Barkley may have unintentionally roasted Zion Williamson during a recent TV segment.
There have been serious concerns about the New Orleans Pelicans star potentially gaining too much weight as he tries to get healthy, so Barkley decided to help him out with the perfect advice.
“If it tastes good, spit it out,” Barkley said during a Thursday night NBA segment on TNT.
Shaq could not contain his laughter.
Amid laughter from his co-hosts in the studio, Barkley clarified that his remark was all in fun.
“We joke around, but we want this kid to get healthy ‘cause he’s got so much talent, seems like a great kid,” Barkley went on. “But the Pelicans gotta put their foot down. You’re gonna make a billion dollars if you can just get your weight under control.”
He then spoke on his own career.
“How many people around me would have told me I was fat and lazy?” he said. “‘Cause when you’re in the limelight, most people around you are enablers. ‘Cause you paying all the bills, you buying all the meals literally. They’re not gonna say, ‘Yo man, you’re gonna eat your way out the NBA.’
“Wonder who’s around Zion ‘cause I would sit him down and say, ‘Yo man, they giving money away to bums who can’t play. You’ve got so much talent. You could be the best player in the NBA,’” Barkley continued. “One of my problems with the NBA has always been, when I came to the NBA, we had veterans. Who’s the oldest player on the Pelicans? I think probably Brandon Ingram, and he’s like 25.”
Zion joined the Pelicans in 2019 as they picked him with their first pick in the 2019 NBA draft. A meniscus injury marred his rookie season as he sustained an injury during pre-season. He made his debut in 2020 in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but it was memeorable for a short stint in the game where he just could not stop scoring.
Fans of the NBA had promoted New Orleans Pelicans star, Zion Williamson, as the next big thing to emerge from the NCAA. His performances during his college career with the Duke Blue Devils enhanced his fame. So far, his career has been marred by long abscences on the court.
