As the NBA gears up for another season, the annual “Muscle Watch” frenzy has kicked off, with Zion Williamson once again in the spotlight. A recent photo from a basketball camp Williamson held in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, went viral, igniting discussions about his current physical condition.
In the photo, Zion appears to be in better shape than we’ve seen in recent years, even though he’s stretching his neck and the angle of the shot might be a bit misleading. His stepfather revealed that Zion currently weighs 281 pounds—down from the 284 pounds he played at during his time at Duke—and has a goal of reaching 272 pounds by the start of the NBA season.
A video from the same event provides a more comprehensive look at Zion’s physique. While he doesn’t look as lean as the photo suggests, it’s clear that he’s in good shape and has been working on his conditioning.
Pelicans Star forward Zion Williamson said earlier today at his camp that CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy are his favorite teammates. pic.twitter.com/1m9M34I5C8
— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) August 18, 2024
Williamson faced significant criticism last season, especially after the Pelicans’ disappointing loss to the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semi-final in December. NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, along with countless fans on social media, aimed for Zion’s weight and conditioning. However, it seems the criticism may have motivated him, as he noticeably slimmed down and improved his fitness as the season progressed.
In the 2024 season, Zion played in 70 games, averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, helping the Pelicans secure 49 wins and the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Zion had a standout performance in the first Play-In Game against the Lakers, scoring 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds before suffering a hamstring injury with just over three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, that injury kept him out for the rest of the Play-In Tournament and the Pelicans’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they were swept in four games.
The biggest question surrounding Zion remains his ability to stay healthy and consistently on the court. His conditioning is a crucial factor, and while offseason reports of players being in “the best shape of their lives” should be taken with a grain of salt, Zion’s current condition is promising. Playing at a lighter weight could reduce the risk of injury, but the real test will be whether he can maintain his health throughout the season.
Zion looks like he’s in the best shape of his life pic.twitter.com/itoH2tMuQ8
— Ingram Alerts (@IngramAlerts) August 17, 2024
For the Pelicans to take a significant step forward in a competitive Western Conference, a healthy Zion Williamson will be essential. With the team likely relying on him to play small-ball centre, especially given their lack of a top-tier centre addition this summer (despite Daniel Theis being a solid presence), Zion’s health and performance will be the key to their success.
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