Stephen A. Smith accuses Zion Williamson of being a ‘food addict’ and derailing NBA career

Stephen A. Smith calls Zion Williamson a ‘food addict’ during criticism

Stephen A. Smith addressed Zion Williamson’s career during an episode of First Take while discussing the former No. 1 overall pick’s injury history and conditioning concerns.

The analyst claimed he had heard criticism about Williamson’s habits from people connected to the player.

“You got people that are alcoholics, you got people that are drug addicts, and stuff like that. What was Zion’s problem? Food! Food addict!”

“People who called up and encouraged us to get in his a– because of some of the things that he was doing.”

Williamson has battled multiple injuries since entering the NBA, and his conditioning has been a topic of conversation throughout his career.

LeBron James tells Zion Williamson to ignore criticism

After the Lakers beat the Pelicans on February 9, cameras caught LeBron James having a word with Williamson at center court.

LeBron James was caught on camera telling Williamson to pay no attention to the noise, adding another layer to the growing conversation around Zion’s future. James appeared to be encouraging the Pelicans star to block out the criticism surrounding him.

“F— all that b—- about Stephen A.”

The clip quickly circulated across social media, adding fuel to an already heated debate about Williamson’s career trajectory.

With the Pelicans still fighting for playoff positioning, the spotlight on Williamson remains intense as discussions continue about whether he can fulfil the expectations that followed him into the league.