Pelicans brutally roast Stephen A. Smith with ‘highlights’ after Zion Williamson criticisms
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Stephen A Smith — again — went at Zion Williamson on Friday, and this time, the Pelicans didn’t sit by quietly.
The famed ESPN personality criticized the New Orleans star on the last “Get Up” of the work week while talking to host Mike Greenberg, citing Williamson’s weight, which he has done on multiple occasions since the former NBA All-Star entered the league in 2019.
The Duke product finished with 27 points and nine assists in a Thursday win over the Rockets, but Smith said Williamson is still out of shape.
“Zion Williamson, it’s not about his game,” Smith said of the two-time NBA All-Star and 2019 No. 1 overall pick. “It’s about how many burgers he’s eating. Whether or not he is going to be in shape or keep eating McDonald’s and have chefs clamoring for him to come to their restaurants.
“That’s what he has to prove, that the chefs don’t love him any longer,” Smith added. “That he’s committed to playing basketball and being in shape.”
That’s when the Pelicans came to Williamson’s defense on social media on Friday, posting Smith’s college averages at Winston-Salem State on X.
Smith immediately replied, saying that a knee injury derailed his career.
“Can’t score when you can’t play due to a devastating knee injury,” Smith said on X. “That’s my fact. Now……what’s y’all excuse for never winning anything??? Can’t wait to see y’all in April. May and June? We won’t even go there! Good Luck!”
The Pelicans countered by posting a video montage of what they referred to as “Stephen A. Smith highlights,” which was really a compilation of lowlights — including poor basketball shots and a terrible first pitch at Yankee Stadium — intended to poke fun at the pundit.
![Stephen A. Smith attends the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-2016338125.jpg?w=683)
The clips were played over the infamous audio in which Smith called Kwame Brown “a bonafide scrub.”
Smith replied with consecutive posts.
“I could zero in but I won’t!” he assured. “I happen to be fans of several players, plus the coach and definitely that city. You play. I’ll be watching. I’m not going anywhere! Good luck!”
![Zion Williamson is averaging 22.5 points this season, his lowest since his rookie campaign.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-2033415491.jpg?w=1024)
He continued, “Oh, by the way……I think y’all already know y’all can’t TALK nearly as much as me. So…..be my guest! I’ve got 24/7…….365 days a year!”
This season, Williamson has averaged 22.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while converting 58.5 percent of his shots from the field heading into Friday night’s matchup with the Heat.
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