'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Zion Williamson has looked strong this season for the New Orleans Pelicans. One player that Williamson was compared to prior to being drafted was Charles Barkley.
The Hall of Famer, who is now an analyst for TNT, was one of the best power forwards of all time. One of the reasons they were compared to each other was that both men were very athletic, but their body weight was a concern for the teams that they played for.
Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks recently spoke to Zion in a recent post-game interview where he deflected from answering a question about his favorite Thanksgiving dish. Williamson appeared to look uncomfortable with the question as Barkley shared his view of the situation.
"I was disappointed for him giving the public that much power. Thanksgiving for eating, you don't have to worry about if people make fun of you that's on them but you never give other people power first and foremost." - Charles Barkley
Barkley makes the point that Thanksgiving is a holiday that is centered around food. Williamson doesn’t feel comfortable talking about it because of the social media backlash he may receive. There has been a discussion about his weight ever since he came into the NBA. Barkley can sympathize with this, as he was called things like “the round mound of rebound” during his time in the league.
Charles Barkley did offer some advice for Williamson on losing weight and reflecting on his career. Barkley stated that he had to lose weight earlier in his career and how he had lost weight. He also referenced Zion’s injuries and how recovery can be more difficult if he doesn’t get in shape.
Williamson has appeared in 17 of the Pelicans' 22 games this season. The team is 14-8 and in first place in the Southwest Division. Zion is the team’s leading scorer at 23.5ppg while adding 7.1rpg and 4.3apg. If he can remain healthy, the Pelicans could be contenders in the Western Conference.
Charles Barkley was a special player
Charles Barkley is an all-time great NBA player. Drafted in the legendary 1984 NBA Draft class, Barkley started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. By his third season, he was an All-Star and was averaging 23.0ppg and a career-high 14.6 rebounds per game. He was an 11-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection.
Barkley was a member of the 1992 US Olympic Basketball team, also known as the “Dream Team”. On that team full of legends, where he was the leading scorer during their run to a gold medal in the 92 games. He was the 1993 NBA MVP as he led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals. He finished his career with an average of 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
