Zion Williamson’s NBA career has been a rollercoaster of dominance and disappointment, but Stephen A. Smith is tired of the excuses.
The New Orleans Pelicans officially shut Williamson down for the rest of the season on Monday due to a lingering back contusion, and the ESPN personality didn’t hold back. On Tuesday’s First Take, Smith dropped the dreaded ‘B-word’ when discussing the former No. 1 pick—calling him a “bust” not for his skills, but for his brutal lack of availability.
Another Season, Another Zion Williamson Setback
Pelicans fans have seen this movie before. Williamson, a generational talent when he’s on the floor, will finish his sixth season in the league having played just 30 games. That’s four times in six years where he’s failed to crack even 31 appearances.
His latest injury, a back contusion suffered on March 19 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, was the final straw for New Orleans this season.
Smith, never one to mince words, made it clear he wasn’t questioning Williamson’s talent—just his reliability.
“Zion Williamson is a star-caliber talent. When he’s on the court and healthy, he’s a monster. The problem is he’s rarely available,” Smith said. “And as great as he is, the word ‘bust’ comes to mind. Not because of his talent, I’m only talking his availability. If you’re not available, it doesn’t matter how great you are. And he’s almost never available.”
The numbers back it up. Williamson has suited up for just 214 games since being drafted in 2019, appearing in a shocking 45.3% of the Pelicans’ total matchups. He’s played more than 60 games in only two of his six seasons, with injuries cutting his career momentum short time and time again.
What’s Next for New Orleans And Zion Williamson?
At this point, it’s fair to wonder where the Pelicans go from here. They built their entire future around Williamson, but how much longer can they keep relying on a player who simply can’t stay on the court?
Smith suggested that moving Williamson in a trade could be a challenge. “His availability is what’s going to come into question,” he said, emphasizing that while teams recognize his ability, they also see the glaring durability concerns.
When Williamson has played, he’s been nothing short of dominant. This season, in just 30 appearances, he put up 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. That’s superstar production—just without the sustainability.
The Pelicans have a decision to make. Do they keep waiting and hoping Williamson’s body finally holds up, or do they explore the difficult possibility of moving on? Either way, Smith’s message was clear: availability is everything, and right now, Williamson is dangerously close to bust territory.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
