Rattled by New Partner?s Charles Barkley Disrespect, ESPN?s Favorite Stephen A. Smith Forces Harsh Reality on Zion Williamson

While Victor Wembanyama gets an insane amount of hype today, he isn’t the first draftee to have high expectations. In fact, the tradition of placing unreal expectations on a player entering the NBA is as old as the league itself. Prior to Wemby, the last player to receive an insane amount of hype was Zion Williamson. A man deemed ready-made for the NBA has instead not had the smoothest adjustment to the league. As a result, two names from the NBA community, who are soon to start a new partnership, sat down to discuss Zion’s ailments, dragging Charles Barkley into the conversation.

Whether it was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 60s, Magic and Bird in the 70s, or LeBron James in 2003, the tradition resurfaces every few years and it wasn’t any different for Zion.

Zion Williamson – A new age Charles Barkley?

Anytime he steps foot on the court, it is something to marvel at. But therein lies the main problem. Anytime he does step foot on the court. During his 4-year-run so far, Zion has played in 114 games out of a possible 318. That number doesn’t include the New Orleans Pelicans’ lone playoff appearance in that timeframe.

The constant injuries and lengthy absences have raised many questions about him. Shannon Sharpe, on his podcast Club Shay Shay,?was in conversation with Stephen A. Smith. The same Stephen A. that Sharpe is going to be joining on First Take.?

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On the Zion matter, Sharpe said, “He’s just too big…The man is 300-plus. I can tell he’s not eating the way he should be in order to maximize…I think the greatest person that he needs to sit down and have an hour-long conversation with is Charles Barkley. He’s a more athletic Charles Barkley.”?A despondent Smith could offer up just one line, clearly not in agreement with Shannon’s take. “I just gotta be honest. I don’t think he cares enough. “

“I’m not talking about caring, I’m talking about that fire, the passion that is end all be all.”?With Barkley’s comments over the summer, it doesn’t take much to figure out which side the Philadelphia 76ers legend is on.

Chuckster has had enough of Zion

While Stephen A. questioned Zion’s mentality, Chuck was more direct in his approach. Appearing on SportsCenter, Charles laid onto Zion. “This is professional basketball? I don?t think it?s a lot to tell guys to get in shape.?

He further reiterated his stance. “This is professional basketball. We’re not babysitters…It’s not fair to the Pelicans. It?s not fair to the NBA. His solution was straightforward ? he just got to get in shape, plain and simple.”

As the Zion drama continues to unfold, the 6’6 superstar will look to be a constant presence for a hungry New Orleans team. Otherwise, those trade rumors could materialize into something.

Read More: ?It?s Not Fair to the Pelicans? Not Fair to the NBA?: Days After Zion Williamson?s Weight Loss Admission, Charles Barkley Gets Brutally Honest With 284LB All-Star

Meanwhile, if the episode of Club Shay Shay is anything to go by, the duo of Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith is going to be must-see TV every time. What the boisterous duo get up to on FirstTake?should be a riot.