Zion Williamson’s repeated struggles with injuries have raised serious concerns among fans and analysts. His latest setback—a hamstring strain—has left the New Orleans Pelicans star sidelined indefinitely, sparking discussions about whether Williamson is taking the right steps to secure his long-term health and potential. With a history of various injuries affecting his ankle, knee, and now hamstring, many are urging Williamson to adopt a new approach to maintain his availability and maximize his performance on the court.

Among those advocating for a change is rapper and sports enthusiast Cam’Ron Giles, who voiced his frustration with Williamson’s frequent absences. Giles believes that Williamson’s physical gifts are undeniable; at 6’6″ and with two All-Star selections, he has become a powerhouse on the court, making him an invaluable asset for the Pelicans. Yet, Giles argues that Williamson needs to take his body more “seriously” to make a lasting impact in the NBA.

“I’m not going to keep weighing on Zion’s availability every year. I can’t do it, I’m not going to be emotionally invested in it because every year we’re like ‘next year Zion will look crazy’,” he shared on the YoutTube show, It Is What It Is. Giles’ disappointment is rather visible, with fans eagerly anticipating his return year after year, only to face yet another setback.

Giles further adds, “You get excited and then this s*** happens. And definitely, it’s diabolical. He ain’t say two to three weeks, ain’t say one or two months. And definitely, that means we don’t. We can’t give you an answer on when he’s coming back.”

Williamson’s injury situation has undeniably frustrated fans and analysts alike. The Pelicans rely heavily on his unique skill set, and when healthy, Williamson’s impact on the court is clear. His physicality and presence make him a force against opponents, and his ability to take the ball to the rim with power is invaluable for his team. However, frequent injuries have limited his playing time and put his potential achievements in question. Many believe that if Williamson continues to miss significant portions of each season, he may struggle to reach the level of success expected from a player of his caliber.

For Williamson, the path forward may lie in adopting a preventive approach to his physical health, much like Stephen Curry did. Incorporating specific conditioning, injury-prevention exercises, and disciplined off-court routines could allow him to maintain his performance while minimizing his injury risks. As he continues to mature in the league, taking these proactive steps could not only prolong his career but also solidify his reputation as one of the game’s most dominant players.

Zion Williamson could cite inspiration from Steph Curry’s injury-free evolution

For Giles and many others, Williamson’s struggle to stay healthy mirrors the early career challenges of NBA stars like Grant Hill and Stephen Curry. Both players dealt with recurrent injuries but managed to turn their careers around by investing in their bodies and altering their training regimens. Curry’s journey, in particular, stands out as a model for Williamson.

In Curry’s first few years with the Golden State Warriors, he battled persistent ankle issues, which led to surgeries and a customized training approach. Since then, Curry has enjoyed a relatively injury-free career and has gone on to become one of the league’s all-time greats and the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history. Giles believes that Williamson could benefit from following Curry’s lead in prioritizing health as a foundation for sustained excellence.

“If you have people like let’s say, for instance, Steph Curry. He had a lot of ankle problems in his first few years. In his first two to three years, he had a lot of ankle problems and may have been hurt three times in the last 10-11 years,” said Giles.

Steph’s longest time away from the court has to be in his third season. In his rookie years, the 10x NBA All-Star suffered numerous injuries to the point where he had to undergo surgeries to stabilize both ankles. Therefore, he took the necessary measures to stay in the league without worrying about dropping stats. So, what Cam implies here is that the 24-year-old Williamson should think about taking such measures for himself because he has the potential to dominate the NBA. A talent of his caliber shouldn’t go to waste because of health mishaps.

Golden State Warriors superstar’s commitment to his physical upkeep has paid dividends, and Giles thinks that a similar shift in focus could yield wonderful benefits for Williamson, enabling him to dominate the league without recurring injuries holding him back.