Victim of Shaquille O’Neal’s Stinging Ways, Ex-Pelicans Star Jumps to Zion Williamson’s Rescue

The New Orleans Pelicans’ unfathomable failure against the Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament has raised some serious questions about the team’s superstars. Somehow, all the criticism is directed towards the young sensation Zion Williamson, who continues to get thrown under the bus. From Stephen A. Smith to Shaquille O’Neal, Williamson has been slammed mercilessly. But he has found support now. Before Zion, there was DeMarcus Cousins, who faced similar criticism in 2019. 

Boogie knows best about the episode that Williamson is facing right now, and thus he decided to show a way out for the youngster. Sharing some personal experiences from his time with the Pelicans franchise, Cousins has plotted a map that Williamson can make use of. 

DeMarcus Cousins shows Zion Williamson the bright side

A 44-point loss is not a good sign for any franchise, let alone in the Semis of the IST. A lot of factors were identified, but Williamson’s body conditioning was the biggest problem of all for the Pelicans and the ‘NBA on TNT‘ crew as well. 

However, Cousins did not want to criticize, but help Williamson with some valuable advice. On his podcast episode with Rachel Nichols and Rajon Rondo, he revealed that leadership was a primary concern in the locker room.

Admitting to once being in the same position as Zion and with analysts like Shaq on his back, he advised, “Taking care of your body, eating the correct way, getting, you know, getting the correct rest, watching film…being the first guy in, last guy out, putting up extra shots… all these small things build you to that next level.”

Cousins believes, “Zion is getting by with talent right now”. However, at the same time, the 4-time All-Star is confident that Williamson is a superstar material. 

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Shaquille O’Neal after the Pelicans’ loss had shared, “He doesn’t create easy points for himself. He doesn’t see. He doesn’t demand the ball…He doesn’t have that ‘look’. Like, ‘I’m the greatest ever.’ I know a look when I see it… and he doesn’t rebound.” However, Zion’s not the first star to face the brunt of O’Neal’s criticism.

DeMarcus Cousins’ unpleasant history with Shaquille O’Neal

Cousins was arguably the best center in the league for quite a few seasons during his time with the Sacramento Kings from 2010 to 2017. His last four years with the Kings were some of his prime years. However, it didn’t result in team success, and Shaq, who had bought a minority stake in the franchise in 2013, wasn’t pleased with it.

During a conversation with his TNT buddy Kenny Smith some time ago, he pinpointed Cousins’s inability, saying, “DeMarcus Cousins was there and we never made the playoffs, so like you said Kenny, I kind of agree with you, we need some young talent.” Shaq and Cousins went back and forth, but it came to an end after a point. 

Read more: Zion Williamson Reflects on Disastrous Outing That Cost Pelicans a Shot at In-Season Tournament Crown

Years later, Shaq has now made a similar criticism of Zion Williamson. Will it push Zion to become the beast that everyone expected him to be? Only time will tell.