Stephen A. Smith Raises Serious Concern Over Zion Williamson’s “Superstar” Status For A Perfectly Obvious Reason

Stephen A. Smith Raises Serious Concern Over Zion Williamson’s "Superstar" Status
Zion Williamson (Photo by Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

The New Orleans Pelicans had the worst start to the 2024-25 NBA season and are currently facing significant challenges as the season approaches its climax. A key factor in their struggles is star player Zion Williamson, who has been sidelined by injuries for much of the season.

The Pelicans recently faced the Los Angeles Clippers in an intense game at the Smoothie King Center. Williamson displayed his exceptional skills by recording a triple-double, which helped the Pelicans secure a victory with a final score of 127-120. However, Williamson’s impressive performance did not impress NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith. In a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith voiced serious concerns about Williamson’s status as a “superstar.”

“Even though you’re a superstar caliber talent, you’re not a superstar because you’re almost never available. … For all of his troubles, Ja Morant, you can rely on him. And that hasn’t been the case for Zion,” Smith said.

Smith emphasized that while Williamson has an extraordinary talent that many would consider superstar-level, he is reluctant to label him a superstar at this point. This hesitance is due to Williamson’s struggles with injuries, which have often sidelined him and limited his ability to be a consistent presence on the court to help his team succeed.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Snarky Comment On Zion Williamson’s Big Night Against The Clippers

Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson (Photo by Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

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Zion Williamson suffered a left hamstring strain early in the season, which caused him to miss 27 games. He made his return from injury on January 8, 2025, scoring 22 points in just under 28 minutes during a 104–97 loss to the Timberwolves. Just a couple of days later, on January 10, the team decided to suspend him for one game because he was late to a team flight.

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In a recent game against the Clippers, he notched up 22 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Additionally, he has scored at least 20 points in each of his last six games. However, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal has still criticized him.

“You giving him props for that? I need more. Anybody can get 20 points now. That’s not good enough. I’m not impressed by that,” O’Neal said in the recent episode of The Postgame Show.

The Pelicans are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference, with a record of 18 wins and 48 losses. They will play their next game against the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center.

Also Read: “How Deep That Thang Go”: Everyone Is Destroying Zion Williamson After He Showed Off His New Belly Button Tattoo (PIC)