Recently, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have been the main critics of Zion Williamson’s weight and level of fitness. Zion has responded.

Zion scored just 13 points and had a box score of -33 in the Pelicans’ lopsided loss to the Lakers, which resulted in their elimination from the In-Season Tournament.

Four nights later, Zion answered, leading NOLA to a 14-point victory over the top-seeded Timberwolves with a season-high 36 points on 13 of 17 shooting.

The media specifically questioned him about Shaq and Barkley’s remarks and whether or not he considered them to be a “legitimate critique.”

Williamson responded, “Thank you, if it comes from a great place and a place where they just want to see me do better.” “However, everyone has the right to their own opinion if it originates from somewhere else. You have no power over that.

Next, a question about anything Zion had heard about himself that he felt went too far was posed.

“In the end, I have no control over the actions that a grown man takes,” Williamson remarked. “What no fully grown adult does, I cannot control. All I can do is try to win by controlling the things under my control and focusing on myself, my teammates, coaches, and everyone else associated with the Pelicans and the city.

The most recent celebrity to join the Zion weight-shaming trend is Stephen A. Smith, which seems like a good example of going too far.

It is deplorable. In New Orleans, I have chefs. Smith stated, “I’m not exaggerating,” during the First Take segment on Monday. “I’m quoting people, not making this up. New Orleans chefs are enamored with him. They’re trying to find him. Since they know he will visit their restaurant, every chef there is eager to meet him. Zion Williamson is rumored to be willing to eat at the table.