After the New Orleans Pelicans’ 110-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers star forward LeBron James was caught on camera giving Pelicans forward Zion Williamson some uncensored advice.
“Don’t mind all the bulls—-,” James said to Williamson.
While making eye contact, Williamson nodded his head and hugged James.
James’ advice came the same day ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith called Williamson “a food addict” on “First Take.”
“You’ve got people who are alcoholics,” Smith said. “You’ve got people who are drug addicts, and stuff like that. What was Zion’s problem? Food! [He's] a food addict. The problem was that everybody in New Orleans who cooked, everyone from a restaurant to a chef to ya grandmama. OK? Everyone who cooked knew Zion, and he knew them, and they were on a first-name basis.
“That brother ate a lot.”
Smith also said someone told him Williamson was once caught hiding food under his bed.
I haven’t laughed this hard in a while pic.twitter.com/5BjrO01Cyw
— “YEA, I’M LIVE” (@yeaimlive504) March 3, 2026
On Feb. 4, Williamson’s trainer, Kris Chrisp, announced Williamson weighed 268 pounds at 12.8% body fat. On Feb. 23, ESPN’s Michael C. Wright reported that Williamson weighed 264 pounds, the lightest he’s been since he got drafted in 2019.
On Tuesday, the Pelicans star led the team with 24 points, 4 rebounds and a steal after missing the prior game against the Los Angeles Clippers with an ankle injury.
“Zion sprained his ankle less than 72 hours ago,” Chrisp posted after the game. “Tonight, he looked explosive and led the team with 24 points. The recovery, intensive treatment and discipline are all part of the process. Losing hurts, but his response speaks volumes.”
The two-time All-Star forward has played in 36 of the Pelicans’ last 37 games. His streak of playing in 35 straight games is the longest of Williamson’s seven-year career.