Zack Lowe has posited that the Pelicans are de-emphasizing his on-ball role/usage in preparation to trade him this offseason, which has also kept him fresher/injury-free.

I mean he’s been noticeably leaner since the start of the season

His contract isn’t guaranteed, I don’t know the specifics but I bet that’s about 90% of the reason.

Zion is top 1 in terms of “what if _____ had lebrongenvity and work ethic”

He played 70 games 2 years ago

I used to eat like Zion. He is fat on purpose. When I see Zion eat as he is now it reminds me of how I used to eat and it is frustrating and pisses me off that the NBA allows it. Not proud of it, I was known as Joey chestnut at my local Golden Corral and went through a phase when I ate triple servings of everything. Big rack of ribs turns to my blindside, didn’t care who was there. Charge right into the dessert. Smash into the best steak on D while going for the mashed potato’s, come what may. Limited cardio moves. So make no mistake about it. Zion knows what he’s doing. He knows people will be disgusted. He knows his appetite is unlimited and this is how he can win. He knows people will go away when he starts eating, think twice on their diet, etc. He will only be stopped by a healthy meal like carrots, lettuce, broccoli, etc. Or by an obviously more balanced carb with equal Type A like wheat bread. He didn’t intend to be obese, but he certainly intends to show you that he doesn’t care if you get disgusted when his fat belly shakes over you. At least that’s how I used to eat. But that was lunchtime. Eventually I got to dinner, ate w bigger servings, ate real fatty foods w hostess. There’s no doubt in my mind Zion eats more than some villages.

Money is the answer. As soon as he gets his bag, he will sit back down. Such a let down. He was expected to be the face of the league. It goes to show you how hard it is to be a generational player. Don’t get LBJ for granted. The dude is a 40 year old billionaire and still plays harder than these pussies.

Holy shit some of the replies on this are hilarious 😂

Since last year he has been dedicated to taking his strength and conditioning more seriously. He’s spoken about it a number of times and his trainer has stated that he is 12% body fat using a dexa scan.

They have decreased his usage which likely has helped him stay healthy. They also wanted to change the offense and move away from a heliocentric Zion offense. All of these things have likely contributed to him being healthy this season.

Ozempic

A sixers fan asking that is super funny given their love for Joel embiids lazy ass

It’s crazy how much slimmer he got compare to last season

Moriah Mills stopped trolling him, for time being.

I actually think Dumars has a lot to do with it. If a FMVP can’t help you stay on the court, who can?

contract coming up?

I’d guess it has to do with his contract and games played terms.

Not having their pick helps too

Dad strength

This idiotic notion of sports fans but basketball fans in general that injuries are like result of a personal failure by the guy who got hurt is so ridiculous

Never seen a team this bad insist on keeping their core together lol. The funniest thing is they have players that carry value, they aren’t like the kings.

There’s one shooter on the team and rookies are getting the ball a lot. Lakers would kill to get Trey and Herb next to Luka, they’re much better pieces for him than what’s there right now.

It’s weird cause they have talent on that team but just can’t figure it out.

People really thought the Pelicans won the AD trade in 2019.

They have the worst guard and center rotation in the league

That’s because Zion barely has spacing, Him and Murphy can be those dudes but everyone else is just meh, When’s the last time Zion has played with a floor spacing 5? Or a legit PG

I mean Trey is easily their best player and is very good. He’d slot in very well with any contending team. Pels just have no decent guards or centers

Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen

On paper they should be solid but oddly just can’t figure it out

I hope it continues but the time to give up on Zion was 2 years ago. He simply doesn’t care enough to mind his body and stay healthy, he’ll hang around the league for a few more years and be on a “What If” article in 5

Maybe, in the modern NBA that’s not too bad lol

We all know it’s not gonna last long

Is he actually worried about being waived though? I’m pretty sure every single team in the league would be willing to take a flier on him

22 6 and 4 is mid? Ight

2022 Pels who were the 1 seed

I thought i was the only one who remembers this.

Pelican’s aren’t tanking their bad

Yet the league is at its peak of injuries for big names the season he is healthy lmao

I mean they definitely are not doing everything they can do to win. If they were Zion would have the ball a lot more

…yea i don’t blame him for not taking that deal

How can you be generational and not play more than 26 games in a row 6 years into your career?

It’s not like we have anything to tank for