| If you've paid attention closely enough, the warning signs about Zion Williamson's conditioning were flashing before he ever played a game in a Pelicans uniform. Way back in the summer of 2019, Coach K, someone whom Zion is close with, said he didn't believe the high-flying Duke forward should've played at all in NBA Summer League. "I don't think he's in the playing shape or the mental shape to play," Krzyzewski told Forbes. Williamson has not been in good shape for virtually the entirety of his Pelicans tenure. When he's played, he has been spectacular. People are quick to forget that he had one of the most efficient high-volume scoring seasons of any age-20 player in NBA history last season. The problem is Williamson has been out almost as much as he's been available. He's appeared in 85 games and missed 68. There is a chance he'll have sat out more NBA games than he's played in by the time he returns from a right foot fracture. There is no fixed timeline on Williamson's return as of now. He will receive periodic checkups on the foot every two to three weeks. Without him, the Pelicans' present looks bleak. At 1-8, they have the NBA's worst record. Given that the front office lucked into the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 and had the Anthony Davis trade chip, it seems incomprehensible that New Orleans could be in this position in Year 3. David Griffin and his crew deserve a lot of blame. The 2020 offseason was a spectacular disaster, so bad the Pelicans had to move off the two players they got back in the Jrue Holiday trade and fire Griffin's hand-picked head coach after eight months. But Williamson deserves his share of the blame, too, which he's now receiving. Tuesday, he got crushed for being overweight by Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, two NBA Hall of Famers. Once Williamson's right foot heals, it's going to be fascinating to see how he reacts. By most accounts, he is someone who genuinely loves playing basketball and competing when the lights are on. He is not generally regarded as someone who enjoys doing the necessary work to take care of his body when the games aren't being played. To get where he wants to go, it's becoming clear he must become more diligent about his diet and conditioning. His response to this adversity could determine how long the star of a once-in-a-generation player burns. Thanks for reading. You can support our coverage by clicking here. -- Christian | 
