Stephen A. Smith Calls Zion Williamson a 'Food Addict', Suggests Pelicans 'Encouraged' Criticism

ESPN personality's comments spark social media spat with New Orleans Pelicans

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed the New Orleans Pelicans encouraged criticism of Zion Williamson's weight and work ethic, sparking a social media feud after Smith's remarks on 'First Take.' Smith went as far as to suggest Williamson is a 'food addict,' with the Pelicans' social media team trolling Smith in response.

Why it matters

Williamson's struggles with weight and injuries have been a major storyline in his NBA career, with the Pelicans organization and media figures like Smith playing a role in the public discourse around the young star. This latest incident highlights the tensions between players, teams, and the media when it comes to sensitive personal issues.

The details

In a recent interview, Williamson said the lowest point of his career was missing his third season due to a broken foot and being criticized for his 'weight' and 'care for the game.' Smith has ripped Williamson on these issues in the past, and he did so again on Tuesday's 'First Take,' going as far as to suggest the Pelicans 'encouraged' him to attack Williamson. The Pelicans' social media team responded by trolling Smith's own athletic abilities.

  • Nearly three years ago, Williamson admitted to dieting struggles.
  • In a recent interview, Williamson said the lowest point of his career was missing his third season.

The players

Zion Williamson

An NBA star who has struggled with weight and injury issues during his career with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Stephen A. Smith

An ESPN personality who has been critical of Williamson's weight and work ethic, and claims the Pelicans organization encouraged him to attack the player.

New Orleans Pelicans

The NBA team that Williamson plays for, and whose social media team trolled Smith in response to his comments.

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What they’re saying

“The information that emanated about Zion Williamson, it came from inside the organization. It came from people even closer than that to Zion Williamson, I'm gonna leave it at that. People that called up and encouraged us to get in his a-- because of some of the things that he was doing. You got people that are alcoholics, you got people that are drug addicts and stuff like that. What was Zion's problem? Food! Food addict!”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Personality (First Take)

“Stick to solitaire Stephen”

— New Orleans Pelicans (Twitter)

“Pulling out stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago, ???? No problem. See y'all tomorrow on First Take. Remember one thing: YOU ASKED FOR THiS!!!!”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Personality (Twitter)

What’s next

The Pelicans and Smith are likely to continue their social media feud, with the team likely to further troll the ESPN personality over his past athletic shortcomings.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complex relationship between NBA players, teams, and the media when it comes to sensitive personal issues like weight and work ethic. It also shows how social media has become a battleground for these types of disputes, with both sides using it to score points against the other.