As the 2019 premier show, Zion has played only 85 games in three seasons since entering the league, and in addition to poor attendance, his professional attitude has caused more controversy. Earlier, his soaring weight attracted attention, with criticism that as a professional player, he could not control his diet and body shape, while two days ago, an argument by former teammate Redick pushed the criticism to a climax.
Redick was making a guest appearance on a TV show about his former teammate, who pointed out that the other side was special, arrogant, indifferent, and did not have any emotional investment in the city and the community... Redick's criticism of Zion stemmed from an earlier report in which McCollum, who had recently traded to join the team, said he had been in communication with other teammates since joining the team, but had been unable to contact Zion.
After Redick's remarks, the voices of doubt and criticism poured down like raindrops and fell on the young leader's head. Former NBA player Matt Barnes said he didn't want to stay with the Pelicans at all; NFL star Spears angrily criticized him for being a little more professional and not acting like a baby; Pelicans reporter Christian Clark said there was a rift in the relationship between Zion and the team's management Griffin; even the team's marketing department stepped in and erased his name in the latest email to season ticket holders...
However, it is worth mentioning that in addition to the many criticisms, there are also people who support the young genius, such as the pelicans' former head coach Stan Van Gundy. The latter defended his former disciple in a recent media interview.
"Zion of course sometimes leaves the team, but when he plays, he's with his teammates and he's more used to being alone when he's recuperating, offseason, resting. I don't think he doesn't want to play, he's just used to being alone, he's always ready, it's important that the team needs him, when he's able to play, he'll be back on the team very quickly and quickly integrate into the team. Van Gundy said.
The veteran coach was also puzzled by Redick's remarks: "Seriously, I'm surprised that JJ (Redick) would say that, in my opinion, when he played for the Pelicans, he had a very close relationship with Zion. ”
What is Zion's professional attitude? It's hard to draw conclusions, but during his time with the Pelicans, Redick and Zion had a good personal relationship, and according to previous reports, Zion expressed his displeasure when the team traded Redick to send him to Dallas last year.
Then again, Zion himself does not have to be bothered by the gossip of the outside world, basketball is a sport that speaks according to strength, the dish is the original sin, as long as he still plays an excellent performance after recovering from injury, then those doubts and rumors that have been there will naturally be self-defeating.