Zion Williamson turned heads at the New Orleans Pelicans’ media day this week, showing off the results of an intense summer conditioning program that left him in the best shape he’s been in since his high school and college days. “I really felt a shift in my body,” Zion told reporters. “I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk into a gym, and I feel good.” The 6-foot-6 star spent the offseason working closely with Pelicans director of performance Daniel Bove, incorporating boxing and football field drills to stabilize his weight and improve his athleticism. But not everyone is buying the story without skepticism.

Former NBA guard and podcast host Jeff Teague was quick to call out Williamson, saying, “This is probably the dumbest press conference I’ve ever heard in my life. All this stuff is because of you. You choose to eat, be out of shape, all of that. Now, all of a sudden, it’s a contract year, probably, or he’s looking for an extension. All of a sudden, he’s in shape, and they believe in him. Fool, they gave you a max deal. They’ve been believed in you. But they had to put all those options on there because you didn’t believe in you.”

The comment reminds fans that Zion’s weight struggles and injuries have long been part of his narrative, but this summer may have marked a turning point. And that also carries financial stakes. Williamson is in the third year of a five-year, $197.3 million contract extension with the Pelicans, which includes strict stipulations: he must stay under a 295-pound weight limit and maintain monitored body fat. Performance bonuses, including an All-NBA selection, could boost his earnings to as much as $231 million over the life of the deal. With that kind of money on the line, it’s clear why staying in shape and consistent matters more than ever, both for Zion and the Pelicans.

Zion’s commitment to his body has been evident in his daily routine and offseason approach. He credits Bove for holding him accountable, while also mentioning Pelicans executive Joe Dumars, who he says will keep him on track and hand him responsibility in return. “He’s going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for,” Williamson explained.

Beyond conditioning, Zion also worked with former WNBA star and coach Teresa Weatherspoon, sharpening not just his physical readiness but his basketball IQ and leadership as he enters his seventh season in the NBA. Pelicans coach Willie Green praised Zion’s dedication, noting that when Williamson shows up ready, he’s “one of the best players in the NBA,” capable of being present and accountable for his teammates.

Fans, however, didn’t take kindly to Jeff Teague’s recent criticism, flooding social media with support for Zion and blasting the former player for his remarks.

Fans push back, defending Zion Williamson against Jeff Teague’s criticism

One fan perfectly captured the frustration, writing, “Apparently we gotta hear everything that comes out of Jeff Teague and Patrick Beverley’s mouth and take it as gold.” Teague is known for speaking his mind without filters, but getting lumped in with Patrick Beverley is a new twist. The comparison ties into Beverley’s ongoing feud with Trae Young, which centers on a debate over accomplishments—who’s truly earned more and done more on the court. The whole spat started when Beverley called out All-Stars for supposedly taking the game for granted, prompting Young to fire back about their respective playoff histories.

One fan put it bluntly: “Jeff Teague use to be entertaining with the stories …now he just talk just to talk….n— act like it don’t take MOST young players a few seasons to finally lock in ….young players without weight problems take a while to lock in.“ And they have a point—Zion Williamson’s journey proves it. Since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he’s battled injuries, often missing more games than he’s played, yet when on the court, he’s shown his brilliance. Last season, in just a handful of games, he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and set career highs with 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. His earlier struggles weren’t about talent—they were about adjusting to the NBA’s physical demands.

One fan defended Zion bluntly: “He was a kid wtf,” and it’s hard to argue. Drafted in 2019 at just 19, he was fresh out of Duke, coming off a college career where he dominated, averaging 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on an insane 68% shooting from the field and 70.8% eFG. His PER was a staggering 40.8, and he racked up 8.3 win shares in just 33 games—numbers that screamed future superstar. Now, fully back in shape after a focused offseason, fans are excited to see if Zion can recapture that same dominance in the NBA.

One fan circled back to Teague’s own early-career struggles, saying, “Didn’t Teague say a vet had to fine him multiple times for him to start taking it serious? Man’s was in the club every night lol.” And honestly, the stats back it up. Teague, drafted in 2009, took a few seasons to find his footing: in his first two seasons, he averaged under 6 points per game, played limited minutes, and started only a handful of games. Even by his third season, his numbers were still modest—12.6 points, 4.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds per game—but showed gradual improvement. Teague also racked up 11 technical fouls across his career, reflecting the fiery and sometimes unfocused energy he brought on the court early on.

One fan joked sarcastically, “Wow I’m sure Zion is sad now that ‘Jeff Teague’ is no longer a fan of him…” but Zion is clearly focused and ready for the season. Marc J. Spears highlighted on ESPN that “He’s showing a lot more leadership… when Zion plays, he’s one of the best players in the league.”

The Pelicans value him not just as a scorer or athlete, but as a guiding presence who lifts his teammates. Fully healthy, Zion’s scoring, athleticism, and underrated passing could transform New Orleans’ season. With additions like Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney, the Pelicans are poised to compete in the Western Conference.