Shannon Sharpe: The media cares more about Zion Williamson’s career than he does

Now in the middle of its sixth season, Zion Williamson’s NBA career has had its fair share of ups and downs.

And late last week, the New Orleans Pelicans forward experienced his latest valley, with the franchise suspending him for one game after he reportedly showed up late for a team flight.

At his best, Williamson has looked like one the best players in the league and one of the young American-born stars many have argued the NBA desperately needs as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant exit their primes. The former Duke standout’s professional career, however, has been hampered by injuries and questions regarding his commitment — a notion only furthered by last week’s suspension.

On Monday’s episode of First Take, Shannon Sharpe addressed Williamson’s one-game suspension and the current state of the 24-year-old’s NBA career. And in doing so, the Hall of Fame tight end didn’t hold back, arguing that media members like himself care more about the former No. 1 overall pick’s career than he does.

“The problem is guys like Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaq and other guys care more about Zion’s career than Zion cares about it,” Sharpe said. “As I used to tell my kids all the time, I can’t want something for you more than you want it for yourself. Until Zion wants this for himself, we’re gonna have this conversation again. This is not the last time we’re gonna talk about Zion.

“We’re gonna have this conversation until Zion decides to say, ‘Enough of this. I’m in New Orleans right now for the foreseeable future. Let me take care of what I need to take care of and play my butt off.’ But that’s not going to be the case unfortunately.”

Smith, meanwhile, countered that his co-host was giving him too much credit.

“Give it a few months and I’ll tell you to speak for yourself. Don’t speak for me, because I’m not going to give a damn about him. I mean, this is ridiculous,” Smith replied before breaking down Williamson’s availability — or lack thereof — throughout his career.

Shannon Sharpe on Zion Williamson: “The problem is guys like Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaq and other guys care more about Zion’s career than Zion cares about it… until Zion wants this for himself, we’re gonna have this conversation again.” pic.twitter.com/F7SaWzwWXG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 13, 2025

While one could certainly argue that this is the type of negative coverage that’s become pervasive in the NBA in recent years — especially considering that the Pelicans lay claim to the Western Conference’s worst record at 8-32 and are hardly a team worthy of national coverage — that also doesn’t necessarily invalidate Sharpe and Smith’s arguments.

Once considered one of the next faces of the NBA, Williamson appears to be at a crossroads in his career. And whether it’s fair or not for pundits like Smith and Sharpe to question how much he cares, they also can’t be blamed for being skeptical that he’ll ever fulfill the very same potential that’s made him a topic on shows like First Take throughout his career.