It’s the job of Skip Bayless to generate controversy for Fox Sports, and the long-time contrarian stirred up strong feelings in the New Orleans Pelicans’ locker room on Wednesday.
Bayless posted a tweet saying that he believed the Pelican’s can’t be happy with star forward Zion Williamson, who said Tuesday that he’s healthy, but not yet mentally ready to return to action.
Bayless sent out the tweet Wednesday morning, “Pelicans executives and players are NOT HAPPY with Zion, who has been cleared to play by team doctors. Now on @undisputed.”
Pelicans executives and players are NOT HAPPY with Zion, who has been cleared to play by team doctors. Now on @undisputed
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 12, 2023
By Wednesday afternoon, Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. felt the need to object to the comment.
“No one in our locker room is looking at Z any type of way,” Nance said in a tweet. “We’re with him every step of his rehab, and support his process, physically AND mentally!
“Don’t listen to people saying things just to get views!!”
No one in our locker room is looking at Z any type of way. We’re with him every step of his rehab, and support his process, physically AND mentally!Don’t listen to people saying things just to get views‼️ https://t.co/wJGjJvyzPR
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) April 12, 2023
Bayless said on his Fox Sports 1 show, “Undisputed,” that he’s been told there’s “some serious dissension” in the Pelicans’ locker room, and provided some details of conversations he’s had on the topic.
“Zion’s independent team of medical people say he’s only 99 percent and they don’t want to completely clear him until he’s 100 percent ready to go,” Bayless said. “Team management is increasingly at odds with Zion’s stepfather, who is sort of running the show for the Zion camp.
“The stepfather is increasingly unhappy with the team because it continues to excercise the clause in his contract that on a monthly basis they can weigh him.”
Bayless, who pointed out that C.J. McCollum and Nance have played through injuries, said the Pelicans players aren’t pleased with the current situation.
“Pelican players, I’ve been told, are not happy with Zion in particular because they’re fearing that he’s getting the wrong advice as a very young player, that it’s messing with his mind,” Bayless said. “They think he should just suck it up and stand up to both stepfather and his medical people, and just say, ‘No, I feel great. I’m going to play.”
.@RealSkipBayless breaks down the ongoing Zion Williamson-Pelicans injury situation: “The players are not happy with Zion because they’re fearing he’s getting the wrong advice as a young player.” pic.twitter.com/rN2Q1hE2p7
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 12, 2023
The Pelicans were set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in a elimination play-in tournament game.
Williamson has missed 45 consecutive games after suffering a hamstring injury on Jan. 2.
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