A new offseason workout video of Zion Williamson has sparked widespread skepticism, not excitement, as the New Orleans Pelicans star aims to prove his commitment after another disappointing season. The team's struggles were showed by a 132-126 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 13, 2026, capping a recent run of poor form.
Reactions on social media were swift and largely cynical. One influencer bluntly stated, "We not falling for this jig no more." They demanded playoff success from the former number one overall pick. Another comment drew a direct comparison to Ben Simmons, referencing old videos of Simmons looking sharp in practice that never translated to regular season performance.
Williamson's latest clips, shared by his trainer Kris Chrisp, didn't feature the high-flying dunks fans expect. This fueled more sarcastic responses. "Not gonna lie, he looks like he don't do this often," one user observed. Another simply wrote, "he's still fat dawg." The collective eye-rolling highlights a significant loss of patience with the perennial offseason narrative surrounding Williamson's fitness.
This skepticism is rooted in recent history. Last offseason, Williamson generated optimism by reportedly dropping to around 264 pounds, his lightest weight since entering the league. That physical transformation promised a new chapter. Yet, the Pelicans finished with a dismal 26-56 record, missing both the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament entirely.
The team's form at the end of the 2025-26 campaign was troubling. Their last five results showed a 1W-4L record (LLWLL), including consecutive losses to close the season. After a 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz on April 8, they fell to the Orlando Magic 112-108 and then suffered heavy defeats to the Boston Celtics (144-118) and the Timberwolves.
The path forward is clear. Another viral workout can create temporary buzz, but the New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson need results on the court. Fans and analysts alike are done with promises. They want to see sustained health, consistent effort, and winning basketball when the games count.
Williamson's ability to stay on the floor is the single biggest factor for this team's potential. His career has been defined by injuries and missed games. Until he strings together a full, productive season, the offseason hype videos will continue to be met with doubt. The Pelicans' recent schedule, which you can review on our schedule page, shows how quickly a season can unravel without their star player available and effective.
The comparison to Ben Simmons is particularly stinging because it speaks to a gap between appearance and reality. Until then, the NBA world will likely keep its eyes rolled.
