Re: Choking on My Corn Flakes

[michael t hart <thart@henge1.henge.com>]

I watched Michigan play 4 or 5 games this year, and yes Traylor is quick and
athletic with soft hads for his size.  My concern is his conditioning.  In every
game i saw he needed extended rest several times a game to catch his breath.  In
his current shape there is no way he could play Pitino ball.  I am sure Rick could
whip him into better shape.  I wonder if he would be more effective with less
weight, or if he would lose some of his game (literally), as he uses all 300 of
his pounds to his advantage.

jwt2@lehigh.edu wrote:

> >
> >Actually I did see him play a few times this year and your right about him
> >being athletic and he does have soft hands for such a big guy. My concern
> >is how he would hold up under a grueling NBA schedule given the condition
> >he's in. Makes me wonder where his priorites are given he's playing
> >overweight at the college level. Maybe Pitino might be able to whip him
> >into shape but I'd be concerned he would kill him in the process.
> >
> >JC
>
> Well, how a player handles the 82 game schedule will be a concern no matter
> who we draft.  However, I actually think that there would be more concern for
> one of the skinnier players, and how they will survive being banged up every
> night.  This was the main concern about Marcus Camby when he came out, and you
> will hear about it with respect to a few of this year's players also.
>
> And i'm also not sure that there is a direct connection between someone being
> "overweight" and them being "not in shape".  Even though they play less games
> than the NBA players, the college players still go through practice almost
> everyday (which can sometimes be more grueling than playing a game), and they
> work out regularly in the offseason.  Traylor can obviously carry his weight
> pretty well on the court, and i think that just the continued practicing and
> playing that he will do in the NBA will help take care of some of his extra
> bodyfat without him doing anything different than the other players.
>
> Like I said, i'm not sure that he's the answer, but in this draft the celtics
> could do a whole lot worse...
>
> Jeff