THT 20 LB Weight Loss

[KqWIN]

It may not have been the biggest limiting factor but if he has less bad weight it will help everything. You can get to your spots with a little more speed it can improve your decision making in that you have more options or more clean passing lanes. May not help the jumper a ton but shooting starts with legs and having less strain there may help with consistency of mechanics... its a bit of a stretch but it can't hurt.

Meh...his weight is not even in the top 5 things I think he needs to work on. His body and athleticism are the only things keeping him in the league in the first place. Yeah, he's a bigger dude but I think people are just obsessed with calling NBA players fat/lazy whenever they can. Seems a little weird to focus on that stuff when his shooting/decision making is so poor. If he can develop just one or the other, he will likely be a long term player in this league. Of course he can get into better shape, almost every player can, but a little skill development would go a lot further than him getting in picture perfect shape. Getting to that point where he can either 1) be a reliable ball handler/decision maker or 2) good enough shooter where he can play off the ball is paramount. Can't think of a single time where a player had a major skill development and his weight loss was ever considered as a key factor in that development, so yeah I'd say it's a stretch.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Meh...his weight is not even in the top 5 things I think he needs to work on. His body and athleticism are the only things keeping him in the league in the first place. Yeah, he's a bigger dude but I think people are just obsessed with calling NBA players fat/lazy whenever they can. Seems a little weird to focus on that stuff when his shooting/decision making is so poor. If he can develop just one or the other, he will likely be a long term player in this league. Of course he can get into better shape, almost every player can, but a little skill development would go a lot further than him getting in picture perfect shape. Getting to that point where he can either 1) be a reliable ball handler/decision maker or 2) good enough shooter where he can play off the ball is paramount. Can't think of a single time where a player had a major skill development and his weight loss was ever considered as a key factor in that development, so yeah I'd say it's a stretch.

I mean these things are not mutually exclusive but Kevin Love dropped the fat and ended up and became a lights out shooter. Julius Randle also got shredded and his skill level increased. Jokic is another example.

I don't think it was because of the weight loss that they got more "skilled" but it helps them be better at basketball... its also a sign that they are putting in the work everywhere. Body transformation and weight loss are much less fun than skill dev. If true I would not discount the weight loss as a "meh". Part of being "skilled" is doing things better... but you can also do them faster and stronger. Less bad weight will help and it likely has more to do with diet than activity level... I mean if his body and athleticism are what is keeping him in the league why not improve on those things? Like Steph worked on his shot but also improved his body tremendously and that is part of what has made him more "skilled".

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Man that first half must have been REALLY rough if he was good for the second half of the season and finished the season at 28%.

I mean these things are not mutually exclusive but Kevin Love dropped the fat and ended up and became a lights out shooter. Julius Randle also got shredded and his skill level increased. Jokic is another example.

I don't think it was because of the weight loss that they got more "skilled" but it helps them be better at basketball... its also a sign that they are putting in the work everywhere. Body transformation and weight loss are much less fun than skill dev. If true I would not discount the weight loss as a "meh". Part of being "skilled" is doing things better... but you can also do them faster and stronger. Less bad weight will help and it likely has more to do with diet than activity level... I mean if his body and athleticism are what is keeping him in the league why not improve on those things? Like Steph worked on his shot but also improved his body tremendously and that is part of what has made him more "skilled".

Post-ASB he shot 39% from 3 on C&S with 2 attempts per game.

Pre-ASB he shot 25% on 1.5 per game.

In January he shot 39% on C&S as well, and 41% in February.

And it's all just taking what the defense gives him on C&S. It's also probably a decent argument as to why you dont want him to be the starting PG because his OTD 3pt shooting is putrid.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think THT should be fine with weight loss. For as big and heavy as he was, he was still contact avoidant on drives more than he was a foul drawer. His FTR wasnt terrible, but for someone who drove as much as he did it was pretty mediocre. If this helps him get by his man a bit faster where he can use his length to sneak in finishes instead of having to do extreme contortions or if it helps him finish at the rim more often, that's a win.

Defensively he was too big to guard a lot of screen heavy guards. Maybe this will help him get around those more quickly. He's still has such an insane low center of gravity for someone with his length that I dont think he will lose much of his defensive strengths guarding up a position.

 

[Elizah Huge]

This is great news. I love hearing that he’s been putting in work. I think his shot can come around my biggest concern with THT is his decision making. He could be special if he improves his shooting and works on making the right reads.

 

[KqWIN]

I mean these things are not mutually exclusive but Kevin Love dropped the fat and ended up and became a lights out shooter. Julius Randle also got shredded and his skill level increased. Jokic is another example.

I don't think it was because of the weight loss that they got more "skilled" but it helps them be better at basketball... its also a sign that they are putting in the work everywhere. Body transformation and weight loss are much less fun than skill dev. If true I would not discount the weight loss as a "meh". Part of being "skilled" is doing things better... but you can also do them faster and stronger. Less bad weight will help and it likely has more to do with diet than activity level... I mean if his body and athleticism are what is keeping him in the league why not improve on those things? Like Steph worked on his shot but also improved his body tremendously and that is part of what has made him more "skilled".

Personally, I would not attribute those skill developments to losing weight. Fairly clear case of correlation not being causation. A lot of guys get more skilled as they get older even as their athleticism gets worse, I actually think this is the most typical case. Being in better shape does make you better at basketball, I don't think it makes you a more skilled player. It may make you need less (or more) skill, but it doesn't increase or decrease the skill itself. I suppose you could say the result is the only thing that matters, but I really think you're reaching if you're looking at weight loss as a sign for better shooting.

It also goes both ways. If you increase your skill level and technique, you can be a better athlete at the same exact weight and body composition. Sure, if you're a split second faster or marginally more explsoive you may need less "skill" to complete the play. But in THT's case, it's so clear and cut what he needs to work on. His body/athleticism are his best attributes whereas his shooting is awful and his decision making is not up to snuff for a lead ball handler. Weight loss isn't a bad thing, but what will make or break his career is his skill development. He's not going to get to that 35% 3 point shooting by shedding weight, for example.

 

[Doc Cherno]

I remember when CJ Miles added 10 lbs of muscle and was ready to make the leap that year. . . .for 7 years straight.

To be fair, 70 lbs of muscle would slow almost anyone down.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Personally, I would not attribute those skill developments to losing weight. Fairly clear case of correlation not being causation.

this is unprovable... and I don't think you can just rule it out. Look at the jump in Jokic's numbers specifically... weight loss played a clear role in his improvement. He is more nimble and able to do weird one foot jumpers in part because he's not carrying around extra bad weight. In the other cases it might just have been part of what they were working on. In all cases its a good sign they have their **** together and are working on all the things.

A lot of guys get more skilled as they get older even as their athleticism gets worse, I actually think this is the most typical case. Being in better shape does make you better at basketball, I don't think it makes you a more skilled player. It may make you need less (or more) skill, but it doesn't increase or decrease the skill itself. I suppose you could say the result is the only thing that matters, but I really think you're reaching if you're looking at weight loss as a sign for better shooting.

Better 3 point shooting? Probably not... but better overall shooting? Sure. Being a half a beat faster turns a circus shot into a normal contested layup. Sooooo much of shooting is in the legs that I don't think you can truly just say being in better shape doesn't affect the jumper. Being able to consistently have your legs under you is key. AD has added weight/muscle and his jump shot has gone in the tank. Could just be coincidence.

It also goes both ways. If you increase your skill level and technique, you can be a better athlete at the same exact weight and body composition. Sure, if you're a split second faster or marginally more explsoive you may need less "skill" to complete the play. But in THT's case, it's so clear and cut what he needs to work on. His body/athleticism are his best attributes whereas his shooting is awful and his decision making is not up to snuff for a lead ball handler. Weight loss isn't a bad thing, but what will make or break his career is his skill development. He's not going to get to that 35% 3 point shooting by shedding weight, for example.

I get it... and the improvements aren't mutually exclusive. I just think 20 lbs is significant and should be treated with more than a "meh" if true. We aren't talking about Ochai losing 3 lbs of fat so he has an 8 pack instead of a 6 pack... we are talking about a guy who did good things with the weight he had... now he supposedly has shed 20 lbs of bad weight and those good things will be better. Like if he ends up shooting 10% more of his shots at the rim... and is shooting 10% better on those shots it opens up other things for him and others. Players may play so far off him that his pullup becomes more of a catch and shoot opportunity. Just because something is a strength doesn't mean it can't be improved and in fact it might have more ability to be improved.

Showing a clear sign of measurable improvement on something is not something I would "meh" as a fan... it shows they are in the gym working... I assume they know they are basketball players and not cross fit champs and are likely doing the other work too. If they are getting results on their body I wouldn't be surprised to see them getting results on the skills... its just hard for someone to report in the offseason that they have added 5% to their 3 point shot ya know.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I mean... go to the gym and put a 15-20 lb weight vest on and see how fast you run and jump... then do it without and see how fast you run and jump. Being able to run a little faster and jump a little higher makes a difference between a make and a miss sometimes.

 

[infection]

I remember when CJ Miles added 10 lbs of muscle and was ready to make the leap that year. . . .for 7 years straight.

Easy, pal. People keep saying this without realizing how young CJ really is. Had he stayed in school, he’d only be two or three years into his career as a cardiothoracic surgeon by now.

 

[KqWIN]

this is unprovable... and I don't think you can just rule it out. Look at the jump in Jokic's numbers specifically... weight loss played a clear role in his improvement. He is more nimble and able to do weird one foot jumpers in part because he's not carrying around extra bad weight. In the other cases it might just have been part of what they were working on. In all cases its a good sign they have their **** together and are working on all the things.


Better 3 point shooting? Probably not... but better overall shooting? Sure. Being a half a beat faster turns a circus shot into a normal contested layup. Sooooo much of shooting is in the legs that I don't think you can truly just say being in better shape doesn't affect the jumper. Being able to consistently have your legs under you is key. AD has added weight/muscle and his jump shot has gone in the tank. Could just be coincidence.


I get it... and the improvements aren't mutually exclusive. I just think 20 lbs is significant and should be treated with more than a "meh" if true. We aren't talking about Ochai losing 3 lbs of fat so he has an 8 pack instead of a 6 pack... we are talking about a guy who did good things with the weight he had... now he supposedly has shed 20 lbs of bad weight and those good things will be better. Like if he ends up shooting 10% more of his shots at the rim... and is shooting 10% better on those shots it opens up other things for him and others. Players may play so far off him that his pullup becomes more of a catch and shoot opportunity. Just because something is a strength doesn't mean it can't be improved and in fact it might have more ability to be improved.

Showing a clear sign of measurable improvement on something is not something I would "meh" as a fan... it shows they are in the gym working... I assume they know they are basketball players and not cross fit champs and are likely doing the other work too. If they are getting results on their body I wouldn't be surprised to see them getting results on the skills... its just hard for someone to report in the offseason that they have added 5% to their 3 point shot ya know.

I feel comfortable ruling out weight loss as a key factor in THT's shooting and decision making development as well as the players you mentioned, but to each their own.

Getting in better shape makes you a better basketball player. It's a very different thing from skill development for me. Never have I ever saw a player that sucked at shooting and thought....man he really needs to lose weight and that will fix it. IMO, THT is a classic case of a good athlete with low skill ability. It's not a bad thing to go from good to great as an athlete, of course, but if a player desperately needs to improve his shooting and/or decision making his weight is one of the last things I will think about in terms of that development. If a guy can't shoot, his weight is one of the last things I would find myself blaming it on. This is especially the case for a guy like THT who desperately needs to be able to make wide open stand still jumpers. Someone like Keyonte is a different story, where he needs to be able to create more separation because the defense is breathing down his neck when he's shooting. But even in Keyonte's case, I wouldn't say he became a better shooter I'd just say he's a better athlete.

It's a good thing if THT is in better shape, but IMO his body was already his best attribute and what he really needs to succeed is improving his shooting/decision making which won't be improved by simply losing weight. I can see your point about it being a good sign that he's working hard on all parts of his game. I simply think the weight "issues" THT has have been overblown and that the key his success lies in his skill development.

 

[LogGrad98]

I remember when CJ Miles added 10 lbs of muscle and was ready to make the leap that year. . . .for 7 years straight.

The next MJ, I swear!! He has what it takes to be the GOAT!! Just give him a little more time, remember that one game? Yeah, that's the stuff! And DedEx is the Harden Stopper, no one can score on him!!