Don't Forget about Amir just yet.

[Craiger]

I think Amir bulked up a bit too much last year and that hurt his quickness for rebounding and finishing. He looks stronger, but not as bulky as last year, in the picture. Also, it seems like certain guys like Demar, Amir & Ed, who did well under Jay Triano seemed to take a step back under Casey, while unlikely guys like Jose and Bargs did better. Not sure why that is, but I think there might be something theory there. Amir is a very valuable player, if he can get back to his previous form and avoid the fouling. A high energy, low usage big who can finish well and give you extra possessions with his outstanding offensive rebounding.

easy answer. Pace and offensive rebounding. The Raps played like snails to keep possessions down, keep scores close while running back after the shot to get the defense set.

Not suprisingly it effected the young athletic guys (and the better offensive rebounders) more than the experienced players

[golden]

I think Amir bulked up a bit too much last year and that hurt his quickness for rebounding and finishing. He looks stronger, but not as bulky as last year, in the picture. Also, it seems like certain guys like Demar, Amir & Ed, who did well under Jay Triano seemed to take a step back under Casey, while unlikely guys like Jose and Bargs did better. Not sure why that is, but I think there might be something theory there. Amir is a very valuable player, if he can get back to his previous form and avoid the fouling. A high energy, low usage big who can finish well and give you extra possessions with his outstanding offensive rebounding.

[theycallmeZZ]

Also keeping in mind that he started off as this:



..and is now at his current physique.

If Jonas can do anything CLOSE to that transformation, I'd be thrilled!
Ditto Demar, but I think with Demars frame, it won't need to be nearly as drastic.

You forget that Jonas was skinny wire man when he was drafted (recorded at 231). After one year working with McKechnie, he's somewhere between 245-248 seemingly without any loss of quickness. Kid's got a lot of time to grow.

[mcHAPPY]

^^^ this guy was stuck in a wheel chair after an injury he received while serving in the Army. This is a picture of him after being healed and getting himself on track.... yahhh......

Do you have a link for that? I'd be interested in seeing it.

The point remains the same though regardless of the origins of the picture. Spend time in any gym (especially on a Friday evening!) and you see huge arms and chest walking around with rounded shoulders and skinny legs.

[Joey]

Also keeping in mind that he started off as this:



..and is now at his current physique.

If Jonas can do anything CLOSE to that transformation, I'd be thrilled!
Ditto Demar, but I think with Demars frame, it won't need to be nearly as drastic.

[p00ka]

Always a good sign to see players in the weight room but it's what their doing in there that makes it worthwhile or not. Arm curls are useless for actual strength and just for show (can't really blame him). I hope he's working on his base (legs) and his core strength as that will be much more useful. Would much rather see a picture of him doing dead lifts then arm curls.

I would imagine that with McKechnie being the basketball conditioning guru, and from all I've read about him, core strength is very much on everybody's agenda.

[RAPresenting]

Always a good sign to see players in the weight room but it's what their doing in there that makes it worthwhile or not. Arm curls are useless for actual strength and just for show (can't really blame him). I hope he's working on his base (legs) and his core strength as that will be much more useful. Would much rather see a picture of him doing dead lifts then arm curls.

[Joey]

^^^ this guy was stuck in a wheel chair after an injury he received while serving in the Army. This is a picture of him after being healed and getting himself on track.... yahhh......

Eek.. Awwkwaaard.

[white men can't jump]

Still, like some people have said, hope he didn't forget to work out his legs...which he seems to forget every offseason.

[pesterm1]

I am loving Amir. I hope he put the same intensity in to his game as he has his body.

I think he got a bum rap last season due to the off season surgery and rehab that limited him from any bball related drills. I think he had a lot of rust coming back. I'm not saying Amir is anything other than a spot starter and third big man but any great team needs a great spot starter and third big man.

He does look big.... but I hope he did more than arm curls! FYI there is a study done somewhere (you can google it if you don't take my word for it) that had 2 test groups. one group did Olympic-style lifts and no arm workouts in their training and the other group did arm workouts as part of their training. The findings are surprising: no arm workout people had stronger arms. So if strength is what you are after, skip the curls and remember:

^^^ this guy was stuck in a wheel chair after an injury he received while serving in the Army. This is a picture of him after being healed and getting himself on track.... yahhh......

[The Fox]

All I got to say is I want his abs...Meaning I want abs like that...wow...

[p00ka]

+1. In the never-ending debate between Ed and Amir, Amir always comes out as the winner in my books.

Same here, but I'm hoping that Ed's first summer league, first summer working with coaches, and first real training camp, Ed shows a lot more this year. If nothing else, to at least become a valuable trade chip, as I still think Amir is a valuable 3rd big that Ed has some work to do in catching up to him.

[Joey]

In the never-ending debate between Ed and Amir, Amir always comes out as the winner in my books.

This being the other point to this thread.

Many people, external 'reviewers' and internal fans, have been talking ALOT about Ed, and how he could/should be the Future of the 4-spot for us ... I see nothing to back that up.

Especially when Amir has consistently outplayed him (even on a broken ankle!).
Amir is a Warrior, and will do anything for this team to win.



Even if it means 6 fouls in 6 minutes! Haha

[wallz]

I'm with Joey on this.. He's not being touchy, he's defending himself. If you guys think sharing an opinion is wrong then you're on the wrong site.

[Nilanka]

Amir's great, team's need that type of guy, get rid of that bum Davis already.

+1. In the never-ending debate between Ed and Amir, Amir always comes out as the winner in my books.