Most NBA players train year-round to be able to stay at the highest level in terms of physical ability, maintain strength and to help avoid injuries.
You can always tell that some players go just a bit harder than others, though, by seeing their overall physical shape. Although a simple case of genetics plays a factor with some, players at the NBA level can mostly get in tip-top shape if they deem it necessary.
Take Kyle Lowry, for example. The stocky point guard has always been pretty heavy for his size – he is listed as six feet tall and 205 pounds – at his position, and it surely helped him play a certain way (like bulldozing his way to the basket), but he has also constantly had issues with staying healthy throughout the course of a year. It’s hard to say for sure whether his weight contributed to the many injuries he has suffered over the years, but based on the most recent photo of him that has surfaced, he appears to be ready to find out how good it will be for him to be in terrific shape when the season begins.
Another player you just know goes the extra mile just by looking at him is Serge Ibaka, who didn’t need to say much to prove his point on Wednesday:
once you see results it become an addiction. #ibakaworld #sonofthecongo #avecclasse pic.twitter.com/bQU0siaIs5
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka9) August 5, 2015
Oh, and in case you’re wondering what “avec classe” is:
#avecclasse mean #withClasse https://t.co/KykR9vT4nu
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka9) August 6, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.