Recent news coming from the LA Lakers camp bodes well for the season ahead as conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco reported that they are on full schedule in preparing the players for the grueling competition.
The trainer also had good news regarding newly hired LA Lakers center, Roy Hibbert, as he said that the former Indiana Pacer made good on his promise to drop some fat for the upcoming season.
He explained to NBA.com, "Roy has had a very productive offseason, including losing body fat and gaining muscle. He accomplished a good chunk of this before we signed him, but since signing he has been one of the most frequent weight-room visitors and we have seen an appropriate bump in lean mass."
"It is always great to lose weight, but not when you lose muscle, too," he added. "Losing the excess body fat was important because that only makes it harder to keep up with the pace of the game. A big like him has some monster bodies to bang with, so this increase in lean mass will be very helpful in that sense."
For 2nd draft pick D'Angelo Russell, his less-than-stellar numbers during the summer league gave Tim DiFrancesco the blueprint on how his training will go.
"We have worked on developing his lower-body balance, strength and power. He needs a strong base at his hips and core to stand up to the pace, athleticism and power that he will see from his opponents," he said.
As for Jordan Clarkson, which was in the news lately for his failed attempt to play for the national team of his hometown Philippines, the LA Lakers conditioning coach reported that he even added "a few more pounds of muscle."
He added, "I have had a number of our coaches/other players tell me how he seems stronger than ever before while on the court. He's a true gym rat, so this does not surprise me. He has been working the sand hills pretty hard, too, so don't be surprised to see his already impressive speed/endurance improved as well!"
