Post NutriSystem; Big baby or Scal?

[BigHam]

Let's say both these guys lost 15-20 lbs, who would you want first off the bench?

Both are touted to have high B-ball IQs, but if they were to drop the extra weight which one would be left without an excuse.

Scal's range is better than Baby's, but Baby is likely a better interior defender. Scal wins the speed contest, hands down.

Obviously, both of these guys are not going to get their acts together. Likely McDonalds will not go under during this financial crisis. Who has more untapped potential?

[Fafnir]

I don't think either are in as terrible shape as you think.

Baby would be a better 4 at 20 pounds less. I'm not sure he'd work as well at the 5 though, that is where we use them right now.

Scal isn't really overweight for his size and his age. I think he'd be a bit better but still the same player. Baby would get a greater gain. Hopefully he'd have more lift so he could finish inside shots better.

[BigHam]

   I guess my greater point is that we always criticize both of these guys for their weight and conditioning issues. I don't doubt both are actually exceptional athletes. But what, if any actual improvement in their games would we see with weight loss? Or is it a waste of time to use weight as an excuse for their performance?

[Fafnir]

   I guess my greater point is that we always criticize both of these guys for their weight and conditioning issues. I don't doubt both are actually exceptional athletes. But what, if any actual improvement in their games would we see with weight loss? Or is it a waste of time to use weight as an excuse for their performance?

Baby would gain some lift, which would really help him finish near the rim. You can see how differently Powe and he have to go about it. Baby goes glass using space he creates with his body. Powe can usually dunk it or elevate above the rim to push it in.

He'd also likely get less winded and be quicker. *shrug* We'll see. I just hope he doesn't gain more weight more than I hope for him losing much at this point.

[zerophase]

where scal is in his career, its impossible for him to loose much more weight. with baby loosing weight would make him even more undersized. i'm not sure thats a good idea.

[clover]

Big Baby's extra 20(?) lbs. have come in useful so far this year on this center-challenged team.  But why not get creative and team Baby with Rondo?  Baby can be the before picture, Rondo the after.

(Sorry, Scal, this scenario doesn't work quite so well for you!)

[Michael Anthony]

Great questions because 20lbs means a position change for both of them - Davis to the 4 and Scal to the 3. To echo the sentiments of this board, it would be bad for the C's if Davis lost the weight.

If Scal dropped into the 220 range he could develop into the Lebron stopper this team needs (tongue firmly inserted into cheek).

[xmuscularghandix]

Big Baby's strength is his size, you saw the way that he used it against shaq and howard. and although he has the strengh of a big man he still has the touch of a wing player. I dont understand why everyone is so obsessed with BBD losing weight, the kid has shown that it doesn't affect his stamina, and that he's still developing into a good bench player. i love him just the way he is.

[billysan]

The key to this question for me is strength. I both stay the same size and convert 20lbs to muscle then we are ahead of the game. If both lose 20-30 lbs of 'fat' and dont add muscle in it's place then we lose ground.

Muscle abounds on Baby already, he just has a layer of 'cushioning' over it. If he became 20lbs leaner he would gain lift and speed. I am not sure he would lose too much effectiveness against the bigger 5's unless he lost muscle mass.

Scal needs to improve his strength and Cardio fitness. Not to say he is in bad shape, but comparatively speaking he needs to improve if he wants to be a bigger factor in the rotation.

I think both guys could use some offseason fitness work if it includes adding muscle mass and getting leaner.

[RAcker]

Baby, I like you Bill Joel style...Just the Way You Are.

Scal has been a nice surprise during the stretch without Perk.  We owe Veal some props folks, no matter what his man breasts look like.

[Brendan]

When people say "his strength is his size" for either player, they are wrong. Unless the OP means "lose 20 lbs by fasting" they would not lose their strength, they would "lean up".

Random guess for body fat % on BBD and Scal? I'd say both are in the 10-15% range and would play better in the 15-20 range. Scal is 30 and BBD is (I think) 23. Both are still young enough to get in better shape.

BBD would be served better IMO. He'd be just as effect using his strength and size, but he'd be far better off using his agility and finishing. And it would help his J too.

[housecall]

Big Baby's strength is his size, you saw the way that he used it against shaq and howard. and although he has the strengh of a big man he still has the touch of a wing player. I dont understand why everyone is so obsessed with BBD losing weight, the kid has shown that it doesn't affect his stamina, and that he's still developing into a good bench player. i love him just the way he is.

At the beginning of the season i thought BBD should lose a bunch of weight but after time has gone by and see it was more about getting into game shape(conditioning)than losing weight in his case.He was always winded quicker than the other players in the beginning of the season but i think once he  got use to running up/down the court a lot he has fixed that problem. I tend to agree with you.He seems to be playing comfortably the way he is. If it ain't broke,why fix it.tp for your post. 

[gkiteisscal]

Scal because he could be more athletic.  He is a good defender because he plays angles well, he'd be a better defender if he could move laterally with more quickness. 

Davis on the other hand thrives because of his size.  If he lost weight and bulk I think he would have trouble matching up on the block playing against larger offensive opponents (Shaq, Howard, Z).  He'd be more explosive on offense, but that is not the personality of this team.