The New Orleans Pelicans have a participant who’s making an attempt to get larger forward of a grueling NBA season.
The New Orleans Pelicans have made some daring strikes throughout this offseason. The franchise is able to go in a brand new route.
After buying and selling Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors in February, the Pelicans knew they needed to make some massive modifications to their roster.
And step one to that was getting youthful, buying and selling CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards to land Jordan Poole.
The subsequent step was including some thrilling younger gamers from the NBA Draft. The Pelicans picked Jeremiah Fears with the #7 decide, then traded up into the lottery to choose Derik Queen at #13.
It’s clear the Pelicans are prepared for a brand new season. And their gamers have been making ready for what might be their greatest problem. One participant particularly is embracing the physicality of the NBA by making an attempt to pack on extra muscle.
Yves Missi spoke through the New Orleans Pelicans’ NBA Summer time League coaching. One of many reporters requested him about his barely larger body.
Missi admitted that it was an intentional selection, as he tried so as to add extra muscle to develop larger and compete with the NBA’s larger gamers and the elevated physicality of the league.
Reporter: “You appear like you might have added weight this offseason?”
Yves Missi: “A bit bit, somewhat bit. Engaged on my power clearly, get somewhat larger, not being pushed round. That’s the purpose for the complete summer time.
“The league is extra bodily yearly. You will have guys 250+, largely facilities. I’ve received to stand up there.”
Missi is 6’11, and including some muscle to go along with his slender body might make him one of many extra imposing bodily presences within the NBA.
Whereas the added body may not assist his shot blocking, it might permit him to contest pictures higher and make life tough for gamers making an attempt to drive to the basket.
Missi may also be including on the additional weight to present him a leg up within the choice course of. With the Pelicans drafting Derik Queen, Missi now has competitors for the beginning heart spot.
Pelicans GM Joe Dumars needed to defend drafting Queen vigorously, which confirmed how a lot religion the franchise has within the younger star.
As such, Missi should be sure that he establishes a pecking order to keep away from shedding his spot. Final season, Missi averaged 9.1 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
These are respectable numbers, however Missi should try to enhance his stats if he needs to proceed being the beginning heart.
The addition of Kevin Looney to the Pelicans solely makes his function that a lot more durable. Missi might want to discover the motivation to battle for his spot.
