Alexis bulking up

[BIGCatBobcat]

I saw this article a while back and forgot to post it: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bigger-and-better/article1181914/

Glad to see it. I really expect a lot out of him next year.

Side note: Do you think Bosh goes to any team with the max money available that isn't in Canada?

[WAM9]

It is really great to see Alexis working out with these guys and at a strength camp at that. 7'2'' sure sounds good and if he can add 10-15 pounds per year to his frame he just might have the opportunity to grow to his potential.

And yes, I think Bosh will have a choice of max money from more than 1 team other than Toronto. I sure wish he was a guy we could somehow make a run at...very unlikely.

[jazzer89]

If ajinca could somehow gain the muscle, and hopefully some good mental habits from guys like bosh, then trading that future pick was not such a bad idea afterall. Look i am sure all of you have seen his personal workouts on youtube where he his hitting jumpshots only okafor can dream about. Look he is still only 20 Ajinca could turnout to be a starter if he stays true to his workouts and keeps learning the game

[SWedd523]

Just give Lexy all the food that was going to McMay and he'll bulk up. I like that he took the initiative to hook up with that trainer as it can only mean good things.

[teej]

If Lexy is half of Bosh we're in good shape.

[Keetch]

Totally incredible that Ajinca is out there with that group. This seems to be what he needs, if he can take it. No doubt, that if Lexi can somehow put some muscle on that body; with his skills he could be a special player. I've got to be skeptical for now, but at least he's trying.

I noticed they mentoined he was 7-2. If you've seen him standing with the team, you know he's truly that tall, even though he's listed at 7-0. Dude is up there.

I.E. Potentially Unstoppable.

[Dead_Real]

Great to see him working on improving his biggest weakness hopefully he proves the people who wrote him off already wrong.

[BRNC]

I don't know about "writing him off" but he needs to learn the game here...I still hope he spends most (if not all) of the year in NBADL to get the court time and learn the game better...

The problem I had with drafting Lexy was (and still remains)...why would a second rate pro league (France) have an NBA caliber first round draft choice hardly playing? Unlikely that they would...I trust LB enough to think there is something there but he needs to get it developed with court time this year to year and a half or it will turn out to be a wasted pick...if it is much longer we're getting into UFA with a guy that has yet to contribute (with a chance he's signed cheap by another team) and we let him go...he goes somewhere else and starts to contribute...would be bad for us all around...if he's going to be successful I'd like him to do it here not for some other team...we need to bite the bullet and give him a full year in NBADL IMO...

[jazzer89]

Has anyone thought about him being the potential center of the future? i mean look he could be that guy in 2-3 years and by that time okafor would be getting up there in age and his contract would be almost up. If this guy pans out could he be the one to finally add height to our 5 spot?

[bing!]

^ I don't think his frame allows for enough bulk necessary to handle the starting C position.

[BIGCatBobcat]

I agree with Bing. I think he's got the shot, height and ability to compete. I want to see it happen sooner than later and this is one of those things you stumble across in the off season and say "Hell yeah" when you read it. I think bulking up too much too soon on a 20 year old could be a problem. I think that's what led to Ammo's knee injury. ILBIT based on the kid's potential, haven't seen it yet but if Larry says it is, it is.

[jazzer89]

i think this guy actually could be more like a dirk/duncan. not on their level of course but they have good jumpers at 7ft tall but they can also defend guys their height as well. personally i would like Alexis to play pf on offense then use his height on defense at the center position. his 7'8" wingspan provides with some great blocking ability and he could be a good defender down the road. I am not looking for this guy to produce big time numbers this year or even the next but in three years time this guy has to be able to produce on a consistent level and provide us with a good starter.

[WAM9]

The problem I had with drafting Lexy was (and still remains)...why would a second rate pro league (France) have an NBA caliber first round draft choice hardly playing? Unlikely that they would...I trust LB enough to think there is something there but he needs to get it developed with court time this year to year and a half or it will turn out to be a wasted pick...

Lexy is a super example of high risk / high reward. Trading away 1 future #1 pick for him is risky. Having a #1 pick play in the D-League half of last year is risky. Having him play another year in there is risky as well. The fact that he could (and I repeat could) be something more (and I mean much, much more) is the reward.

Him working out with guys like Chris Bosh at a strength camp is an incredible step in the right direction. He certainly has a gift for basketball (he is over 7',is athletic and can shoot the ball). That is not in question. Everyone can see his potential. What is question is whether he can truly develop this potential.

How many 17-18 year olds are playing with a National team anywhere in the world. I know they exist but the list is short. I bet France doesn't have coaches of Larry Brown's quality. Just because he hasn't getten major playing time or numbers over there, that doesn't necessarily mean he won't eventually. Think about how much a guy like Yao Ming developed after he came to the states. It can happen.

I still have extremely high hopes for Lexy.

[BRNC]

Wam...if I've ever seen a first round draft pick that needed more NBADL then it is Lexy...on too many occasions he looked lost...he has individual skills but seemed to be lagging with "play" skills...

Part of the problem might be language and getting court time and having guys yell at him when he is messing up would probably be a good thing in his case...He has just not had enough (France in particular) pro floor time...he really needs it and the only way he gets it is NBADL...

[WAM9]

BRNC, I don't necessarily disagree with you about the D-League for him but that begs the question:

Would he develop faster on the regular roster, getting limited playing time but practicing with Larry Brown teaching him everyday or would he be better off without LB but getting significant minutes in the D-Leage?

I can make an arguement both ways. I think I personally would like to see him start the season on the regular roster. I think court time around Larry Brown trumps the d-league for now. If his progression is not up to LB's standards, he could always be sent down. I'm not sure though. Like I said, I could argue either way on this one.

[Ghost Kat]

BRNC, I don't necessarily disagree with you about the D-League for him but that begs the question:

Would he develop faster on the regular roster, getting limited playing time but practicing with Larry Brown teaching him everyday or would he be better off without LB but getting significant minutes in the D-Leage?

I can make an arguement both ways. I think I personally would like to see him start the season on the regular roster. I think court time around Larry Brown trumps the d-league for now. If his progression is not up to LB's standards, he could always be sent down. I'm not sure though. Like I said, I could argue either way on this one.

At first I agreed with this. Lexy should be with the Cats and LB. The NBADL has no coach anywhere near hall of fame status. But, Ajinca looked so lost at times he needs to be on the court. One more year in the D-league isn't going to hurt this team. Lex is 20 yrs old. Still plenty more yrs in those skinny legs. I think he'll be worth the grooming time. There no way he helps us make the playoffs so let him grow some more in the minors. I think Ajinca can play center in the NBA. He's listed at 220..10 more pounds on muscle is alot if his frame can handle it. He doesn't have to be that heavy, Just needs to have strong legs. With a 7'8 wing span he has monkey arms so he just needs to get off the floor first.

[BRNC]

BRNC, I don't necessarily disagree with you about the D-League for him but that begs the question:
Would he develop faster on the regular roster, getting limited playing time but practicing with Larry Brown teaching him everyday or would he be better off without LB but getting significant minutes in the D-Leage?I

LB tried not sending him down last year and then decided it was a mistake...there is only so much a player can get from practice (if the problem is not having court time) to help them develop...I understand Lexy being frustrated about not playing last year...but it was obvious to me (and I'm sure the coaching staff) that he was getting lost during plays...I don't know how much is language and how much is just not playing complex "O" and "D"...but he definitely needs court time he's not getting...and if LB feels he hurts the team he still will not get..so NBADL to refine his game is the only answer I see...

[Mustachio]

At first I agreed with this. Lexy should be with the Cats and LB. The NBADL has no coach anywhere near hall of fame status. But, Ajinca looked so lost at times he needs to be on the court. One more year in the D-league isn't going to hurt this team. Lex is 20 yrs old. Still plenty more yrs in those skinny legs. I think he'll be worth the grooming time. There no way he helps us make the playoffs so let him grow some more in the minors. I think Ajinca can play center in the NBA. He's listed at 220..10 more pounds on muscle is alot if his frame can handle it. He doesn't have to be that heavy, Just needs to have strong legs. With a 7'8 wing span he has monkey arms so he just needs to get off the floor first.


I dont think Ajinca should play center. I think hes more the worlds tallest SF to be honest.

[teej]

I dont think Ajinca should play center. I think hes more the worlds tallest SF to be honest.

He's like Boris...he can play ANY position.

I want to see the look on the other guy's face when he lines up at PG...

[TattoodCats4life]

i dont think ajinca should play center. I think hes more the worlds tallest sf to be honest.

ding ding ding someone got it right ###!@!@#!@

[docend24]

Well I think he was being a bit overlooked, underused by PGs. On D-League level (too). He was forced to create for himself more then getting the ball. I would like to see his shocking 3pt made more than once per game. The look of opposite players is just priceless.

Lexy could be great for screens, pick and rolls etc. With his height they cant really switch and let guard guard him on perimeter because that would reasult in semi-open shot. And if his (big) man won't be there fully Lexy can shoot. If he will, then they are lacking his inside presence and Lexy's teammate can drive. Add his inside game - if he could master a hook shot others can't really defend...

I would actually love Red Claws playing him as a first option even just for one game. It would be great to watch and it would tell a lot about him how he could handle it. And I would wonder how he could pass out of good defense or even double teams.

[Fred Williamson]

I hope he gains some muscles and can become an impact player next year.

Damn, a 7'1 guy who can shoot it from almost anywhere. :o
That would be awesome

[polarcat]

i was talking with someone that i work with that knows lexy personally and had some great news ( i am not trying to start rumors in that "friend-of-a-friend's brothers, ex-girlfriends' pet sitter's mother" kind of way). lexy has gained 25 lbs. of weight since this person last saw him towards the end of the season (last 3 games were on the road plus sioux falls prior to that). my friend said lexy has more confidence about himself with this added weight and that he looks quite different than before. my buddy said with his shirt off it is noticably different....like night and day from before. they only hung out for a little bit because he's heading off to france, but the way my friend was talking, i was getting excited. if ajinca came into the league around 220lbs, that would put him around 245. we don't need a barkley or oakley down low banging, but a chris bosh lean type that can just absorb the everyday contact and not get bullied would be amazing. the kid has all the tools except the weight and the adjustment to the u.s. game. if he can put those together, i think we have a sick pf waiting in the wings. just thought i'd share... i understand the skepticism with reports like this, so take it how you will.

[amour217]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/amour217/steroids.jpg

[SWedd523]

Steroids make your dick little


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjiIirDgHzI

[Walt Cronkite]

^That's hilarious.

Hopefully Ajinça bulking up and playing for the French NT this summer lead to good things. I still want to believe!

[bing!]

I want to hear news of him tearing some guy's arms out of their sockets.

[amour217]

Maybe he needs some metal arms like Jax in MK2

[Walt Cronkite]

Or Forearm blades like Baraka.

[bing!]

Screw those, what he needs is a nice commie super-hero suit...

http://www.benshore.com/images/omegaRed.jpg

[Walt Cronkite]

What is that Omega Red art from?

I can't think of a single French super hero or villain.

[bing!]

^ http://www.benshore.com/index_2D.htm

... the guy whipped it up to serve as a loading screen for an X-Men game, go figure.