NBA training camps are in full swing. Optimism is in the air. The NBA streets are filled with stories of summer improvement: point guards who reworked their jump shots, big men who found a renewed committed to defense, and player after player who got into "the best shape of his life."
"The best shape of his life" is the chosen phrase coaches and beat writers use to breed hope that a player is about to have a huge year. It may or may not mean anything at all.
This year's list of best-shape-in-his-lifers includes draft busts looking to recover from poor rookie years, rookies with athleticism concerns, and players coming back from long-term injuries.
As a companion to Lang Whitaker's indispensable MUSCLEWATCH coverage of NBA weight fluctuations, here's every guy who's in "the best shape of his life" right now.
@AnthonyBennett has come to LV in best shape of his life..anxious to watch him elevate his game out here.. pic.twitter.com/ev84lOIeAA
— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) July 9, 2014
"Will Bynum has changed his diet and is in the best shape of his life. By all accounts, every member of the Detroit Pistons is ready to rock when training camp opens Tuesday morning — and it appears new coach Stan Van Gundy's message has gotten across."
6. Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies is in the best shape of his life (via SB Nation):
"Add all of this great Herrington information in with the fact that Marc Gasol is, by all accounts, in the best shape of his life, and this has the look of Marc Gasol looking to see what his value monetarily really is...not just to Memphis, but to New York, and Los Angeles, and to other cities in the NBA willing to throw their hats into the ring for the versatile big man."
7. Jared Sullinger of the Boston Celtics is in the best shape of his life:
Jared Sullinger says he hasn’t stepped on a scale, but he feels like he is in the best shape of his life. #Celticspic.twitter.com/657m4DAhX5
— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) September 29, 2014
JJ Redick says "there is a sense of urgency" Matt Barnes lost 20 pounds- haying he's in the best shape of his life pic.twitter.com/tM4MriCKwf
— Curt Sandoval (@ABC7Curt) September 29, 2014
10. Shabazz Muhammed of the Minnesota Timberwolves is in the best shape of his life.
Shabazz says he's down 20 pounds, to 225, says he's in best shape of career
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) September 29, 2014
224lb ready to go!!!! #chameleon training pic.twitter.com/NCVM6iBZSH
— shabazz muhammad (@ShabazzMuhammad) September 17, 2014