Can NBA players be "FAT"?

#nba
In the realm of professional sports, body type expectations are highly specific. This analysis explores the question of whether one can be "kind of fat" in the NBA, examining past and present players who defy typical body image norms.
"Fat" is a derogatory term, and using medical terminology like overweight or obese provides a more objective and less judgmental perspective. In the NBA, most players have low body fat percentages, making body mass index (BMI) an ineffective measure due to the muscle mass of these athletes. Consequently, calling any NBA player overweight or obese using BMI alone would be misleading.
One of the most notable examples of an NBA player with significant body fat is Oliver Miller. Standing 6'9" and weighing around 300 pounds, Miller utilized his size to his advantage. His skills, including excellent footwork, court awareness, and rebounding ability, compensated for his lack of athleticism. Despite his talents, Miller's weight issues were a persistent problem throughout his career.
Miller's weight gain was linked to his eating habits rather than a medical condition. His stubbornness and lack of accountability for his weight gain impacted his career, leading to his weight reaching 400 pounds by 1998. Criticism and ridicule for his weight were common during the 90s, a period when body shaming was more socially acceptable. Charles Barkley, a teammate who struggled with weight himself, often humiliated Miller, hoping to motivate him.
Body shaming can sometimes stem from a place of personal insecurity or jealousy, especially among fans. For players like Zion Williamson, criticism often comes from fans who feel he is not meeting his potential. After receiving criticism, Zion responded by losing weight and improving his performance, suggesting that body shaming can sometimes motivate positive changes.
However, the line between humiliation and accountability is thin. Criticism should ideally focus on holding players accountable rather than shaming them. In Zion's case, despite the harsh criticism, he worked to improve his physical condition and performance, which garnered positive results.
Luka Dončić presents a different scenario. Despite criticism about his weight, Luka has consistently performed at an elite level, earning first-team All-NBA honors multiple times and winning a scoring title. His size has not hindered his health or performance, challenging the notion that professional athletes must conform to a specific body type.
Luka's success demonstrates that basketball skills, such as using one's center of gravity and timing, can outweigh the importance of physical appearance. Players like Zach Randolph and Kenny Lofton Jr. exemplify this as well, showing that skill and court awareness can make up for less conventional body types.
Physical appearance is not always an accurate indicator of an athlete's cardiovascular health or stamina. People of various body types can excel in endurance sports, including marathon runners. Similarly, in basketball, carrying extra weight does not necessarily impede performance.
However, for players like Kenny Lofton Jr., weight can be a barrier to reaching their full potential. Concerns about stamina, transition defense, and long-term health impact teams' willingness to sign such players to guaranteed contracts. Thus, while some players thrive despite unconventional body types, others may face legitimate challenges.
The question of whether one can be "kind of fat" in the NBA is complex and multifaceted. While body shaming is generally unproductive and harmful, holding players accountable for their physical condition and performance is essential. Historical and modern examples show that skill, court awareness, and the ability to use one's body effectively are often more important than conforming to an ideal body type. Ultimately, each player's situation is unique, and the focus should be on their performance and contributions to the team rather than their physical appearance.

[@hmmmgoodquestion857]

I think Jokic is a good example. From 2019 to his mvp seasons he went from looking gassed in the 4th to the best player in the world without his physical appearance changing at all.

[@whatslaps]

that's a good point. I think weight can be an indicator of stamina, but isn't necessarily.

[@benjespina]

He looks like he's so out of shape but you see him running the break and always being on the look out to push the pace or expend a lot of energy in the post. He looks sluggish but he has an excellent motor.

[@charlie_541]

Jokic is actually in good shape. Much better than the other people in this video

[@hmmmgoodquestion857]

@@charlie_541 That’s my point. He doesn’t look like it but he is a beast. Watch him in 2019, he was not the same.

[@AnimeVerse_]

Best player in the league, not best in the world. Best in the U.S. You are only a world champion or best in the world if you win at the Olympics, period.

[@Nicky-zz8np]

I saw Jokic survive a quadruple OT game. If he’s fat I wish I was fat too.

[@whatslaps]

Jokic is pretty lean now. His defense is understated too.

[@cfnretro6448]

And Charles Barkley comes to mind too. He was 6’6, 280 in his 76ers days.

[@bball3048mm]

@@cfnretro6448 6 foot 6 is a generous number. I swear he's probably not more than 6 foot 3.

[@chicomdelatorre]

my main takeaway is that i should keep bodyshaming people

[@chicomdelatorre]

and by people i mean myself cuz i need to lose some weight fr

[@whatslaps]

Basically body shame from a place of love or don't body shame. ya feel me?

[@genaro9477]

Boris Diaw was also a chunky player that had a solid career and a championship with my spurs✊🏼✊🏼

[@whatslaps]

Yeah, he had weight clause in his contract too.

[@duyanhng8430]

he also had plenty of funny stories, man just don’t gaf most of the time. Loved him after watching the SB Nation video on the hornets

[@jameschan7893]

whatslaps is this channel, freaking love this guy

[@whatslaps]

the channel and this guy ❤️s you

[@kylerbauer9776]

As someone who’s dropped a lot of weight, playing on a lower amount of body fat has made me quicker and less injury prone

[@whatslaps]

That's true. Anything over 20lbs can be dangerous playing sports

[@Andy2kk]

Reminds me of the time when Hazard turned up overweight at Madrid, his legacy there still remains of burgers and injuries.

[@whatslaps]

I just remember him killing it at Chelsea haha

[@maguirebentz797]

The rockets passed on drafting Marc gasol because the front office nicknamed him “man boobs”. After he started cooking in Memphis, the front office implemented a rule that derogatory nicknames could no longer be used for scouting players. And that physical appearance was insignificant compared to actual skill

[@whatslaps]

that's a great rule for anyone in any organization.

[@siphillis]

Oddly enough, my father works in healthcare and he often gets pushback from patients when he describes them as "obese" despite it being an objective measurement. Nevermind the fact that some of these people have BMIs in the 50s and are literally scratching off years of their life, they choose to get mad at him for telling them an uncomfortable truth. Us Americans are so conditioned to fat-shaming that even admitting that we are fat and need to lose weight is too painful to consider

[@whatslaps]

I know it's so complicated. I've been watching a lot of videos on the subject. It feels to me that there definitely a fetishization of being thin, and a degradation of people with a lot of body fat which is bad. At the same time there's a real health concern with obesity and it's killing a lot of people.

[@jacksonelh]

BMI is an outdated measurement. much of the advice we give overweight people is poor. even calorie-counting is not a viable strategy for real health. it's about what we're eating, not how much. many people that appear skinny or average actually carry dangerous amounts of body fat, visceral fat, inflammation, poorly functioning organs, liver etc.

[@rubyrogers239]

I really appreciate the nuance you always show in your arguements. You rarely say something is flat out wrong, and you always go a few layers deeper then the averave person.

[@whatslaps]

Haha, I had something in last week's that was wrong. Also thanks!

[@WestonGood]

But can NBA players be PHAT? 🤔

[@whatslaps]

You already know the answer to that one, baby.

[@WestonGood]

@@whatslapsBut good ser we the people NEED a part 2 follow up on the analysis of PHAT NBA players 🥵

[@Jaymez2012]

To add to your point about an athletic specimen vs. the 'every-man' body type, it should be noted that seeing different kinds of body types compete in sports can serve as reassurance to people that you don't necessarily have to massively transform your body to do well. Sports, as well as anything remotely competitive really, in a microcosm is about overcoming adversity, usually through creative adaptation, which is what makes it fascinating to watch overweight, unathletic players somehow manage to find a way to compete against organic equivalents to a T-1000, lol. It's the reason why someone like AI is regarded as a legend even though his career after his MVP season was largely unremarkable, because he was an average-to-below-averaged-sized dude constantly getting tossed around by giants every night while dropping 40 on their heads every other night, haha.

[@whatslaps]

exactly. it's not an arm wrestling competition. THere are so many dynamics of the game. The amount of moves you can add is endless. Watching tape as well, getting your brain to process faster.

[@warwolf88]

playing basketball is taxing on the body on its own u add in excess weight and u got a recipe for injury

[@whatslaps]

facts. Zion plays like Derrick Jones Jr.

[@warwolf88]

@@whatslaps Zion is an amazing player he just needs to embrace Kobe's momba mentality if he does that he will retire a legend and have his pelican jersey hung in the rafters

[@danielbierca4179]

Hey guys, the corn dog guy just posted!

[@whatslaps]

that me!

[@slobberkissintl3548]

I was thinking the other day, what a sign of how doomed we are, the idea that you are either pro-player or pro-team owner Like oh blah blah blah you know I'm always pro-player in these situations... But why not pro-fan?! Do we not feel like we deserve things? Basketball games aren't deciding the fate of the world, we shouldn't act like they are. It's entertainment. Entertainment for us, the fans. That's where the money is coming from. I don't want anyone to play through an injury and make it worse, but I think putting a weight clause in Zion's contract, for example, is pro-fan and i fully support it. Those old fuckers should pay the players what they are worth, but the problem is that we don't seem to understand what players are worth. Pro-player: there is no hard cap Pro-owner: max contracts are $20M but with loads of performance-based bonuses So if you get hurt and miss every game, you make $20M If you're mvp, fmvp, dpoy, scoring champ, THEN you could make $100M but no more, you make all NBA 3rd team in a contract year and now you always cost $45M Pro-fan: games played, minutes played minimums for bonuses. How about you PLAY BASKETBALL while you're being a basketball player.

[@whatslaps]

Brother, I've saying this forever. I love those ideas. Personally I'd like to see half the BRI be a part regular season guaranteed money and the other half players make in the post season based on success. If half of their salary was based on them winning playoff games the league would be so much more fun. Imagine in every player on the celtics total comp this year was over 50 million dollars?

[@Ethan-qr9pl]

Just waiting on the algorithm to catch up to this guy

[@whatslaps]

it's moving baby!

[@cmankman123]

I'm surprised this channel doesn't have more followers. Great content. Keep it up.

[@whatslaps]

thanx man! glad you found the channel!

[@dr4839]

maybe you could make a video about the olympic qualification and how it all works

[@whatslaps]

I would. I'm not super interested in International ball, but my video on Fifa did alright last year.

[@dark3rthanshadows]

We all have different body types when you're an athlete specially at sports like basket having too much fat can be a problem. Look at Zion, for his high flying slasher style he's body weight is a problem. Look at Kenneth Lofton Jr he really struggles because of that and we knows it. Then we have the players with amazing gameplay with very bad cardio that gets worse with more minutes like Doncic. Jokic is a good example on how u can work, he doesn't try a very fast paced game style in fact he does it very slowly . But i feel like he will have the same problem as Shaq, went he get older it will become a problem.

[@whatslaps]

I think we criticize people aesthetically which is the toxic part. Shaq's body fat while he was in LA was actually beneficial to his style.

[@harejam9528]

If you get offended when someone calls you fat then there's probably some substance to what they're saying

[@whatslaps]

I think that goes for any criticism that comes your way. it's important to introspective.

[@whitepalladian]

This may be deja vu but I've feel like I've seen a video like this from you before

[@whatslaps]

I did a video about muscles in the NBA january 2023. I think I talked about Zion and Miller in that one.

[@JDotvaporz]

That Windhorst rant that eveyone was raving about really irks me. Luka's defence wasnt stellar in that series but it definitely was not the reason they lost

[@whatslaps]

true. I agree, but it was pretty bad. He just doesn't switch a lot of the time.

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

Luka needs that weight to post up anyone specifically smaller guards. He also had a great all around defensive year before he got injured right before the playoffs and you can tell it just got too much that he had to take painkiller injections before each game, he needed to conserve energy more than ever too to facilitate and score but so he had to rely on team defense but Boston was just too good. If Dallas had faced a team like the 2023 heat and not a superteam they would’ve won but they lost so the narrative shifted again and just blame it all on Lukas defense when his literal teammates couldn’t make shots to save their lives and choked!

[@iambottokam]

Love the videos binged pretty much all them

[@whatslaps]

thass wassup

[@cezar__]

do you have thoughts on the new detroit pistons hirings and firing troy n monty?

[@whatslaps]

seems like a safe hire. I have a strong feeling they still won't win a championship next season.

[@cezar__]

@@whatslaps i think it's more about developing the young team rather than win a championship right now, either way thank you for responding

[@nedtedjedfreded]

Can u talk about the end of the warriors dynasty? Great vid fam

[@whatslaps]

I think that might be the move. People love warriors content.

[@dr.mikelitoris]

what's the sound effect at 0:14 and 0:15 when the background turns red? It's my favorite sound in the world

[@whatslaps]

"wrong buzzer" pixabay

[@dr.mikelitoris]

@@whatslaps oh my god thank you i love you im going to proceed to listen to this for the next 10 hours

[@leojamesquiambao1047]

whatslapps, just a suggestion, have you thought of making a how to not make a competitive NBA team video (i.e., what should be avoided when making a competitive NBA team)

[@whatslaps]

Yeah, I think I'm going to do a player development video similar to that.

[@christophergoode3421]

Kevin Durant knows wat I’m talking about 😂😂 idk the undertone still made my laugh

[@whatslaps]

He said something a while back about people on twitter criticizing superstars because they hate their own lives. Ben Detrick referenced it once, but I haven't been able to find video of him saying it.

[@christophergoode3421]

@@whatslaps hey add me on call of duty mobile @ YoungRothchild

[@zionokungbowa]

I think Luka's fat is a problem because if he lost weight he would be able to move better and it would positively improve his defense because offensively he has no issues in fact he is strong as hell and he can just bully his way to the rim

[@whatslaps]

I'd say priority would be his defense, then working on leaning out a bit.

[@KB8Killa]

@@whatslapsI don’t think he will be able to move laterally well without losing that body fat.

[@andreasl_fr2666]

In Europe, you know that when you get a Yugoslav player it's 50%/50% , you're either getting great professionalism (Bogdanovic) or someone that just coasts on talent/skill (Luka) , it is what it is. As weird as this might sound , I don't think Luka has improved much since I first saw him play at 17 , his body and usage just caught up to the skills.

[@Joe_Ma99]

His usage rate has more of an effect on his defense than his weight imo but I imagine his defense would improve if both were lowered.

[@andreasl_fr2666]

@@Joe_Ma99 Luka plays decent defense when he has the legs for it , he just never has said legs.

[@Cxsperxz]

What’s your thoughts on PG to the 76ers

[@whatslaps]

He's going to be 38 at the end of that deal and getting paid 60 million dollars. need I say more?

great shit, these videos are IT dawg

[@whatslaps]

thanks brother! glad you like the vids!

[@dolphineta]

Great video. I agree with all your points but don’t you think that a guy like Luka going through a body recomposition where he sheds a bit of fat and puts a few pounds of muscle would improve his game without hindering it at all?

[@richborn6700]

Luka is a lot like Shaq in that they start the season out of shape, and seem to lean on the game time and practice to get their cardio back into gear. Then again Luka is a euro so he probably spends his summers smashing his chick and drinking tons of room temperature beer

[@whatslaps]

yeah, probably. My fear is that the weight goes up. People that aren't paying attention to what they're putting into their bodies and how much they're putting in lose control quickly.

[@jeffgumawid7554]

Granted he was not in the NBA, but once you saw Escalade do his thing in the And 1 mixtapes, you would know some big bois could ball

[@whatslaps]

RIP big man

[@Betterselfreport]

Dope channel bro.

[@whatslaps]

thanks brother!

[@NothingButNet83]

I didn’t know George Kittle was so familiar with hoop

[@whatslaps]

thank you for saying Kittle and not Dahmer.

[@NothingButNet83]

@@whatslaps 💀

[@felipealmeida8953]

I feel like most of the criticism towards Lukas weight comes from people that see that he could be an even greater player because even though him being a little heavier aids in his playstyle offensively he’s a clear negative on D and always winded with his hands on knees

[@whatslaps]

yeah, I agree. His play style and weight are a recipe for disaster.

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

Luka needs that weight to post up anyone specifically smaller guards. He also had a great all around defensive year before he got injured right before the playoffs and you can tell it just got too much that he had to take painkiller injections before each game, he needed to conserve energy more than ever too to facilitate and score but so he had to rely on team defense but Boston was just too good. If Dallas had faced a team like the 2023 heat and not a superteam they would’ve won but they lost so the narrative shifted again and just blame it all on Lukas defense when his literal teammates couldn’t make shots to save their lives and choked!

[@SaulFavela-ld8kt]

I’d like to think getting paid millions upon millions is enough reason to get absolutely ripped but ig not

[@whatslaps]

the thing is the money affords you your favorite food all the time whenever you want it.

[@basiliospapavasiliou8603]

Great job mate!

[@whatslaps]

Thanks mate, glad you liked it!

[@jacksonelh]

the body influences the mind. if luka is smoking, drinking, eating inflammatory processed foods, he's increasing his inflammation and his cortisol levels. high cortisol leads to inability to regulate emotions. his complaining towards the referees isn't an isolated issue, everything is related to everything else. the same can be said of his defense, which is largely an effort and energy-expenditure thing. he visibly runs out of energy during games. he doesn't need a high muscle mass to body people, he needs it to increase his body's efficiency using energy, its ability to protect his joints from injury, his stability and balance. there's a reason he's irritable, runs out of gas, poor defender, highly susceptible to injury.

[@whatslaps]

Does Luka smoke cigarettes?!

[@nuski1236]

​@@whatslaps he smokes cigarettes, cigars and hookah

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

Dude I can tell you dont watch full Mavs games during the season. Luka needs that weight to post up anyone specifically smaller guards. He also had a great all around defensive year before he got injured right before the playoffs and you can tell it just got too much that he had to take painkiller injections before each game, he needed to conserve energy more than ever too to facilitate and score but so he had to rely on team defense but Boston was just too good. If Dallas had faced a team like the 2023 heat and not a superteam they would’ve won but they lost so the narrative shifted again and just blame it all on Lukas defense when his literal teammates couldn’t make shots to save their lives and choked!

[@jacksonelh]

@@JERWINIVANCORBETA he needs weight to push around smaller guards. not necessarily fat. muscle is much denser than fat meaning it's a much more efficient way to gain weight than putting on fat is. it also protects the ligaments from injury. luka has a higher than average body fat percentage. if he had a high muscle mass with a low body fat percentage, he'd have an even easier time posting up, and be significantly more agile and durable.

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

@@jacksonelh well tbf he was pretty toned before the injury in the rockets game. He just needs a healthy mix of it cuz if its all muscle it would affect his soft touch around the rim

[@taylormarkwell2044]

Do you think Luka would be more efficient on defense if he lost weight and how much do you think it would help his offense?

[@whatslaps]

hard to say. the obvious answer is that it couldn't hurt, but I really don't know.

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

Luka needs that weight to post up anyone specifically smaller guards. He also had a great all around defensive year before he got injured right before the playoffs and you can tell it just got too much that he had to take painkiller injections before each game, he needed to conserve energy more than ever too to facilitate and score but so he had to rely on team defense but Boston was just too good. If Dallas had faced a team like the 2023 heat and not a superteam they would’ve won but they lost so the narrative shifted again and just blame it all on Lukas defense when his literal teammates couldn’t make shots to save their lives and choked!

[@VOLTAGE604]

Slaps is BACK

[@whatslaps]

tag team back again.

[@MikodaLancaster]

Kenny Lofton on my KZbin Recommended 😍

[@whatslaps]

I had to sneak him in the thumbnail.

[@ThaddeusFord065]

yo goat do u reckon the spurs are gonna be good with the floor general on the roster?

[@whatslaps]

I think so. Even if he doesn't play that much.

[@saberridereren]

hey man great channel, thank you very much for these videos with a considerate, informative, funny and fun narrative. i love your stuff. I really like Luka's game, and i thought about him using his mass as a tool in his game, but he chooses fat over muscle maybe because he wants less strains and more flexibility and less lactic build up. On the other hand even a few kgs of weight can make former injuries feel worse especially on your knees or ankles, also your balance will be harder to maintain even ever so slightly which can lead to injury when your muscles no longer listen to your commands and you are tired. I agree %100 that how you look has nothing to do with how you perform. what do you think?

[@whatslaps]

I think it'd be really interesting to learn about NBA players who hurt their game by getting more muscular. I've heard that about AD and I know Myles Turner transformed his boyd, but it had no effect on his game.

[@kenyoungmartin2525]

kurt rambis

[@InnocuousInes-pe8mk]

Honestly they're not fat. Fat is a different league. although jared sullinger made me question that belief

[@whatslaps]

yeah, it snuck up on him. Keep a scale in your bathroom.

[@uchennanwogu2142]

Luka Magic

[@whatslaps]

facts

[@richborn6700]

You cant be a hoopah, and have a foopah

[@whatslaps]

put it on a t-shirt

[@ZackieDookie]

Jeffery dahmer?

[@whatslaps]

or George Kittle?

[@stump4522]

Fat Albery: Hey, Hey, Hey

[@whatslaps]

Bill Cosby walking into his court hearing: Hey, Hey, Hey

[@rootintootinpootin880]

*cough cough* Zion *cough* Williamson

[@whatslaps]

hope that cough clears up, player. ;)

[@DominickSalvato]

LeBron has to be the last great basketball player. I can’t see any of these superstars in this area getting five or more championships.

[@whatslaps]

If LeBron gains 20lbs of pure body fat, it will take him to the next level. 6 rings easy.

[@DominickSalvato]

@@whatslaps 😂😂

[@mathew4239]

8:50 hes tall

[@whatslaps]

very tall

[@mathew4239]

Then why did you say he wasn’t tall. I just want to understand what you meant

[@lizard_man6947]

do a video on parody in the league

[@whatslaps]

What is the title? ;)

[@lizard_man6947]

@@whatslaps Is NBA parody good for the league?

[@therealgmoneyd]

Great title man definitely clickable

[@whatslaps]

I'll do anything for the clicks

[@therealgmoneyd]

@@whatslaps I respect that keep doing your thing man. I hope you succeed

[@Kirubhas_Shankar]

Do you think that Luka can be less of a cone in defence if he drops some pounds or is it purely a willingness/skill issue? However, will it cost his post game to drop considerably? My uninformed take is that everyone's going towards the Boston archetype and hence being a defensive liability is too expensive. Also video idea: Has the NBA been/Is the NBA a copycat league?

[@whatslaps]

I think Luka has the ability to be a great defender if he made it important to him. I'll consider the video Idea, I just need a "sexy" title.

[@michael922]

Depends on your height though

[@whatslaps]

facts

[@michael922]

@@whatslaps I think Zion is overweight but he is naturally big. Same thing with Joel Embiid but he’s 7’2

[@michaelpapich2356]

0:31

[@whatslaps]

WHat'd I say? Don't make me watch my own video again.

[@A_Baguette_]

"the bodyshaming worked" is such a terrible way to put it.

[@whatslaps]

what would you expect from an mf like me?

[@jtbaby69]

corrnnddoooogggg

[@whatslaps]

now you're speaking my language

[@kevincampbell3865]

Skinny Luka did be going crazy in preseason tho ...

[@whatslaps]

he needs to get to his real madrid weight.

[@JERWINIVANCORBETA]

@@whatslaps Luka needs that weight to post up anyone specifically smaller guards. He also had a great all around defensive year before he got injured right before the playoffs and you can tell it just got too much that he had to take painkiller injections before each game, he needed to conserve energy more than ever too to facilitate and score but so he had to rely on team defense but Boston was just too good. If Dallas had faced a team like the 2023 heat and not a superteam they would’ve won but they lost so the narrative shifted again and just blame it all on Lukas defense when his literal teammates couldn’t make shots to save their lives and choked!

[@chrismartin3197]

Can a hooper be too skinny?

[@whatslaps]

Oh yeah, bones Hyland is way too skinny.

[@matthewdtheoriginalg6806]

Louis Williams and Jordan Crawford were terrible defenders due their builds

[@DanielTaylor-tz1rf]

I like you and your videos but you're so liberal it hurts.

[@whatslaps]

haha, how so?

[@pringlescan81]

Your channel is phat

[@whatslaps]

💋

[@michaelcadieux]

chuck liked oliver bc it reminded him of san antonio women

[@whatslaps]

Dumps like a truck

[@jeffgumawid7554]

Hell yeah. Victoria definitely a secret down there 😂

[@LouisWontShutup]

On the Barkley note. Good friends ridicule you when you do or say something stupid. Bad friends fake positivity which hurts us in the long run.

[@whatslaps]

totally. you know what your friends intentions are.

[@THEEJoeSmith]

No they’re moving 70-94 feet every 24 seconds at worst you don’t wanna weigh over 260 Also they jump and do random stops and your knees can’t handle the weight frfr

[@whatslaps]

that's true. I should have included something about Zion's game being problematic for his weight.

[@Teagod77]

Im 320 6'5 was 250 when I played in HS. Recently joined a men's league in an effort to get in shape. Played 5 games and my knee were on fire had minutes restriction the rest of the season lol

[@THEEJoeSmith]

@@Teagod77 how do you join men’s leagues? I just graduated and I still wanna hoop

[@Teagod77]

@jamesjohnson1167 depends on where you live. Check local gyms community centers just call up and ask about them.

[@RukoDamo]

Did the Warriors get nothing out of trading Poole?

[@whatslaps]

I don't even remember. They got CP3 for a year and now a little cleared cap space

[@konzza]

​@@whatslaps I think Wizards also threw in a couple of dudes as salary fillers

[@leojuro]

@@konzza Warriors receive: Chris Paul Wizards receive: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Jordan Poole Ryan Rollins 2027 second-round pick 2030 first-round pick (top 20 protected) Cash considerations

[@inaki6404]

I do not think Luka is fat. He just isn’t super ripped and his body type is misleading (like Jokic, Barkley or Shaq back in the day). His defensive problems are not cause by his physique. That said, I do think he will need to lose a few pounds in the future to prolongue his career and preserve his feet and knees.

[@whatslaps]

My concern is that he continues to gain weight.

[@XandateOfHeaven]

Being a healthy weight is obviously important to maintaining endurance and decreasing your risk of injury. However, I think we sometimes underestimate the guys who look out of shape. Part of the problem is their weight becomes the only focus of criticism, when Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons choke they're chokers, but if Zion or Harden choke then we blame it on their weight, and we can ignore other factors that are holding them back.

[@whatslaps]

Ultimately body fat can be a tell if you're not focused on your work. It doesn't necessarily matter, but it can indicate laziness in the case of athletes. I deserve a trophy for my diplomacy.

[@TopHotBoxer]

ur invited to my wedding whatslappington

[@whatslaps]

only if I can give a speech

[@TopHotBoxer]

@@whatslaps plz do, i don’t like the spotlight

[@YRLCarlos]

ZION WILLIAMSON

[@whatslaps]

FOR SURE

[@z0zef]

And I quote "I saw a Belly".

[@whatslaps]

I think culturally we see a man with a belly as weak. It's messed up.

[@Romanus-]

@@whatslapsI can’t tell if you’re joking or not

[@tooner7215]

Have you ever done a video on like nba players and whether they should use their “platform”? Feel like that might be interesting to talk about since it’s an election year

[@whatslaps]

Hmm... I have not actually. I think it's a good video idea. I'm reluctant to get into anything political, it's just not my thing but I appreciate the suggestion and will stew on it.

[@pdr_127]

Isnt phobia spelled with ph

[@whatslaps]

sure is. 😳

[@coolguy5425]

looking cute my guy :3

[@whatslaps]

😊

[@henken__sensei5820]

Yes, but can they sustain their high level of play

[@whatslaps]

depends their play style is my conclusion.

[@dillonthompson4584]

kenny lofton actual is reported to have lost more than 30 pounds this offseason! im hoping he can clear way for some pt

[@whatslaps]

He's lost a lot, but I think he needs to lose 20 more and he'll be snatched.

[@dillonthompson4584]

@@whatslaps i agree, i’m just also happy to see him taking the steps these past few off seasons in particular to get into peak condition. makes me think he will get there, you know?

[@PekMekz]

You so underrated 😭

[@whatslaps]

I feel like my rating is appropriate now. 10k a video ain't bad.

[@norgenius5648]

Skinnier Luka is what we deserve!

[@norgenius5648]

Not like very skinny of course. But if he lose some pounds he will definitely have more stamina

[@whatslaps]

Skinny like harden in the bubble would be good.

[@jasonhill3848]

Could you make a video talking about undersized power forwards?

[@whatslaps]

What's the title?

[@chrismartin3197]

Also, in one clip you say “Oliver Miller” when you’re actually talking about Zion.

[@whatslaps]

I know. I was switching tenses like crazy.

[@balance4141]

Back from vaca, catching up. Dag Mr Miller was a big fella. I guess good on him for being able to make it to the league and even be productive as he was. Too bad there was probably wasted potential because of lack of discipline. Zion is an interesting example of that kind of treatment “working”. The expectations and accountability concept makes sense, and apparently he was willing and able to take what was being given, accept it, and use it to change for the better. Luka and Z-Bo definitely show how non-terminator types can still make you eat their metaphorical dust. Interesting takes on this subject. Thanks again for doing what you do broski.

[@whatslaps]

Hope the vacation was rad, brother. I'm wondering Zion is on Ozempic. I feel like a lot of these dudes are zemped up. I'm curious to see if we see a lot of the big dudes in the league start to look like Tyler Durden. I should have included something about how Shaq used his poundage to his advantage.

[@alberto25lol]

I know you recently made a video about nba coaches but could you make a video about team front offices (gms, owners, etc.) maybe title it “what do they even do???” Like the dj Khalid meme.

[@whatslaps]

I should do that. I made one over a year ago, but I'm due for new one.

[@DWonYT]

Can we talk about the newest wave of second generation players coming in? I am always interested why it works out for some like Devin booker or Kobe but not others like Scottie pippen jr or John Stockton’s son. Bronny is an interesting current example

[@whatslaps]

This has been suggested before. I'm curious too. I have a theory.

[@bigjared8946]

Shawn Kemp. Wizards MJ. Bryant Reeves. Kevin Duckworth (rip). Post-Magic Shaq...just imagine what he would have done if he hadn't swelled nearly 100 pounds. Oliver Miller. Robert Traylor. Just to name a few.

[@whatslaps]

Cavs Kemp was thick through the trunk.

[@bigjared8946]

@@whatslaps I'm still in awe of the fact he was cokehead at that time and still managed to get embarrassingly fat.

[@SamReader-n1n]

Love your videos and have been watching for the longest time and never new you posted on KZbin

[@whatslaps]

glad you fond the channel, man!

[@alex77195]

it is always okay to make fun of someone for their weight

[@whatslaps]

Straight from the Bible

[@facts2676]

Lmao

[@DiegoGonzalez-hl1sw]

Kenny lofton is my favorite! I hope he does well

[@whatslaps]

I know. so much skill.

[@KB8Killa]

I bet Zach Randolph could bench like 450. Dude was so strong.

[@whatslaps]

tough as hell too

[@disispeter]

When u get a chance gimme a big3 break down and why they not as successful as they should be and why nba is playing apart in it… that would be a good topic, couple ice cube interviews out there detailing everything

[@whatslaps]

Maybe. Do you really think other people are interested though?

[@disispeter]

@@whatslaps u have good talking points & takes, u should be able to bring all the girls to the yard

[@LouisWontShutup]

Commenting for algorithm. It’s been awesome to see you grow. Bless up 🙏

[@whatslaps]

may the algo bless

[@PlayingWithWilson]

Can an athlete be out of shape 😂 not if you want to be an athlete at the top of their game

[@whatslaps]

😂

[@PlayingWithWilson]

@@whatslaps sorry I forgot sumo wrestlers, they are the exception

[@balance4141]

Thanks!

[@whatslaps]

❤️

[@Meauxluv]

No

[@whatslaps]

Agreed

[@christophergoode3421]

The David roddy (whatever) clip is so funny. You are my new nba analyst you are so cool and fair my friend

[@whatslaps]

thanks man! You wouldn't believe how many gifs there are of NBA players dancing uncomfortably.

[@PowderHeight]

In what way is it nicer to call somebody obese than to call them fat 🤔🤔🤔

[@whatslaps]

Imagine a doctor telling a patient they're fat. It'd be weird right?

[@fesc9731]

Great video, great week

[@fesc9731]

I also feel a worry for Zion is that he will be like Embiid, human joints aren’t meant to withstand thousands of pounds of pressure from jumping and landing the way a basketball player moves

[@whatslaps]

exactly. a normal guy with a normal job that looks like ZIon is totally healthy. A guy that jumps for a living at 300lbs is going to destroy himself.

[@MarquisdeSuave]

If you really want to talk about heavier players look no further than John Williams (Hot Plate, not Hot Rod). Guy came into the NBA as a 6-8 do everything style of forward. He could dribble, he could pass, he was a good athlete and he had a good feel for the game. He probably would never be an All-Star but he was the type of player coaches from the 80's loved due to his advanced versatility. He had a few decent years but had a major knee injury during his 3 or 4th year in the league and when he came back he was well over 300 lbs. He could still dribble and be effective on the floor but between the knee injury and the weight gain his athleticism was gone. Hed play through his contract and bounce around the NBA as well as foreign leagues but the John Williams who once had so much potential had eaten himself out of the league.

[@whatslaps]

dang. I gotta look into this guy. good tip

[@jkmusingss]

We need more players like Z-Bo. Tough as hell, but silky smooth skills as well.

[@whatslaps]

you had me at silky smooth