Taylor and MKG Finding Their Way

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Link: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/13/4163584/taylor-improves-with-extra-pounds.html

 

Taylor's Struggles' With Weight

 

LAS VEGAS Charlotte Bobcats guard-forward Jeff Taylor had a weight problem. Just not the kind most of us experience.

 

After traveling around the country last spring for predraft workouts, he wasn’t himself. He had dropped about 15 pounds from his playing weight at Vanderbilt and he never gained it back during his rookie season.

 

“Last year I felt weak and never had a chance to build back up,” Taylor said at a practice Saturday on UNLV’s campus. “During the season it’s hard to start gaining weight.”

 

Last season the 6-foot-7 Taylor was down to 208 pounds. Now he’s back up to 222, and he’s performing better. In the Bobcats’ opening game of the Las Vegas summer league Friday, Taylor scored 24 points off 9-of-17 shooting, including a spectacular second-half dunk against the San Antonio Spurs.

 

“I wanted to be in one place a lot this summer and I wanted to work with Matt (Friia), our strength coach,” Taylor said. “So every morning I’ve been lifting and then going up on the court to do individual stuff with (assistant) coach (Stephen) Silas.

 

“He didn’t do anything in that game he’s not capable of doing every night,” Clifford said. “I think he has the size, the defensive ability and enough offense to be an every-night rotation player.”

 

MKG Growing Confident In His Shot

 

There were times during his rookie season when Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was so unhappy with his jump shot he would pass up open looks. Friday he took six jumpers, making two of four from 2-point range and missing two 3s.

 

Kidd-Gilchrist, a small forward, attempted just nine 3-pointers last season, making two. He has been working with assistant coach Mark Price on the various mechanical flaws in his shot.

 

“I feel a lot more confident in myself and in my jump shot,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “(Price) has been a huge help. Every day and every night we’re in the gym working on reps. I think it’s really getting there.”

[cdandi1]

Interesting tidbit on Taylor, I love that kid's game.  Much respect for guys who play with passion on both ends of the floor

[GamecockSmitty4]

It's so crazy reading about the work ethic of all these guys on this team. Biz having to be told to get out of the gym. MKG working day and night on his shot. Taylor working constantly in the gym. Kemba living and breathing Bball. Now we add Zeller who seems to have a great work ethic as well. And every one of these guys hustles like crazy during the game and is willing to throw their body on the floor for a loose ball.

[Panthro]

It's a team of Litte Giants.... just need our Icebox

[cdandi1]

It's so crazy reading about the work ethic of all these guys on this team. Biz having to be told to get out of the gym. MKG working day and night on his shot. Taylor working constantly in the gym. Kemba living and breathing Bball. Now we add Zeller who seems to have a great work ethic as well. And every one of these guys hustles like crazy during the game and is willing to throw their body on the floor for a loose ball.

That my friend is a culture change happening before our eyes.  I would even include Henderson even though he wasn't a Cho pick and is still unsigned. 

[Captain Morgan]

if we lose Hendo, I'd love for Taylor to get a shot at starting to see what he can do.

[Montie_0123]

if we lose Hendo, I'd love for Taylor to get a shot at starting to see what he can do.

I agree with you if Hendo walks I think we should give Taylor a shot because he's playing like he wants that spot if it become available.