The Golden State Warriors made a big-for-big trade earlier this summer, giving up Damian Jones for a younger Omari Spellman, despite the risks of his weight becoming an obstacle for his contributions. Head coach Steve Kerr is optimistic about his potential role in the team, but argues Spellman must be disciplined with his eating regimen in order to thrive within the system.
“It looks like he’s moving well,” Kerr told Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “I hope (he’s in game shape). I think that’s the area where he’s gotta really be disciplined. He’s just one of those kids who is a big, strong guy, athletic. It’s rare to find guys that size who move as well as Omari does.
“So the challenge becomes, ‘Can you be disciplined enough to keep your weight at a comfortable spot where you can maintain your strength and explosiveness and ability to recover?’ That’s hard as a young player, trying to figure that out. So we’ll rely heavily on our training staff and veterans and we’ll really challenge Omari. It’ll be a focus.”
Besides an excellent training staff, the Warriors newcomer will have Draymond Green to rely on, who has struggled with his share of weight issues in the past coming out of Michigan State, and as recently as last season. Green infamously had a March date planned to start his diet, trimming down roughly 30 pounds and tuning right into postseason shape — turning into one of his best.
If Spellman can find it in him to commit to that regimen, he will have plenty of encouragement from the Warriors' vets to stay true to that commitment and reap the fruits that come from it.
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