A key, yet rarely discussed,* issue of the lockout is players staying in shape. Without a set start date, it’s easy for players to postpone their pre-training camp health push. For some, this short notice might not leave enough time to recover.
By one account, that doesn’t apply to Pistons rookie Vernon Macklin. Ben Gordon, via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, on Macklin:
""He’s a big body," Gordon said. "He looks strong, he looks athletic and he looks in shape."
Macklin worked out with Andre Iguodala and Matt Barnes in Los Angeles earlier in the month, according to Fenech.
*Unless you’re talking to Patrick, who loves predicting who will be the Shawn Kemp of this lockout.