Caseloads wrote:guys - as a physician, I was thinking about this yesterday. cramps occur due to build up of lactic acid. lactic acid causes the burning feeling when you go hard. better conditioning and endurance leads to ability to defer lactic acid buildup. also eating more proteins (chicken, fish) and anti-oxidants (berries - blueberries especially; green tea and red wine) will help counter the buildup of lactic acid and the associated side effects. Gatorade, or electrolytes, is likely good for Shump too, but frankly, real fruit smoothies are likely his best bet. Until his endurance is elevated, he needs more breaks in between all these energizer bunny marathons. Basically, that's what reserves are for, to spell starters so they can allow the lactic acid to come down, recover and get back in the game. this is not as simple as dehydration. D'antoni thinks just because Shump is a rookie, he does not need breaks, but that is wrong. Everyone needs a breather.

I understand a lot of them tend to be winning coaches, but I frown upon coaches who conduct long punishing 2 hour practices consistently. To me, maybe they know how to win, but they seem to know little about how to deal with athletes. I hope MDA doesn't really feel Shump doesn't need a breather. That would be disturbing, but knowing MDA, I'm sure he's well aware that Shump needs rest just like everyone else.