Dipping down the scales, that is. Both superstars are playing an NBA version of NBC’s The Biggest Loser this summer, shedding pounds to play a new style of basketball come fall. You wouldn’t think a change would be in order–both James and Anthony have been in the top five in NBA scoring for years running. But the elite players are always looking for an edge–and the trend right now is favoring slender sinew over weighty power. It’s a long season, for one, and carrying ten fewer pounds every night should make a difference come the playoffs. The weight loss may also add a whisper of speed to already lightning first steps–speed that will make girth unnecessary. If they can’t catch you, they can’t hit you.
We earlier thought LeBron’s weight loss might be an homage to 70s superstar George “The Ice Man” Gervin, who was as tall as James but about 210 pounds soaking wet. Now Reggie Miller–of more recent super-slim superstar vintage–tells TMZ that skinny is the new strong. Miller thinks LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are doing exactly the right thing in getting trim–it’ll prolong their careers and make them better right away, too.
