Maxiell Loses Weight, Gains Quickness

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AUBURN HILLS -- As an undersized power forward who is (generously listed) as being 6 feet 7, Jason Maxiell knows the chances of him getting taller are slim.

So what did he do this summer?

He got slimmer -- and quicker, in addition to maintaining the upper body strength that makes him one of the strongest players on the Detroit Pistons' roster.

Less weight and more quickness have also given the second-year forward a more optimistic outlook about cracking a deep Pistons rotation, even with the void left by Ben Wallace's departure to Chicago.

"This could be a breakout season for me," Maxiell said. "I'm going to try and take advantage of it. Ben left the door open, and I'm going to try and walk through it."

Maxiell, who lost about 20 pounds since the end of last season, said the biggest change he made this summer was in the types of foods he ate. He also cut back on certain, uh, beverages, too.

"No more beer; just red wine," said Maxiell, who now weighs about 240 pounds. "And no red meat, just chicken and fish. You have to do what you have to do."

Maxiell's commitment to bettering himself physically has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, especially Rasheed Wallace, who, maybe more than any other Piston, used to tease him about his girth.

"He needs it," said Wallace, referring to Maxiell losing the weight. "We're going to depend on him this year. Once I'm not in the game, or Dice (Antonio McDyess) is not in the game, we're going to need him to get those buckets and get those rebounds and play defense. This year, he'll be an (important) part of the team." </div>

Source