On the surface, running seems like such an elemental part of basketball, something easily taken for granted – a skill even more basic than dribbling, passing and shooting. Yet for New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca, the 2016 offseason provided an opportunity to examine improving the execution of how he gets up and down the hardwood.
Working with a track specialist, the 7-foot-2, 248-pounder started with the basics, which meant breaking down the mechanics of the science of running and how he could become more efficient.
“With the track coach, our focus was on running better, which is learning how to run again, the proper way,” the native of France said.