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Jalen Hood-Schifino Discussion: Not The Cam Whitmore Thread ;-)

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by JSM, Jun 22, 2023.

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Kurt can put his tight shorts on and help the team’s practices by teaching the Triangle.

LTLakerFan, Aug 6, 2023

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When Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino was a sophomore at Combine Academy in Lincolnton, N.C., he made what he deemed to be an important decision for both his health and basketball future: He changed his diet.

The then-16-year-old embraced a “plant-forward” diet, eliminating most animal-based products from his daily food intake. Unlike with vegan and vegetarian diets, Hood-Schifino still eats certain animal-based foods, including fish.

Hood-Schifino’s maturity, preparation and discipline – and yes, his diet – were traits the Lakers valued and part of why they selected him with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

“Really carries himself as a pro,” Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said on draft night. “He was just ahead of his time in terms of his diet, training. It shows with his physique, his body. He definitely has Lakers DNA.”

On Tuesday, “National Milkshake Day,” Hood-Schifino partnered with Hart House, a plant-based restaurant chain launched by actor and comedian Kevin Hart in 2022, to serve food to customers, with all of the proceeds being donated to the Assistance League of Los Angeles. Hood-Schifino spoke with The Athletic about the partnership, his offseason, working out at the Lakers’ facility, meeting LeBron James, playing for a contender as a rookie and more.

(Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Why did you partner with Hart House?

I mean, starting off, I actually found Hart House on TikTok. My girlfriend came to visit me. Me being the way I am and the way I eat, I was looking for certain foods and came across Hart House. I came and visited, and it was really good. I probably went like two days in a row, actually. And then I went again, like right before I left for a pre-draft workout. I love the food. The service is great energy, great vibes. So, yeah, I love Hart House. And when I had the opportunity to partner with them, it was pretty much a no-brainer.

Have you met Kevin Hart yet?

Not yet. Not yet.

I’m sure you’ll see him at a Lakers game this season.

Oh, yeah, definitely. Hopefully, hopefully.

So, are you on a plant-based diet?

Yeah, it’s plant-forward. I’ll still do like salmon and fish here and there. But, for the most part, I try to stay pretty strict with it.

And how long has that been going on?

I would say, I cut out like meats in high school, my sophomore year. But I just got strict with it this past year in college.

Talking to the Lakers, they’ve mentioned how impressed they were by how seriously you take your diet.

100 percent.

Have you noticed any changes in your energy or recovery?

Yeah, that was the reason why I wanted to do it. I wanted to try it and see how it felt. Then, after just doing it for a couple of weeks, I started to see a big difference in the way I recover, my energy on the court. So I would definitely say it makes me feel really good.

It’s been about 10 weeks since you were drafted. What has this offseason been like for you?

I mean, honestly, it’s been pretty good. I think just because I’m able to be in the gym right now and finally lock in on the main thing. Obviously, going through the pre-draft process and doing different things, you have a lot of things coming at you business-wise, basketball-wise. So, I think now it’s just about getting better every single day and trying to see improvements.

What’s your average day been like throughout the offseason? What’s your schedule?

Get in there, get my treatment, get in the weight room, hit the court, get my daily vitamins in. Now, we’re starting to have pretty much everyone in there. So, now we’ve been able to compete 3-on-3, 4-on-4, 5-on-5. So, yeah, it’s been great.

How would you assess your summer league performance and experience?

It was a great experience. And I think it was like a great starting point. I got to learn a lot and I feel like every game I got better. Just really, honestly, getting out there and getting comfortable. Playing a different type of game, different types of situations. So, I think, overall, it was pretty good.

Right after you were drafted, you were open about needing to work on your 3-point shooting. How much of an emphasis has that been this summer? And how much progress have you made?

I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress. Being in the gym every day, getting up a lot of reps, working on my footwork, my form, mechanics and everything. Getting everything sharp. That’s definitely been a strong point and something that I’ve been really attacking every day.

Which coaches have you been working closest with at the training facility?

For me, the main guy has been JD (DuBois). I worked a little bit with Phil Handy as well.

There was a video of the two-way guys talking about their first time meeting LeBron. Do you remember your first time meeting him this summer? What was that interaction like?

Yeah, I met him. It was recently, like a couple weeks ago. We were working out. He worked out before me. I was working out right after him, I got on the court and he just came up to me and said, ‘Hi.’ It was the first time meeting each other, so he dapped me up, asked how I was doing and everything, and that was pretty much it really.

What about your relationship with the rest of your teammates? Who have you clicked and bonded with?

I would say all the guys, really. All the guys that’s been in there, all the young guys, all the vets that’s been there, we’ve all been clicking. It’s been great vibes, great energy. I think that’s all you can ask for as a rookie. Especially coming in, going to a situation that you don’t really know too much about, to have vets and coaches that all have one goal in mind, I think it’s all good.

As a rookie, what’s it like coming to a contending team? Some rookies join lottery teams where they probably play a little bit more, but you’re going to have a chance to compete for a championship next year.

Me, myself, I’m a competitor, and I love to win. So, playing for a team that reloaded and has an opportunity to win a title this year, I think that’s great. Like I said, I’m taking it day by day and learning from the guys that are there, the coaching staff, and through experience. I think it’s gonna be a great year, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

What’s your adjustment been like moving to LA? And how does embracing the community with events like this help acclimate you?

Yeah, so far it’s been good. Great vibes. Obviously, I’ve been in the gym working out. But I think just being able to do things like this, connect with the community and do different things like this is something that I’m big on. I’ve always been a guy that loves to give back. I love the community. So, for me to be able to do it this early, I think he’s only gonna get better. I’m gonna be able to do this more and more.
Click to expand...

He's definitely been in contact with Ham based on this borrowed line

It’s been about 10 weeks since you were drafted. What has this offseason been like for you?

I mean, honestly, it’s been pretty good. I think just because I’m able to be in the gym right now and finally lock in on the main thing.
Click to expand...

With as often as Ham uses "keep the main thing the main thing," I doubt that's a coincidence.

Last edited: Sep 13, 2023

JSM, Sep 13, 2023

#262

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lol, he seems like a good guy and a bad interview.

abeer3, Sep 13, 2023

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Has a pretty thick body considering he mainly eats bushes and leaves.

jk

LTLakerFan, Sep 13, 2023

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He’ll be injury prone with that diet

KareemtheGreat33, Sep 13, 2023

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LTLakerFan said: ↑

Has a pretty thick body considering he mainly eats bushes and leaves.

jk
Click to expand...

i mean, gorillas eat a lot of plants, and...you'd rather not mess with them.

abeer3, Sep 13, 2023

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KareemtheGreat33 said: ↑

He’ll be injury prone with that diet
Click to expand...

is that you ocho cinco??

jbiggs, Sep 13, 2023

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LTLakerFan said: ↑

Has a pretty thick body considering he mainly eats bushes and leaves.

jk
Click to expand...

I mainly just eat bushes, neatly trimmed bushes!!

Edited with Spoiler. Keep it family friendly please - TIME

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2023

Wino, Sep 13, 2023

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sirronstuff, Sep 13, 2023

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JHS getting noticed.

Toklat, Oct 4, 2023

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Unfortunately …. so too Wino’s contribution above

LTLakerFan, Oct 4, 2023

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@Wino

KareemtheGreat33, Oct 5, 2023

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I remember that movie

sirronstuff, Oct 5, 2023

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What, I'm getting krap around here for eating vegan!?????

Wino, Oct 7, 2023

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^^^ bringing it back .... ... just whiling away the time waiting for 5:30 and getting amped up about the reports from camp how good JHS is looking. CONSIDERING the dude is 6'6" 215+lbs by now and only 20 years old with a body already capable of banging against Marcus Smart 6'3" 220 .... with a reputation for D and a great handle coming out, no doubt better by now and sweet passing vision and mid range game, no doubt to improve from deep.

Lakers goggles definitely on.

LTLakerFan, Oct 7, 2023

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there were no marcus smart comparisons at draft time, but i can see it.

abeer3, Oct 7, 2023

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Man they to skip on Whitmore for a project sigh.

Thought his defense was going to be a strong point and that GS dude put him in the washer

Pioneer10, Oct 7, 2023

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He showed Low IQ, bad shooting, easily got passed by Podwhiteski and no athleticism. What’s not to love?

KareemtheGreat33, Oct 7, 2023

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he had a rough night in almost all respects. he's got nba size and athleticism, and he's a strong ball handler. but when he gets to the spots, nobody's afraid of what might happen. so far, rightly so.

it was tough watching podziemski look ready to play a legit backup pg role.

abeer3, Oct 7, 2023

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abeer3 said: ↑

he had a rough night in almost all respects. he's got nba size and athleticism, and he's a strong ball handler. but when he gets to the spots, nobody's afraid of what might happen. so far, rightly so.

it was tough watching podziemski look ready to play a legit backup pg role.
Click to expand...

Agree on his size and ball handling but outside of strength I think his athleticism is not notable right now. I just don't see the explosion off the dribble or hops.

I have to see more film like Cade Cunningham whoae not the quickest or most explosive but whose numbers got good by the end of his rookie year. Feel without a jumper it's going to be rough for him. Cunningham and guys Luka use the threat of the post up or step back to force defenders to play too close.

Pioneer10, Oct 7, 2023

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