http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/health/6727455.html Chuck Hayes is the kind of tough, scrappy guy Houstonians love to cheer. By most people's standards the 26-year-old California native is a tall, brawny guy. But by NBA standards he's on the small side: 6-6 and 230 or so pounds. So he trains to be strong and fast, and he plays with heart and soul. The Rockets center — and father of a toddler — took time recently to talk about the value of grilled veggies, giving up sodas and the restorative power of a good nap. Q: You look pretty tall to me, but when you're out on the court you're actually one of the smaller guys. What do you do physically to make yourself stronger and faster than your opponents? A: I run as much as I can and do agility work for foot speed. A lot of people think I lift a lot of weights but I don't. I don't want to be bulky. Q: How much running? A: Maybe a mile or so. In the off season I start by wearing a weight vest and just run short jogs. Then I take the vest off and try to sprint. I do it for endurance. Q: And what do you do for agility? A: We work out with cones. Like those orange cones you see in driving tests. (Laughs.) It's a lot of stop-and-go and quick movement and we do it with resistance bands. Q: You say you don't lift much weight, but your biceps are well defined. What do you do for that kind of muscle definition? A: They're just like that and have been since I was in high school. We do some lifting. I work out with 20-pound kettle bells and do band work for muscle strength and core. Q: Does all this training translate to anything else in your life? Do you have any sports hobbies? A: Well, I just picked up golf, but I'm pretty bad. In fact, I played 9 holes the other day. Q: How'd you play? A: I threw my scorecard away. Q: What do you do to prevent injuries? A: I've had a few things: a left shoulder that's easily dislocated, I hyperextended my knee and rolled my ankle a couple of times. So I work on balance. As for my shoulder, I've been told that will never go away. It's been like that since I was 15 and played high school football. Q: Who or what motivates you to work this hard? A: My son and my family. My son, Dorian, is 2 ½ now and he finally gets it, that Daddy plays basketball, so that's neat. And we've gone through so much in my upbringing. My parents sacrificed so much for me and to watch me play. My dad used to go around to yard sales to find football cleats for me to play in. One of my younger brothers moved to Houston to be near me; he's a student at Texas Southern University. Q: You've changed your eating habits dramatically recently. What happened? A: I eat grilled everything. This past summer I changed my diet on the advice of our strength coach. I cut out potatoes. I cut out sodas and now drink water. Oh, and I eat sushi now. Q: Does your diet change in the off season? A: Not really, but I don't eat as late as I do in season. After games it can be 9 or 10 o'clock. What I eat depends on what's open and what's on the menu. I like to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and get a grilled chicken sandwich. They're getting to know me there. Q: What advice would you give to young athletes who want to be you and think that steroids and supplements are the way to do it? A: I'd tell them that everything — supplements, over-the-counter and prescription — has side effects. It may make you stronger right away, but in the long run it will take a toll on your body. Q: Any other advice for Chronicle readers? A: Yes, get plenty of sleep. I used to need eight hours, but now that I have a toddler I have to get by on six and a half to seven. But I do take naps. An hour to hour-and-a-half nap and I'm good.
way to go Chuck! cutting down sodas is harder than it sounds. /2 months soda free right here. // missing dr. pepper like crazy.
Never knew that he had a shoulder injury in the past,which still affects him to this day. He is nothing short of a hero.
There have been a few times during games in the past where someone will hit it wrong and dislocate it. He hasn't missed any games because of it, though he has missed court time.
Chuck Hayes needs to be given credit for his improved offense this year. he cuts well, finds the open spots on the courts, and now makes people pay for leaving him alone. He actually has taken bigs off the dribble and scored on them multiple times this year. If he can continue this improvement on offense he could be dynamite for Houston off the bench (when Yao comes back).
Chuck showed tonight what he needs to work into his game. The pump fake. The great thing about bigtime front court scorers is that they usually aren't very good defensively. Probably only 3 or 4 that can play in both worlds. Jefferson tonight was proof positive. Just like most big men, going for the block too much. As part of Chuck's defense, he should be getting them into foul trouble with some nice pump fakes. I don't care if he shoots 25% from the line. Getting the other player in foul trouble will play into their offensive game. They will be playing a little more careful when driving or going for rebounds. Chuck should still convert with the quick layup off a pass, but the team needs to get him 3 or 4 solid post posessions in the first half to see if he can get his man into foul trouble.
chuck is the best. he is a beast. if i could choose 1 nba player to meet, it would be chuck. seriously.
The couple who next to me at the home games are season ticket holders and got their picture with him last yr and said he is so nice.
i appreciate the spirit of playing basketball shown by chuck, keep up, next millions-contract is waiting for you :grin:
Thanks for the link, OP. It was a nice read and good to hear he's got a few things tying him to this town like his little brother at TSU. It'd be great to have him retire here. This made me laugh so loud I'm surprised I didn't wake up my roommate. =P
chuck is a hero,live version for an ugly ducking change into a beautiful swan. he has spent so much time in training and keep improving himself especially the offensive ability this season.he played with heart and soul really on the courts,inspiring his teammates,good leadship since elected as co-capitain keep going chuckwagon
