John Calipari doesn't think Nerlens Noel's weight is a problem

We already know that John Calipari wants the Cleveland Cavaliers to draft Nerlens Noel with the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. His primary motivation is probably because it helps his resume and his recruiting pitch, but he also seems to really admire Chris Grant and knows that if the Cavs take Noel, it's because they've done their homework and believe in him.

Calipari did another interview in Cleveland recently, this time with Bull & Fox. In the interview (which you should listen to), Calipari commends the Cavs' scouting department and reiterates the fact that Chris Grant has been in Kentucky's practice facilities the most this season. That obviously indicates a good deal of interest on the Cavs' part. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the interview is when Calipari addresses Noel's weight. People have been quite concerned with the fact that the 7-footer weighed in at just 206 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine. Calipari scoffed at the idea that Noel is going to be too skinny, claiming that Noel weighed about 222 pounds during the season. The reason that Noel weighs 206 now is because the doctors advised that he cut down the weight for his ACL surgery rehab. Calipari seems to recognize that Noel will need to put on weight in the NBA, but is confident that he'll be up around 240 pounds soon enough.

Add this to some info that Fear the Sword commenter, somedumbname found and I think any concerns about Nerlens Noel's weight should eased quite a bit.

I just don’t get why people are worried about Noel’s weight if his playing weight was 215-220 as widely reported. All heights were sans shoes, so they are directly comparable:

Nerlens Noel – 206 lbs, 6’10", 19 yo (215-220 playing weight before injury)
Kevin Garnett – 217 lbs, 6’11", 19 yo
Larry Sanders – 217 lbs, 6’10", 21 yo
Marcus Camby – 223 lbs, 6’11", 22 yo
Joakim Noah – 223 lbs, 6’10.5", 22 yo
Chris Bosh – 225 lbs, 6’10.5", 19 yo
Marcin Gortat – 225 lbs, 6’11", 21 yo
Dikembe Mutombo – 228 lbs, 7’1.25", 24 yo
…and the list goes on

So you have a list of solid-to-great players, who no longer get bullied in the paint because gasp! people with nothing to do but lift weights put on weight. And MOST of which already had 2-3 more years of college weight training on them?

Also, looked up the guy we should supposedly trade Noel for, pretty sure that Noel can gain 28 lbs in the next two years to catch up to him:

LaMarcus Aldridge – 234, 6’10", turned 21 about a month after the draft.

I know there are plenty of people who aren't convinced that Nerlens Noel is the right guy to be selected with the #1 pick. Hopefully Calipari's comments, along with the history of young big men, helps people realize that there are reasons to be hesitant about taking Noel, but his weight isn't one of them.