Mavericks fans are noticing a concerning Anthony Davis development

Dallas Mavericks fans are taking note of one Anthony Davis photo from the team's training camp that's currently making rounds on social media. In the picture, Davis appears heavier compared to last season, with at least one unconfirmed report that he's put on additional pounds.

Fans are now speculating that he may be entering this season at a heavier-than-ideal weight. We know that Davis also underwent an eye surgery to repair a detached retina over the summer, which may mean he wasn't able to get as much on-court work in as he would have otherwise.

This of course calls back to previous conversations concerning fitness from when Luka Doncic was a member of the Mavericks. No one has forgotten the criticisms of number 77, and the claims that he was frequently out of shape. Now, those concerns seem to be shifting toward Davis as he enters his first full season in Dallas. 

Given AD's age and his injury history, any sign of added bulk or issues with conditioning is naturally going to open up questions about how durable he will be in the long term with this team. 

Davis appears heavier in viral training camp photo

Extra weight, especially for a big man, can have a plethora of negative effects if not addressed properly. At 32 years old and with 13 seasons under his belt at the professional level, Davis' body has a good amount of miles on it, and carrying extra pounds could lead to injuries, or at least reduce effectiveness over the course of a season. 

Carrying extra pounds can exacerbate stress on the joints, cause soft tissue injuries, and slow recovery from existing injuries. Playing at a heavier weight can also increase the need for recovery time between games, and lower a player's overall cardiovascular endurance. If Davis has indeed put on weight, there could very well be good reason for it given his offseason procedure. But that doesn't mean fans aren't still going to be concerned. 

With this suspicion that Davis could be headed into the season with extra pounds on him, both fans and media are likely going to scrutinize exactly how he looks, his movements, and overall performance. Any signs of sluggishness or lack of burst are naturally going to be attributed to this observation from training camp. 

If Davis has indeed gained more weight over the offseason, it adds another layer of uncertainty to a Mavericks team already facing increased expectations. For now, fans are left hoping that what looks like a concern in the opening days of training camp won't become a true long-term issue.