Brackins Looks To Add Punch To Sixers Lineup

Craig Brackins has dutifully been working on all aspects of his game - his handle, perimeter shooting, and his uppercut, just to name a few.

Entering his second year with the Sixers, Brackins has been a regular working out at the Sixers practice facility since the season ended. He's also taken up boxing, and we're not talking about rebound drills.

Twice a week, he goes to a gym in Philadelphia and puts on the boxing gloves to adminster and take a few hits. Yet he's not doing it to improve his stock as an enforcer. Brackins feels it helps his agility, among other things.

"It's good for hand-eye, footwork and peripheral vision because have to watch out for punches so it’s being aware, cautious," he said on Monday after he worked out at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "I think it can help on defense, understanding where your man is and where the help is coming from and being more aware."

Having punches thrown at you is bound to help awareness. Brackins is 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, but the question begged to be asked - has he been beaten up yet?

"No, not really," he said. "If I am messing up or if my hands are downhill he will swing a punch so its fun. It's all fun."