You're not looking at the big picture. Those guys did get hype as did guys like Kevin, Shawn, Dorian, Flex and others. Some of them lived up to it, most didn't (at least, consistently). Zac isn't on the same league as guys like Peter Putnam or Ken Jones, which is why the fuss.
As far as conditioning is concerned, of course it's a big deal, but it's the one thing that changes from contest to contest. A guy who didn't peak for one show can win the next show simply because he dialed in properly this time. Once he does a few pro shows, he'll get better at it.
Shawn Ray and Dex Jackson disagree with you. they tend to peak all the time.
Shawn, Kev, Dorian, Flex, all lived up to the hype, because, they had that certain...they had it well before they turned pro.
I give Zach his props, no he's no Peter (the gift) Putnam, nor Kamali, he is better, miles ahead better than them. And has a better back than our current Mr. O (a piss poor back). But, I see know fuss, when i break him down, he just doesn't have "it". He may develop it, like Mike Francios did ( but he still that that "it" factor), or he may just go by the way side. I play the and and see. Because these guys get built up, and start to believe their own hype and get sloppy, and then boom! 20 threads on Getbig on about how shitty Zach is. It's always the same. Two yrs ago I told some guys that they would end up being disappointed in Wolf...he would fizzle out or he wouldn't live up to his hype...he hasn't really.
