Basketball Evolution | LeBron James and JJ Redick | Mind the Game

Mind the Game: Full Episodes
3 Apr 202459:48

Summary

TLDRIn this insightful episode of 'Mind the Game,' LeBron James and JJ Redick delve into the evolution of spacing in the NBA, discussing its impact on gameplay and strategies. They reflect on their personal experiences with team dynamics, the significance of role players, and the adjustments needed for success. The conversation highlights the importance of adaptability and the collective goal of winning championships, emphasizing the value of each player's contribution to the team's overall performance.

Takeaways

  • 🏀 The evolution of spacing in the NBA has significantly impacted the game, with teams focusing on spreading the floor to create more offensive opportunities.
  • 📈 The importance of role players and their contribution to the team's success cannot be overstated, as they complement the stars and often make the difference in winning championships.
  • 🤔 The term 'super team' is somewhat of a misnomer, as even with a 'big three,' a team needs well-performing role players to be truly successful.
  • 🎯 The concept of 'important' in basketball is often misconstrued, as the best player is usually the most important, but every role is crucial for the team's overall performance.
  • 🔄 The shift in Chris Bosh's role from power forward to center was a pivotal adjustment that unlocked the full potential of the Miami Heat and maximized their offensive capabilities.
  • 🚫 The term 'pressure' is frequently misused in the context of NBA players, as all players, regardless of their stature, put significant pressure on themselves to perform.
  • 📊 The growth mindset of players like Chris Bosh, who willingly adapted his game to benefit the team, is a key factor in achieving success in the league.
  • 🏆 Winning championships is the ultimate goal for NBA players, and understanding how to complement teammates' strengths and weaknesses is vital in reaching that goal.
  • 🎥 The podcast 'Mind the Game' aims to delve deeper into the intricacies of basketball, providing insights and analysis that go beyond the surface-level discourse.
  • 💡 The importance of discipline in shooting and decision-making is highlighted, as it can significantly impact a player's effectiveness and the team's offensive flow.
  • 🌟 The ability to adapt and evolve one's game, as demonstrated by players like LeBron James and Chris Bosh, is a testament to their basketball IQ and commitment to team success.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the term 'floppy' in the context of the basketball play discussed in the script?

    -In the context of the basketball play discussed, 'floppy' refers to a catch and shoot play. It's a simple play where there are two bigs on either side of the lane, the point guard has the ball at the top, and the two wing players are underneath the basket. The shooter can come out from either side, make a play, and shoot.

  • What is the role of the big player like Chris Webber or Vlade Divac in the Corner Splits play?

    -In the Corner Splits play, the big player like Chris Webber or Vlade Divac is positioned in the vicinity of the elbow or high post area. They are involved in split action, which is when two offensive players screen for each other off the ball. They can cut, curl, set a back screen, or a rip screen, creating various offensive options.

  • How did the concept of spacing in the NBA evolve during LeBron James and JJ Redick's careers?

    -The concept of spacing in the NBA evolved significantly during LeBron James and JJ Redick's careers. Initially, teams used two bigs and played more traditional styles. Over time, the league shifted towards more spacing, with all five players spread across the perimeter, leading to the adoption of strategies like spread pick and roll and five out. This change was influenced by teams like the Phoenix Suns and later, the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, which emphasized shooting and movement to create space on the court.

  • What is the term 'short roll' in basketball and its significance?

    -The 'short roll' in basketball refers to the area between the restricted area and the three-point line. It is significant because when the ball is brought into this area, it forces a reaction from the defense. Big men often short roll to either shoot a floater, make a pass to a cutter, or spray out to a man for a three-pointer, making them an integral part of the offensive strategy.

  • How does the 'slot cut' work in basketball and why is it effective?

    -The 'slot cut' is a timed cut made by a player from the slot area (high quadrant or wing) to receive the ball. It is effective because it allows the player to get open for a pass in a position that is difficult for the defense to cover, especially when combined with other actions like pick and roll or dribble penetration.

  • What was the impact of Chris Bosh's move to the power forward ('the five') position in the Miami Heat?

    -Chris Bosh's move to the power forward ('the five') position in the Miami Heat was transformative for the team. It allowed for better spacing on the court and enabled Bosh to become a threat from the corner three-point line, forcing opposing bigs to leave the paint. This change unlocked the offense for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, as it created more room for them to operate and made the team more dynamic overall.

  • How did the addition of Ray Allen and Mike Miller to the Miami Heat affect the team's spacing?

    -The addition of Ray Allen and Mike Miller to the Miami Heat enhanced the team's spacing. Both players were known for their shooting abilities, which meant that defenders had to follow them out to the three-point line, creating more space in the paint and allowing for better ball movement and offensive execution.

  • What is the significance of the 'Mac Truck Lane' strategy implemented by the Miami Heat?

    -The 'Mac Truck Lane' strategy was a specific rule implemented by the Miami Heat during training camp, prohibiting big men from running between the lanes from the first day of camp until game one. This strategy was designed to encourage perimeter play and spacing, as well as to force big men to improve their rebounding and passing skills, which were crucial for the team's offensive system.

  • How did the concept of 'five out' or 'delay' revolutionize the NBA?

    -The concept of 'five out' or 'delay' revolutionized the NBA by changing the traditional offensive approach. Instead of two players running to the blocks, teams now spread out with all five players outside the three-point line. This forced defenses to cover more ground and made it harder for them to help on defense, leading to more open shots and a faster-paced game.

  • What is the importance of role players in the success of a 'super team'?

    -Role players are crucial for the success of a 'super team'. While star players may attract the most attention, it is the role players who complement the stars and fill specific roles that often determine a team's ability to win championships. They contribute in various ways, such as defense, rebounding, and shooting, which are essential for a well-rounded and successful team.

  • How did the discourse around 'pressure' and 'importance' in the NBA affect the players' mindset?

    -The discourse around 'pressure' and 'importance' in the NBA can shape players' mindset in various ways. Players often put immense pressure on themselves to perform at a high level, and the perception of who is the most important player can influence team dynamics. However, it's understood that every player has a role and contributes to the team's success, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective effort over individual accolades.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Introduction and Conversation on Basketball Evolution

The paragraph discusses the evolution of basketball strategies, particularly focusing on spacing in the NBA during the careers of LeBron James and JJ Redick. They delve into past and present strategies such as 'floppy', 'Corner splits', and 'Spread pick and roll', highlighting the changes in gameplay over the years. The conversation also touches on the absence of animation and whiteboards in their current setup, and reviews key basketball concepts from a previous episode.

05:01

🎥 Discussion on Modern NBA Strategies

This section continues the conversation on basketball strategies, with a focus on 'five out' and 'delay' concepts in modern NBA gameplay. The speakers discuss the importance of these strategies and how they have become a staple in today's NBA. They also explain the 'short role' and 'slot cut', emphasizing their significance in contemporary basketball and how they have influenced the way the game is played.

10:01

🤔 Reflecting on Player Potential and Mentorship

The speakers share their insights on identifying potential in young basketball players. They discuss the markers that indicate a player's likelihood of success in the league, such as discipline, work ethic, and the ability to absorb knowledge. The conversation also includes personal anecdotes about their own experiences with coaches and the impact of high school basketball on their careers.

15:03

📚 Learnings from High School Basketball

In this segment, the discussion revolves around the lessons learned from high school basketball and how those experiences translated into their later careers. The speakers talk about the importance of fear and respect for the game, the value of hard work, and the impact of strict coaching on their development as players.

20:04

🌟 Transition from High School to NBA

The speakers compare their transitions from high school to the NBA, discussing the differences in gameplay and the adjustments they had to make. They touch on the challenges of adapting to the physicality and speed of the NBA, as well as the mental shift from a structured high school environment to the professional league. The conversation also includes reflections on their early experiences in the NBA and how they adapted to new positions.

25:04

🏀 Spacing and Strategic Changes in the NBA

This paragraph delves into the changes in spacing and team strategies in the NBA, attributing the shift to influential coaches like Stan Van Gundy. The speakers discuss the impact of having players who can shoot from the perimeter and how it forces defenses to make tough decisions. They also reflect on their experiences playing against different teams and strategies, highlighting the evolution of offensive and defensive play.

30:04

🥇 The Impact of Complementary Players

The speakers emphasize the importance of complementary players in a team's success. They argue that while star players are crucial, it's the role players who truly make a team a 'super team'. The conversation includes personal experiences from their time in Miami and Cleveland, discussing how adding the right role players significantly improved their teams' performances and chances of winning championships.

35:07

🎥 Final Thoughts and Podcast Subscription Encouragement

In the concluding segment, the speakers wrap up their discussion with final thoughts on the importance of a well-rounded team and the role of basketball IQ. They express their passion for the sport and the value of discussing basketball strategy. The speaker also encourages listeners to subscribe to their podcast, 'Mind the Game', and thanks them for their support.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Spacing

In basketball, spacing refers to the strategic positioning of players on the court to optimize offensive opportunities and create open shots. The video discusses the evolution of spacing in the NBA, emphasizing its importance in modern basketball. For instance, Stan Van Gundy's coaching and the addition of players like Rashard Lewis to the Orlando Magic significantly changed the team's spacing strategy, leading to a more effective offense.

💡Corner Splits

Corner splits is an offensive basketball play where the players utilize the corner areas of the court to create scoring opportunities. It involves a high post player passing to a corner player, often leading to a shot or further offensive action. The concept is highlighted in the video as a strategic element that has evolved over time, with teams like the Sacramento Kings using it effectively.

💡Pick and Roll

The pick and roll is a fundamental basketball play in which an offensive player sets a screen (or 'pick') for a teammate with the ball, who then drives towards the basket. The screener can then 'roll' towards the hoop or pop out for a potential shot. The video emphasizes the importance of spacing in executing effective pick and roll plays, and how it has become a staple in modern NBA offenses.

💡Short Roll

The short roll in basketball is a specific type of pick and roll where the screener moves to an area between the three-point line and the restricted area after setting the screen. This action forces the defense to react, creating scoring opportunities for the offensive team. The video highlights the short roll as a critical concept in contemporary NBA offenses, where big men often use it to make plays.

💡Slot Cut

A slot cut in basketball is a timed offensive move where a player makes a cut from the high quadrant (or 'slot') area of the court to receive a pass, often in the context of a pick and roll. This cut is designed to exploit gaps in the defense and create scoring opportunities. The video emphasizes the importance of precise timing and reading defensive reactions in executing a successful slot cut.

💡Five Out

Five out is a basketball strategy where all five players on the offensive team are positioned outside the three-point line. This tactic spreads the defense and creates space for ball handlers to drive to the basket or set up plays. The video discusses how the evolution of the five out strategy has revolutionized the way teams play, with the Miami Heat and Chris Bosh being cited as a key example of its successful implementation.

💡Super Team

A super team in basketball refers to a team composed of multiple star players who have come together to form a dominant squad. The term often implies that such a team should be successful due to the sheer talent of its players. However, the video emphasizes that even with star players, a team must have complementary role players to be truly successful.

💡Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ refers to a player's understanding of the game, including strategy, tactics, and the ability to make smart decisions on the court. High basketball IQ is crucial for players to effectively execute plays and contribute to their team's success. The video highlights the importance of players like Chris Bosh, who demonstrated high basketball IQ by adapting his game to benefit his team.

💡Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and skills can be developed through dedication and hard work. In the context of the video, it refers to players who are willing to learn, adapt, and improve their game to contribute to their team's success. The video emphasizes the importance of this mindset for players to continuously evolve and reach their full potential.

💡Role Players

Role players in basketball are individuals who play significant roles within the team but may not be the primary stars or leading scorers. They contribute to the team's success by fulfilling specific functions or responsibilities, such as defense, rebounding, or shooting. The video stresses the importance of these players in a team's success, as they complement the stars and contribute to the overall performance.

Highlights

The evolution of spacing in the NBA is discussed, with the speakers noting changes from traditional two-big formations to more spaced-out lineups featuring five players outside the three-point line.

LeBron James shares his experience of playing with the Miami Heat and the strategic adjustments they had to make, particularly focusing on Chris Bosh's role and the importance of his ability to adapt.

The concept of 'slot cut' is explained, which is a strategic move used in basketball to create space and opportunities for scoring, highlighting its significance in modern NBA gameplay.

The conversation touches on the importance of role players and how they complement the stars in a team, emphasizing that a successful team dynamic isn't just about having multiple star players.

The speakers discuss the impact of the 'super team' concept in the NBA and how it's not just about堆积顶尖球员 but also about the strategic integration of role players to maximize the team's potential.

LeBron James reflects on his early career, the challenges he faced, and how he had to adjust his game, particularly noting the difference in season length and intensity between high school and the NBA.

The speakers delve into the importance of having a growth mindset in basketball, exemplified by Chris Bosh's willingness to change his game to benefit the team.

The conversation highlights the influence of coaching and player development, especially in shaping young talents and their approach to the game.

The speakers discuss the strategic use of the 'short roll' in basketball, which is a move used to create space and draw reactions from the defense, allowing for various offensive options.

The concept of 'five out delay' is introduced, explaining its role in modern basketball strategy and how it has become a fundamental part of team playbooks.

LeBron James talks about his experience of watching his son's games and how it influences his own approach to basketball, showing the cyclical nature of learning and adapting in the sport.

The speakers discuss the impact of the 'pick and roll' in basketball, highlighting its evolution and the various offensive strategies that can be employed using this fundamental play.

The conversation explores the idea of 'corner splits', a specific offensive strategy that involves precise movements and coordination between players to exploit defensive weaknesses.

The speakers reflect on the importance of discipline and consistency in shooting, noting the difference between athletes who can consistently make shots and those who struggle with their shooting mechanics.

The speakers discuss the challenges of guarding spread pick and roll, a common offensive strategy in the NBA, and the decisions that defenders have to make when facing such plays.

The conversation touches on the influence of analytics and data in modern basketball, with the speakers noting how it has changed the way teams approach player evaluation and game strategy.

Transcripts

00:00

I mean I don't know if it was

00:01

intentional I had so many people like

00:02

whne people text me oh yeah me too DM me

00:05

be like couldn't quite make out I knew I

00:07

knew you were drinking the one rouso

00:09

what was the other one or yeah someone

00:11

called me last uh episode one say said

00:13

he's not he's not going to waste a drop

00:15

of that wine but I pour juice up when I

00:17

oh so I didn't know you want another

00:18

glass I pour juice up and we were

00:20

talking in mid conversation I wiped the

00:22

bottle and like lick my finger it was oh

00:24

yeah he's not wasting a drop with

00:28

that

00:42

welcome back to mind the game with

00:44

LeBron James and me JJ reic this is

00:48

episode three we're going to be talking

00:50

a little bit about the evolution of

00:53

spacing in the NBA during both LeBron's

00:57

career and my career we're also going to

00:59

be talking about the evolution of

01:01

certain positions certain Cuts it's

01:04

going to be a great episode um no we

01:07

have not upgraded to animation no we

01:10

don't have a whiteboard yet the

01:12

Whiteboard was sent to Los Angeles I'm

01:14

recording this in Brooklyn so you're

01:17

stuck with the paper guys a few key

01:20

Concepts I just want to review before we

01:22

get to our conversation just as a review

01:26

from episode one floppy is a catch and

01:29

shoot play

01:30

uh it's very

01:31

simple on either side of the lane

01:34

there's two bigs the point guard has the

01:35

ball up top and the two Wing players are

01:38

underneath the basket the shooter can

01:40

come out either side make a play in the

01:44

context of this

01:46

conversation it's funny because LeBron

01:48

James never runs floppy so in this

01:51

episode we talk about Corner splits

01:53

think the Sacramento Kings with Chris

01:56

Weber and Vlad devach as the passers

01:59

Mike Biby Pia Bobby Jackson Doug

02:02

Christie those guys as the shooters and

02:05

Cutters more recent example uh was Rick

02:08

Adelman when he was in Minnesota in the

02:11

mid

02:12

2010s Kevin Love Kevin Martin Ricky

02:15

Rubio that's what these guys ran a lot

02:18

of corner splits is very simple by the

02:20

way by the way I

02:23

apologize uh a number of people have

02:25

pointed out that the defensive players

02:27

are supposed to be the x's and the

02:30

offensive players are supposed to be the

02:32

Yo's here's the thing I've only had one

02:34

coaching job in my life that is coaching

02:37

8 n and 10 year olds now when you coach

02:40

eight nine and 10 year olds it can be

02:42

very confusing to have X's and O's on

02:46

the court so I decided to draw X's

02:49

because they all thought the O looked

02:50

like a basketball and that confused them

02:53

so for me I draw my offensive players as

02:55

X's all right corner split there is a

02:58

wing player in a corner the ball handler

03:01

brings it up aside in this case we're

03:03

going to bring it up the left side and

03:05

the big I.E Vlad devot Kevin Love Chris

03:09

Weber is somewhere in the vicinity of

03:12

the elbow or high post area uh you can

03:15

occupy the weak side in a number of ways

03:17

have a guy in the corner have a guy high

03:19

you can have a guy in the corner or have

03:21

a guy in the dunker spot because I don't

03:23

love the dunker spot we'll put the other

03:26

guy in the high quadron point guard

03:28

brings it up he would hit the big Chris

03:32

Weber VL debot at the high post he then

03:35

goes into split action as a reminder

03:38

split action is just when two offensive

03:40

players go to screen for each other off

03:43

the ball and again they can cut they can

03:45

curl they can set a back screen or a rip

03:48

screen a rip screen is the same thing as

03:50

a back screen often times again the

03:52

meaning is in the word if I was to say

03:54

I'm going to go set a back screen for

03:56

you where would I screen your defense

04:00

I would screen his back that's the same

04:02

thing as a rip screen so in this case

04:05

this is Paia this is Mike Biby uh Mike

04:09

BBY can go set a down screen for Paia

04:12

Paia has a number of options here he can

04:14

curl to the basket he can back cut he

04:19

can chase the basketball he can come for

04:22

a dribble handoff uh in this case let's

04:24

say Mike Biby sets a great screen page

04:26

it just comes off FL hits him he hits a

04:29

wide open jump that's Corner splits all

04:32

right spread pick and

04:33

roll all that means is there's nobody in

04:36

the dunker spot there's nobody in the

04:38

paint all five players are spread across

04:41

the perimeter um depending on where the

04:45

pick and roll is located let's say it is

04:47

up top the ball handler here you have a

04:49

guy in each Corner um this is a

04:51

right-handed player so we want to go to

04:53

the single side so we'll put this this

04:56

guy in the high quadrant and then the

04:58

screener would then come set a pick and

05:00

roll again everyone is spread out nobody

05:03

is inside the paint the opposite of this

05:04

of course uh would be let's say this guy

05:07

will eliminate him and put him in the

05:10

dunker spot that is no longer a spread

05:13

pick and roll that's just a pick and

05:14

roll five out delay uh again the meaning

05:19

is in the word five out five outside of

05:22

the three-point line five out this is I

05:26

think one of the biggest revolutions EV

05:29

ution in today's

05:31

NBA no longer see two people run to

05:36

either block as you did for a long time

05:40

in the NBA you still see it some in

05:43

college you certainly see it some in

05:45

high school five out is how most NBA

05:48

teams play it's not necessarily a play

05:53

as it is a set in a concept so for the

05:56

purposes of this let's say it's off a

05:58

miss everybody sort of run you get two

06:01

guys in the corner one guy on the wing

06:03

ball handler bringing it up and then the

06:05

trail guy who got the rebound or who

06:07

took it out is running down the center

06:09

of the floor okay within that you can

06:12

get to a number of options you can play

06:14

a step up pick and roll here you can run

06:17

a stagger screen away stagger screen

06:20

again it's in the word two players a

06:22

stagger one screen two screen uh you can

06:26

run away action away action again

06:28

meaning is in the word you go away from

06:30

the basketball you screen away like this

06:34

boom that's DeAndre Jordan screening for

06:37

me that's Brook Lopez screening for Kyle

06:39

corver that's just a way action a lot of

06:43

teams will hit the fivan though at the

06:47

top and then they will get into split

06:53

action delay is just another name for

06:56

five out again because I've got a white

06:59

piece of paper not a whiteboard I can't

07:01

go over every single option out of this

07:04

but this is the essential idea of five

07:08

out or delay okay the short role this is

07:11

one of the most important Concepts in

07:13

today's NBA uh it's a big part of this

07:16

conversation as well uh let's just go

07:18

back to that spread pick and roll okay

07:20

so within that spread pick and roll the

07:23

fan is going to set a screen for the

07:26

ball handler to get to his right hand

07:29

okay okay and let's say the help side is

07:33

here

07:35

here strong

07:37

side strong side all side is there the

07:43

big is up in the pick and roll and the

07:47

guards and the and the defender of the

07:50

point guard is right there as this guy

07:54

comes

07:55

off they put two on the ball the short

07:58

roll

08:00

is essentially the area between call it

08:04

the restricted area and the three-point

08:07

line so at any point in time if you get

08:10

the ball to the fivan in this area that

08:14

forces a reaction from the defense now

08:16

this guy almost always will pull over as

08:19

the low man he's the lowest guy on the

08:22

floor he's the low man that's his

08:23

responsibility to protect the rim this

08:26

guy as we discuss sometimes will drop

08:30

here and he will essentially have

08:33

responsibility on these two guys once

08:35

the ball is in this area this is the

08:37

short roll area anywhere again between

08:40

restricted and the three-point line the

08:43

short roll area is where today's big man

08:47

makes plays a lot of guys are not

08:49

shooting necessarily right here they're

08:51

not short rolling to shoot this shot

08:54

they are short rolling to either shoot a

08:56

floater haa yic to May

09:00

this cut this P pass to this cutter or

09:03

to spray out to this man for a three

09:07

that's the short Roll Another concept we

09:09

talk about is the slot cut just to be

09:12

clear here the slot is another word for

09:14

the high quadrant it's another word for

09:17

the wing uh in a spread pick and roll

09:20

the slot is considered the guy on the

09:22

wing you have the corner the corner and

09:24

the two people in pick and roll so this

09:26

would be the slot right here the slot

09:29

cut is simply a timed cut let's say the

09:33

ball handler turns the corner the big

09:35

rolls the defense reacts it's a Time cut

09:38

out of this slot to get the ball in this

09:42

area paint Rim whatever go dunk the

09:45

basketball now you can also let's say

09:48

you're posting the ball

09:49

here you can have a slot cut out of the

09:52

post a slot cut is just a cut from the

09:54

slot

09:55

area thank you guys again for watching

09:58

for listen listening LeBron and I have

10:01

really enjoyed recording these episodes

10:03

talking basketball and I hope you guys

10:06

have learned something and enjoyed it as

10:08

well appreciate you this is episode

10:10

three of mind the game

10:19

Evolution Cheers Cheers very much enjoy

10:23

the first episode absolutely I'm going

10:25

to ask you a question and I we can edit

10:27

this out if need be this is just I I

10:29

just want to get the conversation

10:30

started this way that's great because we

10:31

were just talking about young

10:34

guys and I felt towards the end of my

10:38

career once I had figured the league out

10:41

and I again figured the league out

10:42

meaning like I had a job you know what I

10:45

mean not like I'm an Allstar um but once

10:48

I figured the league out I felt like I

10:51

could tell within two or three days of

10:54

being around a young guy whether he was

10:56

going to be all right in the league yeah

10:58

do you have that too do you sense that

11:01

yeah absolutely what are the markers for

11:03

you where you say this guy's this guy's

11:05

going to be

11:06

good um coaches and Veterans being able

11:11

to get on

11:13

them and there's no snickering there's

11:18

no back talk there's

11:21

no n all of that it's just almost they

11:25

almost look

11:28

like

11:30

just keep on coming with it because I

11:31

want to see if how much I can I want to

11:33

see how much just keep on keep on

11:35

because I'm absorbing

11:38

everything that's when you know like oh

11:41

he's he's going to be in this league for

11:43

for a long

11:45

time one of the things that I always

11:47

noticed was

11:48

um and I wasn't perfect perfect at this

11:52

when I was like a rookie

11:55

especially there there's an element of

11:58

fear me meaning once we step on the

12:00

court I'm not scared but there's an

12:03

element of fear like I I need to be in

12:06

the training room on time yeah yeah I

12:09

need to do all the lifts yeah that my

12:11

strength coach is telling me to do if my

12:13

PD guy Player Development guy my PD guys

12:16

telling me to be on the court at 10

12:17

o'clock for an 11 o'clock practice that

12:18

guy's there at 9:55 ready to go sure

12:21

it's it's it's like the small stuff yeah

12:24

it's a small stuff it is a small stuff

12:26

uh we are recording this on

12:30

Thursday opening day of the NCAA

12:32

tournament official opening day I do not

12:34

count the play in yeah I don't I don't

12:35

count the play in not because not

12:36

because I've been in the play in a

12:38

couple times now as an NBA player but I

12:39

do not count a play in I don't get it's

12:42

like it's not official because you're

12:44

still playing into the tournament yeah

12:46

um and your high school coach just got a

12:48

big win about an hour ago yes he did

12:51

what what did you learn from

12:53

him oh my

12:55

goodness

12:57

um I think the number one thing that I

13:00

learned from him right

13:02

away

13:04

is how

13:06

to not only approach the

13:09

game but also how to think the game and

13:12

also play at a level that

13:15

was a lot harder and determined than the

13:21

a tournaments that I was playing in

13:23

beforehand um I got to coach Dan br

13:29

my ninth grade year so My First Year at

13:31

high school first of all back to the

13:33

fear

13:34

thing when you go from middle school to

13:36

high school you all already terrified of

13:39

what lies ahead you don't know what to

13:41

expect you know obviously you know in

13:43

Ohio you have six seventh and eth and

13:45

middle school so you have that feeling

13:47

coming out of Elementary going to the

13:48

Middle School from the fifth to sixth

13:49

grade you have that fear older people in

13:52

in the schools and how is it going to

13:54

affect you and things of that nature and

13:55

then you go to the high school and you

13:57

see you know kids with beards and you

14:00

know teachers they just look so much

14:03

more massive you you know and um and I'm

14:07

going to a a coach that is a former

14:11

college basketball coach and you hear

14:14

the stories I mean you know firsthand

14:16

probably or maybe you don't because

14:18

you're great you maybe had have to do

14:20

everything but you know I heard you know

14:23

the stories of like you know 500 am

14:25

wakeups to go run the mile or you know

14:29

this was your high school coach this is

14:32

my high school coach this is my high

14:34

school coach this is my high school

14:35

coach you hear the stories of like you

14:38

know one mistake everyone's going to run

14:41

until the coach gets tired and in my

14:44

head I'm like how in the hell does a

14:46

coach get tired if he's not running so

14:48

you like terrified of all of this you

14:51

know so the one thing back to your

14:53

question that I learned from coach D is

14:56

that um we're going to practice

14:58

Perfection every single day day every

15:00

single day he always used to tell us the

15:03

game uh the practices are going to be

15:05

way freaking harder than the

15:07

Gams and you don't understand that every

15:10

time the coach say get on the

15:11

line that's a universal that's a

15:14

universal word right there or or

15:16

Universal term right there get on the

15:17

line you know that's the last thing you

15:19

want to hear as a basketball player to

15:20

get on the line but he was um he was

15:24

super strict he was super demanding he

15:28

would get in your face call you out of

15:29

your name there were kids whose parents

15:32

used to come to

15:33

practice that he would call them out of

15:35

their names right in front of their

15:37

parents my sophomore

15:40

year my freshman year we win the state

15:43

championship we go 27

15:45

and0 I was MVP of of the

15:49

tournament uh obviously Maverick was our

15:51

captain um my freshman

15:54

year my sophomore year the first

15:57

practice I was

16:00

uh came in as projected number one

16:02

player in the state of Ohio I was

16:04

projected to be All-American as a

16:06

sophomore projected to be Mr basketball

16:09

as a sophomore which had never been done

16:11

in Ohio High School uh

16:14

history and the first practice we had

16:17

our sophomore year after the winning

16:18

state championship I did absolutely

16:19

nothing wrong coming out of football he

16:22

kicked me out of

16:23

practice he kicked me out of practice I

16:26

had no idea why the [ __ ] he kicked me

16:28

out of practice

16:30

and I think he was just setting the tone

16:31

for the season yeah like wherever the

16:34

[ __ ] or wherever you think you

16:36

are yeah I've heard all of this stuff

16:39

about how great you are and things that

16:40

nope I'mma humble your ass right now it

16:43

kicked me out of practice in the last

16:45

thing he said to me when he kick him out

16:46

of practice first day practice he said

16:48

best sophomore in the country my ass I

16:50

love that I love that setting the tone

16:54

right away best sophomore in the country

16:56

my ass and kick me out of practice

16:59

I I actually think I had a healthy level

17:02

of respect so I played varsity as a

17:04

freshman but actually my school middle

17:07

school was sixth through nth grade

17:09

really so I didn't even go to high

17:10

school yet say that again so it was

17:12

sixth through nth grade we didn't have

17:14

space they have space at the high school

17:16

so the year after I left they built a

17:17

second high school they split into two

17:19

they mov down a division that sort of