Player development in professional sports.

Last summer I watched 5 of the top 20 draft picks in last years NBA draft workout before an open (invite only) run at UCLA’s Men’s Gym. As I watched these highly acclaimed future millionaires stumble on basic footwork drills and other 5th grade level fundamentals I found myself puzzled that these 19-21 year olds could in one year be playing against such greats as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James. For a short minute as I watched, I felt as if I had a shot at that level considering my fundamental skills were there. That feeling lasted for as long as it took for me to see my reflection in the gym door window. My current figure looks more like a linebacker as opposed to a lean and quick shooting guard.

After the workout I spoke with the coach who was putting them through the drills. I told him that I couldn’t believe that those guys couldn’t get through such simple drills. He laughed in agreement and said, “That’s why I have a job.” I guess he was right. My point was that I felt that if this guys job was teaching basic fundamentals then he should be teaching 5th and 6th graders. Not NBA lottery draft picks. The NBA is certainly not at a lack for talent but the closer you look at the teams that don’t make it into or don’t make it far in the post-season, you see that there are many simple things that they don’t do well. I am still amazed that some of these guys can make it that far without having certain fundamentals mastered.

As a college basketball analyst, shooting and skills coach and camp director I feel like I have seen the game deteriorate in many ways and  thrive in others. I can not imagine how good the NBA could be if the first three years of rookie’s career wasn’t wasted on developing the basic fundamentals.

My point…player development should be done in Elementary, Middle, High School and College. Until then, we’ll continue to see some sloppy yet sometimes amazing play in professional basketball. I guess this leads me to my next discussion: Coaches vs Teachers and the lack of good teachers of the game amongst the coaching ranks.