Put :30 On The Clock: Recent Episodes
Coach Phil
If you're a hooper, welcome home! We get into what it takes to be successful, the joys & pains of the journey and the lessons we learn along the way. We get the work done, but that does not stop us from enjoying ourselves here and there. A little bit of current events won't hurt either.
"Why have I not closed the gap between me and those I am chasing? Why have I not increased the distance from those who are behind me?" These are the questions asked by a player that isn't making the best progress during the summer. Although it's a terrible realization to have, it's great to notice how wrong things are going so that a change can be made before things get out of hand. What can be done about it? Tune In!
Sometimes the corny message is the right one. It is 100% natural to lack confidence in the biggest moments, but it's also 100% natural to feel like you deserve to be successful AFTER having done the work. So many put in the work and then doubt themselves when it matters most, so in this episode we dive into this issue to understand and overcome it.
After a very long and trying break, we are back! In this episode we dive into the mind and approach of the greatest defender you will ever face... YOU! You might think that you would never do anything to interfere with your own success, but that could not be further from the truth. We get in our own way all of the time, and in this episode, we're gonna understand why and how to defeat ourselves!
Aye aye aye, it's not what you think! Well, it might be. We're definitely NOT telling you what shots you should be taking because we don't know what shots you're good at. What we ARE doing is defining some of the foundational aspects that help us determine what a good shot is and isn't. This is a topic that frustrates both player and coach because they are rarely on the same page, so we showed up to bring everyone together.
The time has come. For most, their minds are on just getting through the preseason motions, waiting for the official tryout week to begin. Not you. Your mindset is far different from everyone else because your goals require it. You can't afford to just fall in line with what everyone else is doing, and that starts with your approach to what's going on right now. Let's lock in, it officially just got real!
"AAU," which is the term most often used when describing club basketball (wrongly as well), has won the praises and curses of many who have experienced it. The reason for that is simple: those who saw it for what it was appreciated all it had to offer. Those who thought that "AAU" would teach them how to play the right way were thoroughly disappointed. This episode is about seeing this part of the basketball culture for what it is and treating it appropriately, so that we can gain the most out of the experience as possible.
We all know that player. The one that seems to put a shot up every single time they touch the ball. For some of us, we are that player! This episode isn't about creating a divide and choosing a side, but instead how to navigate the ball the hog and to see what common ground we share. Like it or not, we share the same uniform, so we will have to learn how to work with each other.
We're outside with this one! August is in the books, so now we have to make the most of September with equal parts effort and strategy. You have an agenda to carry out and the best wat to ensure things go your way is to plan, prepare and execute. For you, the season has already started!
The traditional point guard, in the NBA, may very well disappear once Chris Paul retires, and that's absolutely insane. There are countless people constantly telling you that you have to provide more than the average player just to get any attention and that could not be further from the truth! Chris Paul, at the time of this recording, is 39 years old and found a starting job in the NBA as 6'0" point guard. Yes, he has an incredible resume, but no team would offer him a starting spot based off of what he has already done; they would only offer it because of what they believe he's still capable of. His example proves that there is plenty of room for specified excellence!
A message directed at the high school hooper that still applies to all, this episode covers what you should expect in the month of August. What to prepare for, who to talk to, goals to set and more. You simply cannot wait for tryouts, instead you have to be strategic & intentional with every move you make, and that starts the moment you get back to school. You've put in the work all summer, you've trained for the spot that you want, but this isn't the time to flex. Don't show your hand too soon, during this month, we plot.
Even when we have a trainer, a team and a great support system, there are those of us who struggle to make real, visible improvements. If those players have trouble, then it's clear that those who are not as fortunate can have the same issues as well. In this episode we lay out the clear, easy to understand blueprint to how you can get better, no matter what it is you are trying to develop or sharpen; so if this is you, TUNE IN!
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Both your enemies and allies are quick to tell you what you cannot do. Your enemies wish to attack your morale and confidence. Your allies don't want to see you hurt in case your dreams do not come true. Strangers lean towards negativity, so even they will shoot your dreams down if they somehow get knowledge of what you're up to.
They are all correct. But what if your heroes listened to them? What if your favorite players took their advice? No one would ever stand out from the crowd, and there would be no one to look up to, or chase. Who told you that you are not someone else's hero? On top of that, who said that you cannot AT THE VERY LEAST, do the work that heroes do? If you don't score 40K points in the NBA, does that mean you should give up basketball altogether? Looks crazy when you see it this way, because it is.
There will always be someone demanding that you prove yourself. As long as you're trying, this person will exist. Is that a problem? It shouldn't be. You have to know which ones are worth your effort and which ones aren't worth a moment of your time.
With so many variables to deal with when it comes to being successful, you can't afford to let what you CAN control slip out of your hands. You have more than enough to deal with; the absolute LAST thing you need is to hear from your own conscience & guilt gang up on you until regret lands the final blow. It is that serious.
It is easy to recognize that Tyrese Maxey is having a breakout year, especially with the role he has taken over for his team. What is not easily seen is what it took to be given the opportunity in the first place. You don't get to put up the numbers that he does by being shy; so if you're looking to advance to the next level, you need to take advantage of your chances the way Maxey does his.
If the spotlight is on anyone right now, it's on James Harden. It's almost as if the NBA media forgot to tell us what Wemby had for breakfast because of the fact that the Clippers are still winless since adding The Beard. Things may improve from this point, but AT this point, we need to understand what we are looking at and what we can learn from this very wild situation.
It’s an unspoken line, that separates players who contribute to scoring, from players who are expected to carry the scoring load. Some get this responsibility, most don’t, and it’s not always fair. What comes with being on either side of that line? It might surprise you to find out.
We never take the time to think about how many stars have to align for us, JUST to be able to play the game that we love. It takes a lot of time & commitment to improve & perform, and if we simply just STOP, take a look at everyone and everything supporting us, we'd play a lot harder and a lot better. Basketball is not guaranteed, we have to act like we know that!
If you do what everyone else does, you will have what everyone else has. This is one of the greatest ways to destroy your own opportunity to live out your dreams. Amongst those who understand you will be right at home, but to the overwhelming majority you will look like a maniac, just because you're doing what's required to succeed. Don't let it discourage you, let it ENCOURAGE you that you're not amongst the "normal."
Who you play for, for the most part, is out of your control. Who plays for you, also, is often out of your control. Practices & games allow you to get a real good look at the other person. What happens when you don't like your coaches/ADs, etc.? What happens when you don't like that player that you recruited? How do you handle that? Tune in, that's how!
No one ever dreamed of hitting the game-winner as the 8th player off the bench. We have all imagined ourselves as the best player, taking the biggest shot, under the most pressure. When our basketball journeys began, we went into our games and practices this very same approach, never considering that our superstars are so few in number that we can name them without hesitation. Then we started playing, and reality started to set in... Has the very approach changed since you've started? It's worth diving into.
The moment is something we all have dealt with. It manages to stay away from us for the most part, but when it comes, it strips us down to our true character. You are either prepared for the moment or you are not. How you handle what's going on internally is everything, and even though it really is THAT simple, it has humbled all of us at one point or another. In this episode, we go over what it does to us and how to be bigger than the moment.
It seems like a pretty easy thing to understand: don't get too high when you succeed, don't get too low when you mess up. Simple right? Well, there is a reason why so many hoopers struggle with this. What is often simple is not easy to do, they are two different things. In this episode we dig into why this is a real issue and what you can do to manage your emotions when you do well and when you don't.
You are encouraged to be yourself, all the time, until it really matters. If you want to get ahead, you either agree with what your superiors believe, or you at least keep your beliefs to yourself. There is a price to pay for being your own person and speaking up for yourself. If you ever choose to go against the grain, you need to know what comes with that, both good and bad, ESPECIALLY as a hooper!
You have dreams & goals, both individual and team oriented. The greatest opponents to your dreams and goals are often the people closest to you. Most of the time, the intentions are good, but even the best intentions can have terrible effects on what you are trying to accomplish. How do you protect your ambitions as you climb this basketball ladder?
When it comes to your development as a hooper, you have to be very aware of why you're doing the work that you're doing. Today's players are far more skilled with the basketball than players were in the past, but the IQ of today's player is also WAAAAYYYYYY BELOW that of the player of yesterday. Why is that? It's clear to us, and in this episode we share not only how to see the problem but what you can do about it.
Each and every person that plays competitive basketball has an agenda. It is no secret, but to many it is considered wrong to have personal goals and targets to hit while playing a team game. Even though there is a time to be really selfish (the off-season) we have to keep in mind that this very selfishness is what allows every great player to be great, and every role player to contribute the absolute most towards winning.
Everyone wants to go pro. Everyone wants to say that they get paid to play basketball, to live out their childhood dreams; but we also know that most don't get to live that dream out. For those that do, they get checked when they walk through that door, finding out that their fantasy is far from the reality. Both on and off the court there is a lot you have to consider when it comes to hooping full-time, and it explains why there are so few who can actually do it. The sacrifices do not end just because you signed a contract, they keep coming, so it forces you ask yourself, again, is this really what I want to do?
Most hoopers prefer offense over defense, that isn't a secret. But coaches are always on your neck about how important the other side of the court is. There is a CLEAR disconnect between the coaches and the players, and in this episode that disconnect is exposed & dealt with. It turns out that it's nothing more than a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding that we won't have anymore. EVERYBODY ON THE LINE!
It happens all the time. Roles and responsibilities change based on the circumstances of the team, and you have to be ready to embrace those changes, especially in today's game of "position-less basketball." You may have more added to your plate or have some things taken away, but it will serve you best to be prepared for whatever may come your way.
Being in that zone where you feel like you can't miss a shot, that's a really special place to be. When it happens, as a hooper you try your very best to stay in that zone for as long as you can. Once it's over, it's like waking up from an incredible dream; you're happy that you had it but you're a little upset that it's over. Is there a way you can stay in that state for a longer time, next time? Yes, and in this episode we get into HOW you can do that.
When watching film, hoopers are often told to just see what mistakes they've made so they can make corrections the next time they get on the floor. Without the proper approach to it, though, players have a hard time keeping focused, even though they were given clear instructions on what to do. As usual, we address the APPROACH to watching film so that the exercise is actually something players can look forward to, instead of it being a chore.
There's the obvious answer, and then there's the honest answer. The truth really rests upon who you are on this team and how everyone else conducts themselves. The only wrong answer is the one that ignores the truth, which is whether anyone DESERVES to be trusted. Real conversations lead to real results.
Coach Phil and Taurean get into a wide variety of topics ranging from what players should be spending their time developing, all the way to what they can do to help themselves get recruited, even if the high school coach doesn't help out at all. They also touch on where the game is going and what hoopers can do to get ahead of it to give themselves the best chance to succeed in that changing climate. Add in a few personal experiences and you end up with a side conversation that you do not want to miss!
Hooping with old heads is always cool because you can see that they really were a bucket in their day. They find crafty ways to get it done despite their physical limitations and it begs the question: what can you pull from that? If these people, who get teased for being way past their prime, can still find valuable ways to contribute to a young man's game, there's no telling what stealing their good habits could do for your game.
Do you add new skills to your game? Do you sharpen what you already do well? This is a question that plagues young hoopers far too often, and is ultimately responsible for a lot of the stagnation in their game. Being able to discern and decide where to go next is the real problem to solve, so that's what should have our attention.
You complained about the travels, and the NBA heard you. Executives are making bad decision after bad decision and somehow get paid really well to do it. One final bow is tied on the Deion Sanders situation. Coach Phil and "Bubba" Brown of the "On The Bench Podcast" dug into a few topics of the day and as expected, brought home the reality and the jewels they picked up from the news surrounding their worlds.
It's easy to say that the referees play a major role in every game, but at the same time, for whatever reason, hoopers do not really spend much time considering how they will deal with them. From the greatest of the officials to the absolute worst, we need to understand not only how they call games but who they are as people, because at the end of the day, they are human. Truly understanding that will give us the greatest chance of gaining a favorable whistle, or, at the very least, a fair-called game.
This game is too competitive to rely on what you've already done. You are always competing against someone who wants to prove they are better than you, so the progress can't ever stop. At the same time, we have to be wise with our approach, because "too-much" actually exists. We don't want to burn-out, and we definitely do not want to invite injury, so how to we keep the train going while in-season? As usual, although this episode is for the hoopers, it's for everyone chasing an important goal.
Somebody had to say it. You open your phone, go to social media and you see a highlight of a player BLATANTLY breaking a rule; but because it "fooled" the defender, it resulted in a bucket. It may be one thing to call this behavior out, but it is the fruit of the training done when no one was watching. There is a bigger issue to pay attention to, so we dive into the issue of what's happening when no one is around.
Every hooper faces this challenge on his/her journey to be the best they can be. They run into the competition that is not really here to play a sport, but is in fact playing the game of life. Everyone has a story: a goal they are chasing, an issue they are dealing with, a passion they want to embrace. Whatever it is, you have to deal with it, but more importantly, you have to identify AND EMBRACE the fire that keeps you going. At this point, it's more than just basketball.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we can clearly see the path we are on, and if it leads to the dreams that we have. Whether we become the #1 recruit in the nation, the #1 pick in the draft or if our road leads us elsewhere, we can take so much from this game that will lead us towards multiple lanes of success. This game we love can provide us with an incredible life if we allow it to teach us. We go over a few of those lessons in this episode!
These days, when it comes to Ben Simmons, there is no shortage bad news and mockery thrown in his direction. There is always someone with something negative to say because he is playing well below what we've seen from him in the past. We can't say that it isn't fair, but what often goes ignored is what can be learned from his example, the things we can take from those attacks. The biggest being that people will love you for WHAT you do, not WHO you are. There's more to it, so get on the line with us as we run for this next side conversation
Too many players often talk about how "unfair" it is being on the team because they don't get to do certain things or play certain roles. But the real question is this: do these players actually want the "fairness" that they're asking for? Or, deep down, are they looking to receive the same favoritism that they see their teammates have?
Russell Westbrook. He is getting dragged in the media whether he plays well, plays bad or does not play at all! Marquis, better known as @EditzByQuis on all his social platforms, and Coach get into what is actually happening to Westbrook from a hooper's point of view instead of from a fan's perspective. Be aware of the fact that what is happening to Russ can happen to you. The same media that loves you one day will turn on you the next if it means they can keep the attention of the public, from local to national.
We're using high school as the example, but this applies to everything you aim for going forward. To get what you want, both on and off the court, there is always someone you have to convince or prove yourself to. There is always at least one person you have to sway in your favor, and we believe that taking this approach is the best way to go about earning the trust you seek.
At the top levels, players are identified by one or two attributes that stand out about them. "He's a slasher," or "she's a shooter" are things we are so used to hearing. The best players bring more than one stand-out attribute to their teams, but DO take notice that one is enough to be a pro. Understanding who and what you are as a hooper is the foundation to everything you will experience in this game, both good and bad, so it was only right that we made that the first thing we spoke about on the pod.
Welcome to the show!!! More than just basketball, we are creating a home for hoopers to learn and share the valuable lessons learned on the journey. We are also creating a place for coaches to open up about their side of the experience. We will have a good time over here, that's guaranteed, but we're also going to walk away a little better as players and people every time. Can you tell we're excited? Tap In!