Before their loss to Golden State on Friday night, the Hornets had won four straight since the arrivals of Grant Williams, Vasilije Micic and Tre Mann just before the trade deadline two weeks ago. These numerous changes seem to be paying off, and Steve Clifford can focus on training his latest nugget, Brandon Miller.
Second choice in the last Draft behind Victor Wembanyama, the winger has qualities that we see more and more rarely in young players. “If we work on something the morning of a match, he is able to put it into practice the same evening. He doesn't need to do it 18 times over two weeks to understand what he needs to do,” explains Steve Clifford. “It’s unique for a young player. All the stars I met had this ability. Tracy McGrady was capable of doing that, Kobe too. Brandon has this same ability. »
Too many matches, not enough training…
For Steve Clifford, in addition to the physical qualities of his rookie, it is this playing intelligence that really makes the difference. Regarding the young people arriving in the NBA, the Hornets coach finds them stronger individually than previous generations but they lack basketball knowledge according to him. It thus joins the recent speeches of Doc Rivers or Adam Silver.
“The first thing I look at in a player is his intentions,” he explains. “If a guy doesn't do a delay screen and sprints to get the ball, it's because he's only thinking about offense. Unfortunately, not all NBA players can have the ball in their hands… When you're 15, 16 or 17 years old, you spend an hour and a half with an individual coach to work on your dribbling and your shooting, and that's not necessarily what you're going to need to become a good NBA player. Training in the United States is hitting rock bottom. Young people go through tournaments one after another, they no longer train and they don't have the necessary fundamentals when they arrive in the league. But the most important aspect is their lack of game intelligence. They don't know how to play as a team and they don't understand how to play as a team. To succeed in the NBA, you need that more than anything. »
How can franchises and staff help these young players develop their knowledge of the game?
“The most important factor, in my opinion, is being in the right environment” answers Steve Clifford. “It comes from veterans showing you how to work, how to have a routine, and how to play to win every game. You have to constantly work on your game. Young players are now doing that from a very young age and they arrive with a much more developed offensive palette. You need a routine. You also have to adapt to the context of your team to learn how to win. To me, this is the true definition of player development. »
Bad Draft choices cost coaches their place…
Steve Clifford then ends his tirade on training by targeting the functioning of franchises in the NBA.
“Young players no longer have any knowledge of basketball,” he repeats. “And that's why we see young players who can average 17 points and 8 rebounds per game, while their teams suck when they're on the court. The NBA is full of these kinds of players and we make them play, because they were drafted in 6th, 7th, or 8th position… We make them play instead of admitting our mistakes. When they are 23, they are no longer in the league because they bring nothing to their team. But two coaches will have been fired and will have paid the price. This is the reality we are in. »
Comments collected in San Francisco.
