The Basketball Podcast: EP223 with Nick Friedman on NBA Role Players and Offensive Concepts

Nick Friedman Coach Quotes:

“The majority of these guys that come into the NBA have been alpha males pretty much their entire lives . . but it’s fair to say pretty much 95% of these dudes have to do the sacrificial things very well in order to ultimately develop into creative handlers and playmakers and high volume scorers . . and it’s my job to help them accelerate that learning curve.”

“Accepting the corner running, the spatial awareness, the offensive rebounding, the being into the ball consistently on the defensive end, just doing those things, you buy more trust from your head coach. If you accept that, as not being a threat to your ego, you grow.”

“The ones that make it don’t have a problem with watching others who have succeeded doing the exact same thing. And that’s what I’ve been impressed with the list of guys that I named . . They all have a willingness to learn and watch.”

“I think the common denominator with guys who have gotten paid in those roles is that they win. And in order to win, you have to accept that sacrificial mentality.”

“Are you relentlessly attacking the offensive glass? Are you making your presence felt there? And then does that translate to getting back on the defensive end of transition?”

“A huge goal of mine is to help these guys accept playmaking as a highly valued skill.”

“As coaches, we’re always forcing the idea of selflessness . . but when all of your workouts are based on just your own individual skill of scoring the ball, you’re not working on the mindset of making the right read. So, it’s definitely something that has to be worked on every day.”

“If you want to play organized, high-paced basketball, it’s not going to look pretty every step of the way. You’re going to have to teach it; you’re going to have to accept that flawed aspect, that ugly aspect of it. But when it fully comes together and guys start to own the system, that’s when it’s really beautiful.”

“Personally I like strong-side dunker spacing because it opens more nail attacks and we’re looking to hit the nail and play from there to open up snap drives or slot drives and the opposite wing.”

“[The 5 position] is such a fun position to coach and teach . . when your fives really figure it out and understand that rim running or running and spacing is such a highly valued skill that doesn’t come up in the box score. It’s massively sacrificial and gets paid.”

“Everybody’s personal growth and development revolves around the idea of truth. And if you can’t accept the truth, and you can’t understand that correction is not criticism, you’re going to have a very hard time succeeding at the highest level of basketball or any industry that you’re in.”

“Whenever I’m critical or telling the truth, it’s coming from a place of genuinely just wanting to see you succeed. And if you live your life that way, things become a lot more stress-free.”

Nick Friedman Breakdown:

1:00 – Ego Adjustment
3:00 – Mindset of a Role Player
5:00 – Long-Term Career Success
8:30 – Developing Passing
10:37 – 11:16 – JUST PLAY AD
12:00 – Making Decisions
15:00 – Hitting The Pocket
17:00 – Zoom
19:30 – Player Directed
21:00 – Neutral
24:00 – Screening with Guards
28:00 – Evaluating Rim Runners
31:00 – Dunker Spot
31:41 – 32:24 – DR. DISH AD
34:00 – Cross Match Ups
37:00 – Better Spacing Structure
39:00 – Value of Role Player
41:00 – Mentors

Nick Friedman Links from the Podcast:

Gary Payton

Danuel House

P.J. Dozier

Jalen McDaniels

Caleb Martin

Cody Martin

Jerami Grant

Cody Toppert

Chad Iske

James Borrego

Mason Plumlee

Miles Bridges

P.J. Washington

Terry Rozier

Montrezl Harrell

Matt Brase

Jay Triano