The Basketball Podcast: EP428 with Chris Carrawell on Duke Basketball

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Chris Carrawell Quotes:

“I think the thing that has stayed consistent, whether it’s in college or the NBA, is size wins . . you think about Steph Curry’s teams, that’s the only team where you can say size-wise they weren’t the biggest team compared to other teams. But I think size wins championships.”

“The analytics of the game has changed what’s a good shot, what’s a bad shot . . when you take a look at the playoffs and when you get into the tournament, I think you throw analytics out the window because you’ve got to be able to create shots against great defenses. And sometimes that great shot might be a 17-footer off the dribble. It’s who you allow take to take those shots that’s important.”

“You put in concepts during the summertime, then when they come back in the fall, you kind of have an idea on the type of style you’re going to play.”

“We’re going to do some basketball shooting every day. But we also implement those other things that’s going to make you look effective in our system . . we teach you how to play off the ball. When you go to the next level, you may not be the best player there. So now, you’ve got to learn how to play off those other guys. That’s where I think our player development has transitioned into another level.”

“How we’re going to set up that angle to screen, how we’re communicating and talking .  Those are the things that we break down in 12-to-15-minute sessions where guys get to learn how to play. And then you kind of build it all together.”

“Relationships are still critical with the roster changing and retention is important as well . . Because if you have guys who understand your system, they can help the guys who are coming into your system. And so we start to try to build that relationship once they sign early and then they get to us in the summer.”

“I would tell young coaches this . . Teach the fundamentals first. Teach how to drive and kick. Teach how to play off two feet. Teach how to shot-fake. Teach good-to-great. This starts with three-on-three where they’ve got to create the advantage and make the read. If you don’t do those drills, you can’t grow in terms of execution. You can’t grow in randomness. You can’t fix it because if you don’t do those things, it won’t work.”

“On the defensive end of the floor, today’s game is can you switch in pick-and-roll defense? Of course, having all five guys on a string, how you zone up off the ball, being in the gaps, but when you break it down and you want to be elite, you’ve got to have a team that can switch, especially 1 through 4. And so, we spent a lot of time with being physical, steering and switching and keeping a guy in front. You still have got to be able to guard the ball and keep guys in front.”

“Make sure that your circle and who you’re listening to is right. If you listen to all these outside voices who are not with you day to day, then you’re going to fail. But if you listen to the people who care about you, who are going to tell you the truth, the coaches who are with you other every day who are going to care for you whether you’re playing well or not, those are people that really matter.”

Chris Carrawell Breakdown:

Chris Carrawell Selected Links from the Podcast: