The Basketball Podcast

Guest: Ryan Saunders, Denver Nuggets Assistant CoachDenver Nuggets assistant coach Ryan Saunders shares insights on NBA defensive concepts and techniques.In 2009, Ryan Saunders began coaching in the NBA, becoming an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. Starting in 2014, he was an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.On January 6, 2019, Ryan Saunders was promoted to interim head coach of the Timberwolves, also becoming the youngest head coach in the NBA for the 2018–19 season On January 8, Saunders got his first win in his debut as head coach when the Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, and became the youngest head coach to win in his debut since 1978. At age 33, Saunders became the youngest head coach in the league, despite having over 10 years of NBA experience under his belt 1.After his tenure with the Timberwolves, his next stop was with the Denver Nuggets who hired Saunders as an assistant coach under Michael Malone. Saunders won an NBA championship in 2023 when the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.Breakdown1:00 - Made this Team Special3:00 - Unseen Hours5:00 - Player vs Coach Led8:00 - Challenges on One/Two Players11:00 - Assistant to Head Coach Transition13:00 - Collaboration with Coach Malone16:00 - Head Coaching Opportunity18:30 - Accountability on Defense21:00 - Preferred Mechanism25:30 - Personnel28:00 - To Be Better Defensively31:00 - Running Zone vs Modern Offense34:00 - Certain Matchups37:00 - Newcomers41:00 - Triple Switches43:00 - Zone concept of BumpingRyan Saunders’ Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_SaundersTwitter: https://twitter.com/Ryno_SaundersBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Dr. Corey Yeager and NBA coach JD DuBoisDr. Corey Yeager and NBA coach JD DuBois share insights on improving mental health.Dr. Corey Yeager is currently a sports and entertainment life coach and psychotherapist. His most recently worked as a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons. Dr. Yeager has been instrumental in helping NBA players with their mental health and has been on a mission to normalize the conversation around mental health in sports. Dr. Yeager believes that mental health is critical to team success and works with coaches to create a supportive environment for players’ mental health. He has also worked with young basketball players and beginners who need an advantage. Dr. Yeager has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and is working within the merging of his two passions, athletics, and therapy.Jarred “JD” DuBois is an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. He joined the Lakers in 2022, working under head coach Darvin Ham. Prior to joining the Lakers, DuBois served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons from 2018 to 2022 and worked with the Toronto Raptors in player development during the 2017-18 season. DuBois is known for his work in improving mental health resources for athletes. He believes that mental health is a critical component of team success and has been on a mission to normalize the conversation around mental health in sportsBreakdown1:00 - Working Together3:00 - Sports and Entertainment Life Coach7:30 - NBA Mental Health9:30 - Concept of Suffer14:00 - Counter Concept of Suffer17:00 - Proactive Conversations19:00 - Long-Term Problem23:00 - Liaison26:41 - 27:43 - Hoopsalytics Ad 327:43 - Embedded31:30 - Bring Conscious Awareness36:30 - Creating a Space39:30 - Mental Wellness Problem47:00 - Actionable Practice Ways50:30 - Psychological Safety54:00 - ConclusionDr. Corey Yeager and NBA coach JD DuBois’ Bio:Dr. Corey YeagerBio: https://doctorcoreyyeager.com/biographyTwitter: https://twitter.com/drcoreyyeagerJD DuBoisBio: https://nbacoaches.com/jarred-jd-dubois/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdsportsacademy/Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Marko Barać, Mega Basket Head CoachMega Basket head coach Marko Barać shares insights on KYP, defensive strategies and 5-on-5 is the only competitive drill.Marko Barać is a Serbian professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach of Mega Basket of the ABA League.He started his coaching career in 2009 as an assistant coach in the junior selections of the Superfund and then in Crvena Zvezda, and then in 2013 he became the head coach of the Italian team Orton, after which he was an assistant coach in the Polish team Charny Slupsk. From 2016 to 2018, he was the head coach of Torlak, and then for one season the coach of Mladost Zemun, while for the previous three years, he was the assistant coach in Igokea.On several occasions, he has been the assistant coach of the youth national teams of Serbia, which won bronze at the U18 European Championship in 2012, silver at the U19 World Cup in 2013, and bronze at the U20 Eurobasket in 2014.Breakdown1:00 - Summer League4:00 - Know Your Personnel7:00 - PR and DHL Guy13:00 - Strip Serving Coaching16:30 - Tactics with the Veteran Team22:00 - Taking Away Pass25:07 - 26:09 - Hoopsalytics AD 331:00 - Value of Triple Switch35:30 - Seven Point Game40:00 - Competetive Drill44:00 - Rules of the Drill48:00 - Break Instincts50:00 - Dribble Handoffs52:00 - Long and Short Close-Outs56:00 - Serbian Basketball59:00 - ConclusionMarko Barać’s Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marko_Bara%C4%87Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBaraccBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Ganiyat Adeduntan, Colgate University Head CoachColgate University head coach Ganiyat Adeduntan shares insights on her defend, rebound, and champion plays philosophy and the joys in the journey.In her second season Ganiyat Adeduntan orchestrated one of the greatest single-season improvements in program history. Colgate increased its win total by 10 games in 2022-23, finishing 16-14 overall and 10-8 in Patriot League play to secure the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League tournament.One of the greatest factors contributing to last season's success was Adeduntan's defense, which ranked ninth nationally in three-point field goal percentage defense (25.6) and 12th in scoring defense (54.6) – good enough to lead the Patriot League in both categories. Colgate finished over .500 against Patriot League opponents for the third time since 2000.Breakdown1:00 - Colgate Women's Basketball5:00 - Relationship with Players8:30 - Practice Plan10:00 - Player Development Philosophy20:00 - Building Offense and Defense24:00 - Identity26:46 - 27:48 - Hoopalytics Ad 328:00 - Absolutes31:00 - Defensive Rebounding33:00 - Box Out35:00 - Crash Effort37:30 - Advantage Disadvantages40:00 - Scout Specific43:00 - Hiring Good People46:00 - Extra Challenge48:00 - Process of Reaching OutGaniyat Adeduntan’s Bio:Bio: https://colgateathletics.com/staff-directory/ganiyat-adeduntan/621Twitter: https://twitter.com/NurseGMOBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Greg Neeley, Piedmont University Head Coach Piedmont University head coach Greg Neeley shares insights on the 2-1-2 zone and the power of an adaptable defense.Greg Neeley finished his 10th season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Piedmont University. Six of those ten seasons have seen the Lions finish .500 or better making him the winningest coach in Piedmont men’s basketball history.Greg Neeley is also the creator of the immersionvideos.com product Unlock the Power of An Adaptable Defense: The 2-1-2 Pressure Zone Defense Mastery Series available at basketballzonedefense.comBreakdown1:00 - Defensive System and Deep Diving5:00 - Teaching Zone One7:30 - Rebuild10:00 - Good Programs14:00 - Analytics/Statistics17:00 - Against Different Styles20:00 - Developing Zone24:00 - Giving Structure25:48 - 26:50 - Hoopsalytics Ad 327:00 - Structured Freedom30:00 - Adaptability31:30 - Player Satisfaction34:00 - Pace of Play on Offense36:30 - Zone Defense Mastery Series39:00 - Adaptable42:30 - Constraint45:00 - Man to Man Defense48:00 - Basketball Immersion50:30 - Successful Career in Coaching53:00 - ConclusionGreg Neeley’s Bio:Bio: https://piedmontlions.com/staff-directory/greg-neeley/84Website:  https://immersionvideos.com/Basketball Zone Defense Website: https://basketballzonedefense.com/Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Josh King, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg Head CoachMHP Riesen Ludwigsburg head coach Josh King shares insights on full-court pressing and playing in the open court.Josh King led Ludwigsburg to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as an assistant coach. In his first season as head coach, he led the team to a record of 22-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play in 2022-23Josh King began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Vassar College, where he spent two seasons. He then moved on to become an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for two seasons before joining the staff at the University of South Florida for three seasons. King switched to professional basketball and became John Patrick 's assistant coach at the German Bundesliga club MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2018 . He contributed to the team becoming German runners-up in 2020 and finishing the Bundesliga season 2020-21 in first place in the main round. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, King took up the post of head coach at Czech Premier League side USK Prague. With Prague he reached the quarterfinals of the Czech Championship in 2022. After a season in the Czech Republic, King returned to Ludwigsburg, became the new head coach of the Bundesliga club and thus succeeded Patrick.Breakdown1:00 - Starting Practice Late5:00 - Positionless6:00 - Recruiting for Professional Level8:00 - Pressing Style9:00 - Playing in Open Court11:00 - Coaching in Europe12:30 - Pressing System17:00 - Trapping and Forcing in Middle20:00 - 8-Seconds21:00 - Defensive Pressing System22:48 - 23:51 - Hoopsalytics Ad 324:00 - Mistakes Make During Press25:00 - Weak Hand Rule28:00 - Fly By Concept29:30 - Mindset31:00 - Communication Cues33:00 - Analytics for Press35:00 - Fouling and FIBA World Cup37:00 - Pressing and Transition Defense39:00 - Toughest to Defend41:00 - Ball Screen Coverage45:00 - Advices for CoachesJosh King’s Bio:Bio: https://basketball.eurobasket.com/coach/Josh-King/23995Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachJoshKingBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Kevin Burleson, Rio Grande NBA G-League Head CoachRio Grande NBA G-League head coach Kevin Burleson shares insights on buy-in, staying present, and NBA coaching.Burleson is currently the head coach of Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. He was previously assistant coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020 and served as the Timberwolves Head Coach during the 2022 NBA Summer League. Burleson has also worked as an assistant coach for Iowa Wolves and Memphis Grizzlies1.Burleson comes from a prolific sporting family. Kevin and Nate Burleson are one of only two sets of siblings in which one played in the NBA and one in the NFL. Kevin played college basketball for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and began his professional career in the German basketball league. He played for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2005–06.Breakdown1:00 - Long Time Assistant Coach5:00 - Player Development7:00 - Winning11:00 - Science Experiment for Basketball13:30 - Buying Another Role16:00 - Winning Culture19:00 - Culture Piece24:00 - Offensive Spacing Concepts2:05 - 25:08 - Hoopsalytics Ad 327:30 - Holding a Spot32:00 - Creating Space34:00 - Managing Time37:00 - Maintaining Pace40:00 - Analytics45:00 - Balancing Player Development46:30 - Keep Growing49:00 - ConclusionKevin Burleson’s Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_BurlesonTwitter: https://twitter.com/Kevin_B12Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

DeLisha Milton-Jones, a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time Olympic gold medalist, shares insights on keeping it real, drop coverage, and relatability. Topics include shaping coaching philosophy, communication in defense, empowering players with defensive information, and adapting to changing times in basketball. She also emphasizes the importance of building relationships and engaging with players on a personal level.

Washington State head coach Kyle Smith shares insights on his 'Nerdball' system and the use of data and analytics in basketball. Topics include the Washington State rebuild, removing biases, mindset training, improvement, and the idea of turning threes. The podcast also explores evaluating players, the challenge of holding players accountable, data-driven team and player development, and the significance of the early season in college basketball.

Guest: Jerrod Calhoun, Youngstown State Head CoachYoungstown State head coach Jerrod Calhoun joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on unlocking offensive efficiency and success.Jerrod Calhoun, who owns an 11-year career record of 220-134, has 96 wins at Youngstown State and owns a 76-52 record over the last four seasons, has elevated the Penguins’ basketball program to unprecedented success including the 2023 Horizon regular season championship, the first coach in program history to do so, and for which he was named 2023 Horizon Coach of the Year.Jerrod Calhoun began his coaching career as an assistant at Walsh University from 2004 to 2006. He then joined Bob Huggins' staff at West Virginia, where he spent five seasons and helped the Mountaineers reach four NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four appearance in 2010.In 2012, Jerrod Calhoun became the head coach at D2 Fairmont State where he turned them into a national powerhouse, winning four conference titles and reaching the national championship game in 2017. He compiled a record of 124-38 in five seasons at Fairmont State, earning three conference Coach of the Year honors and two national Coach of the Year awards.Breakdown1:00 - Introduction2:30 - Offense and Fight For Spacing6:00 - Spain and Staff9:00 - Adding and Subtracting11:00 - Removing Ego and Attacking Matchups17:00 - Shallow and Slide Cuts20:00 - Partnership with Fairmount State22:00 - Combining Structures23:00 - Concept of Leveraging28:00 - Developing Shooting 28:32 - 29:35 - Hoopsalytics AD 329:36 - Portals34:00 - Diversity of Zones37:00 - Youngstown State Practice40:00 - Culture Clips41:30 - Eliminating Ending45:00 - Multiple Ball Screens49:00 - Mentorship Program53:00 - Bob Huggins55:00 - ConclusionJerrod Calhoun’s Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerrod_CalhounTwitter: https://twitter.com/YSUCoachCalhounBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com