» Category : Ganon Baker Thoughts

Candid Interview with Lebron James

Posted by Ganon Baker at 10:09 am

Candid Interview with Lebron James at the 2010 Lebron James Skill Academy

Every year I have a chance to work the Lebron James Skill Academy in Akron, OH.  We get a chance to work out the top 80 players in the country in H.S., and have a chance to spend some time with Lebron on and off the court.  Below is an interview he did with Jay Bilas of ESPN this year

Question 1

Jay:  “How did life change when you became famous?”

Lebron: “As a person it did not change me.  I’m still the same person now, as I was when I was broke.  I have just worked harder because there is so much higher expectations I put on myself.  I have gotten wiser and made better decisions.”
Question 2

Jay: “Where do you think you get your determination from?”

Lebron: “From my mother.  She had me when she was 16, she had to grow up fast.  I can remember from the time I was 9-12 or 13, it would seem like we would move every month to two months.  We would sometimes have 1 meal a day.  I’d come home from school and we would have no heat.  Sometimes there would be roaches in the cookie boxes.  But we moved forward.  We survived.  She would not let us fail.”

Question 3:

Jay: “What do you know now, that you wish you would have known back in H.S.?”

Lebron: “Well to have more fun.  Now we had fun in H.S. and I would like to think we cherished every moment and enjoyed the process.  When you get to the NBA its still fun but it’s a JOB.  Its competitive, there is a lot more at stake, a lot more distractions and sometimes I think “Did I embrace H.S.?”  Also, I wish I would have studied business more.  The stock market, economics, stuff like that.  But who does that in HS, you know?  All I wanted to do was play ball, hang out with friends, and talk tot girls.  My word to you young guys is be SAFE with your money, save it, invest it, don’t be careless with it.  So many NBA guys waste their money.
Question 4:

Jay: “Who is your financial trustee?”

Lebron: “Warren Buffett is my financial advisor.  His last advice he gave me about money is to trust my gut.  9 times out of 10 your first thought is your correct thought and right action.  The more you think about something the more you will begin to cloud your judgment.”
Question 5:

Jay: “We all know Jay Z is one of your boys, what’s the best advice he gave you?”

Lebron: “Was to keep working and don’t look back.  He grew up in Marcy projects, poor like me.  No one gave him a chance to move forward.  I can do anything!”

Question 6:

Jay: “What does working hard mean to you?”

Lebron: “Well what does that mean? Work hard at what?  So many coaches say “we got to work hard” but they don’t specify… to me its work hard on defense, fulfill your potential as a player.  Whatever you are doing at the moment do it with all the energy you got.”

Question 7:

Jay: “What is the typical offseason?”

Lebron: “I take 2 months of from the court.  During those 2 months I might cross train to stay in shape, Pilates, off road biking, yoga…  I then go into my summer workout with lifting, stretching, skill work, playing pick-up Monday-Friday.  I might go 3-4 hours a day.
Question 8:

Jay:  “What do you enjoy doing off the court?”

Lebron:  “I love to play softball, xbox 360, and NBA 2k 2010.  I won a championship with Oklahoma City thunder and now I’m the Lakers trying to win.  I also gamble but I don’t recommend it to young people (ha ha)
Question 9:

Jay: “What are your future goals?”

Lebron: “Simply to get better and win a championship.”
Question 10:

Jay: “What is your game day routine?”

Lebron: “I go to shoot around 10-11am.  Then I come back to nap for 4 hours 12pm-4pm.  I eat a light meal of rice and chicken or fish at 4pm.  I then head to the gym at 5:30 for an 8pm game.”

Keep Reading…

Annual Coaching Skill Development Class a Success

Posted by Ganon Baker at 1:24 pm

We just finished up our 2nd annual GBB Coaching Class. We had 53 coaches from 19 different states. We also had Australia, Canada, and Puerto Rico represented.  What an honor it was to be associated with such a hungry group of coaches. These are good people doing great things in their community.

We ran into a snag.  Our gyms AC broke so for Friday (4 hours) and Sat (7 hours) we had zero air- conditioning. Thus my zealous butt got severe heat exhaustion and dehydration. I had to be transported to the hospital for treatment and multiple IVs.  Tyler Relph, our new pro staff trainer, stepped in for 3 hours Sat afternoon, and did a great job!! By 7 pm Saturday I was back at it! You know what I always say, “Pain is weakness leaving the body!”

I think the highlight of the weekend was our session Sunday morning. We had an alternate gym, matter of fact; it was the same gym we used for the Nike Vince Carter Skills academy 2 years ago. We had coaches demonstrating on the court. Mike Kennedy and Terry Drake proved they still got Game.  They were destroying the HS girls out there.  

Overall thought it was an unbelievable weekend.  Next year, we will have two clinics, one in May in Orlando and one in August in Dallas. I enjoyed the passion and genuine love for the game our coaches had.  I think everyone involved left inspired, re-energized and feeling rejuvenated, ready for their next workout!!

Where is Lebron Going?? My Thoughts

Posted by Ganon Baker at 10:47 am

Hi All,

Just wanted to let everyone out there that follows Ganon Baker Basketball know that I have an opinion on where Lebron James is going.  I don’t comment much on drama off the court like this and this has nothing to do with instruction, inspiration, or motivation, but I thought it would be fun to give my opinion.  I did spend the last 4 days at the Lebron James skill academy and I have come up with my own opinion.

Keep Reading…

WHAT PLAYERS NEED TO GET TO THEIR NEXT LEVEL – The Killer Instinct!!

Posted by Ganon Baker at 7:09 pm

I hear so many coaches tell their players they have to be meaner in practice. They have to be more selfish in their play (not with the ball in regards to shots but on defense, attacking on offense). Some coaches even tell their players they have to be a prick!  I think what they really mean is listed below:

Keep Reading…

A True All American

Posted by Angie Diamond at 6:49 pm

I worked out Harrison Barnes recently in Ames, Iowa.  As a player he is very skilled, has a great understanding of the game, and really loves basketball.  Of course I found some flaws, and things he needs to work on but more importantly he represents everything I could ever want my future son to have when he turns 18.  This guy “Gets it!”

Keep Reading…

Grassroots Refs Need to Get Better Too – Part 2

Posted by Angie Diamond at 6:08 pm

My other issue is that when a coach wants to respectfully talk to a ref, then the refs should give that coach 10-20 seconds of time.  A good referee response should be “Okay Coach, I will look at it closer next time” instead of “That’s enough coach, I don’t want to T you, but I will!”  Some referees do not even acknowledge the coach; in my opinion some referees have a Napoleon Complex, little man syndrome, inferiority complex, or whatever you want to label it as.  You can tell that they feel very awkward talking to the coaches about their call. Some referees would rather just go to the other side of the court, wait till the coach/player blows up, and then T-up everyone.  Then the ref feels empowered and shows everyone who is in control.  This only makes things worse.  The result of refs, parents, and coaches that can’t get along are damaging to the kids and the game.  Many games are now attended by multiple police officers to solve these confrontations, this is not good.  If refs could learn the game and do research on what is being taught, this will improve their IQ.  If they could talk to the coach or even better listen and nod their heads during situations in games if the coach has issues, there would be a little more continuity and less frustration in games.  The games are about the kids.

We teach NBA skills to elementary players, it is appropriate, the kids love them, and it motivates them.  If a kid does an NBA move congratulate them don’t suffocate their talent and potential by making the wrong call.

Grassroots Refs Need to Get Better Too – Part 3

Posted by Angie Diamond at 8:41 am

Believe me this is a big issue.  I was at a clinic the other night with HS players and I demonstrated the step through finish off 2 feet then 1 foot and a few of them said refs call it a walk when you go off 1 foot.  So let me reiterate again, IT’S NOT A WALK.

When you take your moving foot across your body and then lift your pivot foot, you can shoot a layup legally as long as you release the ball before your foot comes down!!!

Refs it’s your job to know. Some coaches don’t get paid, neither do the players. We have to know the rules, why can’t you.  Players are getting penalized for correct footwork… girls especially and it’s not right!!  Heaven knows a girl couldn’t do a Euro step, so she must have traveled.  Refs need to get educated!!  I’ve also heard Ref’s say things like, Ganon, the game is just so fast now, and I’m trained to watch the defender when they shake and bake it’s hard to tell.  Well then DON’T call it if you have question, any doubt! Don’t stop the game when the crowd, the coach, and the player made a hell of a move!  It’s not good for the game!  If you have doubts, then go to clinics and LEARN!!!

I respect the position, I wouldn’t do it, every time you make a call half the folks think you screwed up, but like all really good people in any position… it’s the communicators, the folks that can relate to others in a respectful manner that are good at what they do.  Like everyone else in this great game, the refs have to KEEP SWEATING Too!!

Grassroots Refs Need to Get Better Too – Part 1

Posted by Ganon Baker at 6:08 pm

Refereeing is the hardest job to perform in sports especially in the rec, AAU, and HS levels.  I am here today to support referees and I know how hard it is to perform efficiently in this environment.  However they must improve, they must understand the rules of the game, and realize how important communication is with the coach

I have viewed many AAU and HS games and sometimes referees are flat out wrong.  For example a EURO Step or a side step lay-up is not a walk.  A EURO Step (Dwayne Wade, Raja Rondo, Manu Ginobili) is not a walk at any level, if the player takes two steps as they are picking up the basketball, a ref may say “well you are only allowed one and a half steps.”  “What?? How can you measure one and a half steps,” I said, “you want the kid to cut off half of his foot, so he does not walk?”  The rule is clarified as the player’s ball is in the air going to his hand, he gets 1 step, then as he picks the ball up, his second step is executed.  His third step is the actual jump.  Any referee out there, please continue to read this.

A regular lay-up is never called a walk because when the player shoots a one handed lay-up it is executed as follows:

• Dribble to the right, pick ball up, put right foot down, left foot down, and jump.  No Walk
• EURO Step is Dribble to the right, pick ball up, put right foot down, left foot down (to the left side at an angle past the defender), jump.  No Walk

Most lay-ups are the same technique only two different angles of the step.  Refs stop penalizing the kids for something they work hard on, enjoy doing, and is legal.  You frustrate the coaches, players, parents, and skill teachers, like me, who teach legal moves.  Please let the coaches defend after the game or half time what they believe and teach.  Respectfully both of you guys will learn something.  To defend your call by saying the move is only allowed in the NBA is irrelevant.   Frankly ignorant statements like that tick me off.  The neat thing about the NBA is that it is a game played by extraordinary talent executing elementary moves.   There is definitely a natural progression of teaching moves to players.  But if the player can execute a EURO step, step away, or a behind the back pass in a 6^th grade game, and then don’t suffocate his potential talent and joy within basketball. Please tune in next week for part 2.

The Basketball Test-Questions Every BB Player Should Know

Posted by Ganon Baker at 12:41 pm

Here at Ganon Baker Basketball we do a lot of teaching on the physical skills of the game.  We get players bodies ready!  Their strength, stamina, skills and explosiveness are very important.  Today we wanted to talk about the mental part of the game.  This article can be very beneficial for both players and coaches.

In my experience of training pros and college players, all of them embrace taking their MIND to the gym as well as their BODIES.  A good way to do that is to watch film.  When I spent 5 days with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, he constantly talked about watching himself on film during the summer.  Here is what he looked for:

1)      His defensive stance on and off the ball

2)      His offensive movement, particularly off the ball

3)      How his defender guarded him, off the ball, on the catch, on the drive, on the finish.

4)      His moves (this is where he said he wore the rewind button out). If he made a shot he wanted to see how he could repeat that again, if he missed a shot he wanted to see how he could correct it.

5)      His jump shot form and his shot selection.

6)      Now during the season Kobe gets a game tape of his opponent before every game.  He wants to STUDY who he’s guarding, their tendencies, and what the other team is running.  He wants to see a game film of that team the last time they played the Lakers.  He wants to know what defense they threw at him, how many defenders guarded him and where the double was coming from.  This man is COMMITTED to getting better and developing his BB IQ!

Another guy that watches film is Amar’e Stoudemire.  When I would pick him up for training he would be watching old films of Hakeem Olajuwon.  He would be studying his offensive footwork, his positioning, and poise when he caught it in the post.  We would then go out and work on those moves. You See it, You can Think it, now You go out and Do it!!

Watching film is a great way to develop your game in your mind.

Look out for the next article on Questions Every Basketball Player Should Know.  This will be a list of questions we ask and quiz our Nike All- Americans on.

The Basketball Test-Questions Every BB Player Should Know Part Two

Posted by Ganon Baker at 2:57 pm

In the last article we talked about 2 NBA players who I have been around that watch film religiously to improve their BB IQ.  As a young player develops they must understand that offensive basketball has solutions to the defenses problems.  As a coach and skills trainer you must present this information to your players in a solution based manner.   Listed below are some questions your players or you as a player should know and begin to memorize.  These are a few situations that occur in every basketball game.   These are good questions to gauge your knowledge of offensive basketball.  From the questions you can formulate your skill development drills.  That’s what we do here at GBB, we make them Think it, Know it, and then Go out and Do it!!

•    What are the four offensive options for the dribbler coming off a sideline pick n’ roll?
•    Duck-in opposite post / or short corner teammate
•    The screener on the roll / or pop / or early slip
•    Weak-side spot up shooter teammate
•    Dribbler can reject, split, or attack ball screen for their shot (pull-up J or floater)

•    Where is the best position to post and why?
•    Midline at the rim, because it is closest
•    Then 1st block and hash mark, because of good angle and space for baseline cutter

•    What are 5 angles you can set a Ball Screen?
•    Sideline Pick and Roll
•    High Pick and Roll
•    Flat
•    Baseline Pick and Roll
•    Elbow

•     Where is the midline and why is it important?
•    The middle of the court, from rim to dotted line – when cuts, passes and drive go to the midline, shot percentages go up.  It creates open receivers, draws fouls and rebounding opportunities.

•    What are the 4 ways to finish off two feet?
•    1,2 step
•    Step out/back
•    Jump stop
•    Drag foot finish

•    When do you use the above 2 foot finishes in regards to how the defense is guarding you?
•    1,2: when defense is on your hip and going to where you are going
•    Step out and drag foot finish: when defense cuts you off and almost beats you to the spot
•    Jump stop: when defense is off or behind you, you use it to cover ground, slow game down, and cut gaps.

•    When you are at the top of the key with the ball and the wing is denied, how do you get them the ball?
•    Draw defense, penetrate kick
•    Dribble at wing for back door or hand off
•    Flash a player for back door to high post area
•    Dribble them through off screen

•    What are the rules of transition defense in order?
•    Get the rim, run back, get in front of ball
•    Stop ball
•    Talk, getting a man
•    Make them throw 3 passes

•    What are 4 ways a defender can guard you as a cutter off a down screen and what do you do? (don’t count option of passing to screener)
•    If defender is on your hip, curl
•    If defender is denying you, pop (lean them into screen)
•    If defender face guards you, inside cut (swim stroke)
•    If defender is on top of screen, sprint fade or back door

Keep Reading…