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!!

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.

Let’s look at the options first

1) L.A Clippers – There is no way he is going all the way out to LA to play for a bad team  There is no way that their owner is going to pay the money because they are known for their stinginess.

2) New Jersey Nets – There is a slight possibility that he goes here, they definitely have the money and Lebron’s boy is a minority owner, but the reason why he is open to other teams is because he wants to win a championship.  NJ does not have the personnel, nor have they signed any talent yet.  I do love Avery Johnson.  I think he will win there, but Lebron wants championships.

3) Chicago Bulls – There is a strong possibility he will go here, they have a great coach, great point, and they are starting to surround the program with talented players (addition of Carlos Boozer was huge).  I do not think Lebron will go to Chicago because he wants to create his own brand and not rejuvenate Chicago who has already had Michael Jordan’s footprint on it.  Michael Jordan is his idol and he would like to go somewhere where he can build a program like Jordan did, this is one of the reasons why he is changing numbers as well, to be his own man and to create his own brand.

4) Miami Heat – There is a strong possibility that he could go here.  The players are in place, I just think they need a good bench.  Coaching staff is phenomenal along with Pat Riley overlooking the program.  Lebron grew up in snowy, icy, winters his whole life; I think he is looking for a change.  There have been reports that he has already committed to Miami and the word on the street is that he told his boys at the skill academy one evening that if the team he committed to leaked out before he announced it, then he would not go to that team, so I am not picking Miami.

5) Cleveland Cavs – If he was staying in Cleveland, then he would have already mentioned this, he is looking to win a championship and not just games.  I do not think he enjoyed playing with Shack, because Shack was so immobile.

6) New York Knicks – This is my choice, I think he is going to NY.  I think NY needs one more high level player and great defender.  I think NY has everything that Lebron wants, with an eventual chance to win a championship, exposure to him and his brand, and it is the best place for him to continue to build his empire and become a billionaire, if not making a billion dollars excites him, it’s just achieving that goal of being a billionaire.  There is a rumor that he has already turned down one NY or NJ team for 40 Mill a year.  I am not sure how true that is.  I do not follow the salaries of players or know much about the salary cap is, this is just the rumor we heard swirling around camp.

Anyway, this should satisfy those who have been texting and e-mailing me about where Lebron is going.  Now you have my opinion.  I think it is great that ESPN will donate all of the sponsor proceeds tonight to the girls and boys club.  I learned how to compete and be tough on the court at the Shell Road Boys Club in Hampton, VA.  Where ever Lebron goes, it is guaranteed that he is going to play tough and compete.

-Ganon Baker

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!”

He realizes that being a McDonalds All American and a future NBA player does not entitle him to anything in life without respect and kindness.  He understands that regardless of his basketball status, he has to follow and abide by the same rules the rest of us have to follow every day.  Outside of his basketball talents, I was impressed by his punctuality.  He actually picked me up every day with his mom, and he even carried my bags (who does that??) on time!!

Outside of working out Harrison, I was hired to work out the Iowa attack program as well.  Harrison helped me and did NOT miss a minute.  He stayed in the gym the entire time.  That is responsible!!

When parents talked to him, he looked them in the eyes, answered every question with dignity, was articulate, and would carry on a meaningful conversation.  That’s Class!  Not one time did he complain about the long hours in the gym, not once!  He had a “give back” attitude towards his program.  That’s loyal.

Being around Harrison was very refreshing.  It showed me as a coach that regardless of how talented a player or person is they just want to be normal just like us.  Regardless of their celebrity status you can and should hold them accountable for being a good human being and the best player they can be.  If you are a good person, with an education, and you have “star power” well then you can really help all of us make this world a better place.  And it’s fun doing it too!

TOP SELLING BASKETBALL INSTRUCTIONAL APP

NOW AVAILABLE FOR GOOGLE ANDROID PHONES

Ground Breaking ‘23 Ways to Destroy Your Defender With Ganon Baker: Moves & Counter Moves of the Superstars’ Is The First of Its Kind App For The Android Platform

BURLINGAME, Calif. -April 26, 2010 – After becoming a featured top seller on the Apple iPhone platform, the groundbreaking and award-winning basketball instructional app, “23 Ways to Destroy Your Defender… with Ganon Baker” is now available at the Google Android App Store for a special introductory price of just 99 cents for a very limited time!

Created by Level X Hoops, “23 Ways To Destroy Your Defender” uses a Smartphone’s  portability to make it easier for players and coaches to immediately perfect their technique on the court with video, and now, with, Android’s global reach online and “affordable pricing” the app will reach a “much wider” audience of basketball players and coaches globally, CEO Brian Brinkerhoff said. “We just couldn’t ignore the deluge of email requests from players and coaches the world over begging for us to release this Android version.  We listened to our customers and now our reach around the world has more than doubled virtually overnight!.”

The 30-minute app features Ganon Baker — a Nike-sponsored NBA Skills Coach who often commands thousands of dollars in fees — walking users through 11 stars’ signature moves in a video with “Hollywood-quality” camera angles, editing and sound, explains Brinkerhoff, a former executive with the Walt Disney Company.

Basketball-instruction videos typically require players to recall moves they’ve seen in film rooms or at home once they hit the court to practice, and their reach has been limited by premium instructional-market pricing and a slew of country-specific DVD codes, according to Brinkerhoff, of Level X Hoops, the App Store division of Full Court Basketball — a producer of over 30 basketball instructional DVDs.

“Smartphones have revolutionized how and where people use video to practice and teach basketball,” Brinkerhoff said. “You rarely see a player or coach dragging a TV to the court, but you see them taking their phones everywhere — so now they can watch the videos anytime, anywhere they want.”

The video footage was shot at the EA Sports gym in Redwood City, Calif. was adapted for Android by Tek Reliance.

The app features moves and counter-moves used by the following players:

- Derrick Rose – Killer Crossover, Killer Crossover Counter

- Chauncey Billups – X-Plosion, X-Plosion Counter

- Dirk Nowitzki – Step Back, Step Back Counter

- Ricky Rubio – 2X, 2X Counter

- Allen Iverson – Killer X, Killer X Counter

- Steve Nash – Jab Swivel, Jab Swivel Counter

- Chris Paul – Inside Out, Inside Out Counter

- Manu Ginobili – Jab, Jab Counter

- Tony Parker – Combo, Combo Counter

- Grayson “The Professor” Boucher – Stutter, Stutter Counter

- Deron Williams – Spin Series (3 Moves)

The “23 Ways” app gives users full DVD-like control of the video, including the ability to skip and rewind footage — as well as re-play moves in slow motion. The app also allows users to tag moves as favorites and organize them in a folder for immediate access.

Each move is broken down by instructor Baker in the same manner: Baker explains the move, points out key nuances and demonstrates the move several times against a defender. Each move is then shown in slow motion and followed by a graphic that lists the move’s key steps.

“We dissect each move and show you how to practice and master it,” Baker said. “And the app puts players in a great position to practice the moves over and over again on the court and build up their confidence, which, of course, is essential at all levels.”

Level X Hoops will continue to roll out Android versions of various basketball-instruction apps throughout the year that cover a full range of skill development and coaching techniques.

About Level X Hoops

Level X Hoops is a producer of basketball instructional videos for mobile platforms. Level X is dedicated to delivering basketball instruction to players and coaches “Anytime, Anywhere” with the handheld devices. The company is the App Store division of Full Court Basketball, which has produced over 30 basketball instructional DVDs and worked on projects with ESPN, AND1 and adidas. Full Court was founded by Brian Brinkerhoff — a former executive with the Walt Disney Company.  Level X Hoops works closely with Canopus Projects, a digital post-production boutique in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in 3D animation and visual effects. http://levelxhoops.com/

About Ganon Baker Basketball Services, Inc.

Ganon Baker Basketball Services, Inc. is run by Ganon Baker, an internationally renowned basketball instructor and personal coach to various NBA stars. Baker is an NBA Skills Coach, Nike Skills Coach, motivational speaker, national/international clinician and skill-development coach. Baker and his team of trainers offer personal training, team training, camps, clinics, consulting, skill-development certification and highlight DVD/recruiting support. http://www.ganonbakerbasketball.com/

www.jordanbrandclassic.com (check the front page)

http://www.basketball247.co.uk/jhh/archives/00000010.shtml (Article from the UK reporter who was at the JBC in Istanbul)

www.jumpoffplus.com

www.peachstatehoops.com

www.espnhoopgurlz.com

All-Star girls report and Premier will send out a report to over 1500 colleges.

I want to thank all my staff:

Rob Burke – Ganon Baker Basketball Pro Staff Trainer
MJ – Ganon Baker Basketball Pro Staff Trainer
Art Wasson – Cincinnati AAU
Jim Blevins – Columbus AAU
Bobby Paul – Ohio State University
Pat Traynor – Ganon Baker Basketball Project Manager
Angie Diamond – Ganon Baker Basketball Business Manager

We worked the girls out tremendously hard in the morning, motivated them at lunch with NBA/WNBA and life success stories, and in the afternoon they got better in controlled scrimmages.  Below are the invites for our next Skills Select in Texas, DC, and Atlanta/Greenville.

Texas
Bryce Owens
Karisa Cantu
Lakeisha Lee
Jaclyn Von Der Heide

DC
Cat Wells
Delanie Wolf
Keshyra McCarver
Mea Williams
Monika Slyka
Tara Clune
Asia Woodson
Cimone Reide
Saicha Grant-Allen
Sarah Traynor
MaKenzie Bevins
Oney Harrison

Atlanta/Greenville
Nichole Moody
Savannah Carter
Clara Young
Leslie Vorpahl
Katie Carroll
Mckenzie Piper
Ashley Bassett-Smith
Whitney Bunn
Kara Wright
Jessy Ward
Tierra Floyd
Megan Marecic
Brianna Libertore
Millesa Calicott
Olivia Wrencher

We look forward to the next workouts.  Check our schedule for one in your area!!   And remember…

It’s all about the Sweat!!

Testimonies:

I cannot begin to tell you how appreciative I am for the work in your camp.  I had a difficult time explaining to my family and friends how different an experience it was from other camps I attended.  The two days in Columbus hit home with me.  I was hoping you would give me personal feedback on what I need to do to become a better player.  I saw an opportunity for me to learn from a voice different from my school and AAU coaches.  I learned two things.  1, that I have work to do to reach my goal of playing in college and 2, I need to put in the daily effort that was given at your camp.  The energy and instruction is what I took from the camp and I hope I get more opportunities to work with you.  I would like to go to more camps taught by you and I would appreciate the chance.” -Player B.M.

I forwarded this email to my daughter so she can give you her input on the training. As a parent, I thought it was excellent. Very organized, structured and engaging. I had questioned myself about traveling from Mass to Ohio and whether it was a worthwhile thing. It turned out to be more than worthwhile and we enjoyed every minute of it. If possible, could you email some of those tips to me so I can reinforce them to my daughter and her teammates? I will also be ordering some of the work-out dvds. Again, thank you and if you ever want to come to the Birthplace of Basketball, we will be more than happy to have you!!” -Parent A.W.

Thank you so much for all you do.  I loved the exposure camp for my daughter, and am very thankful that she had the opportunity to meet others with similar interests – she had a great time!  I really appreciate your approach as well, and thought you did a great job of setting the tone and expectations for sportsmanship, a high level of play, and bringing out the best.  I was impressed with the chemistry among the girls – not even knowing each other, they very quickly came together and played at a high level.  I met several parents and we’re looking forward to seeing each other again at summer tournaments.” -Parent K.C.

]]> http://www.ganonbakerbasketball.com/blog/columbus-skills-select-a-success/feed/ 0 http://www.ganonbakerbasketball.com/blog/gbb-begins-talk-to-build-filipino-basketball-academy/ http://www.ganonbakerbasketball.com/blog/gbb-begins-talk-to-build-filipino-basketball-academy/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:26:02 +0000 Angie Diamond http://www.ganonbakerbasketball.com/?p=1821 Ganon Baker continues to attract worldwide interest.  Some people may not know but the Philippines is a huge basketball country.  Although the players are not very tall, their hearts and passion for basketball is huge.  They have pro leagues over there and even though there is a height limit, the country goes crazy for their players.   The Philippines have reached out to Ganon to help make their players better.  GBB has given them several proposal and we are waiting on the good news.  Below is an article of Ganon’s meeting and direction of where the academy can go.

Click the link below to read the article.

Banes engages Baker for Pinoy cagers

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=562341

TRAINER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM

Trainers that are hired by Ganon must possess the ability to teach, reach, motivate, demonstrate, and innovate. Therefore, Ganon Baker Basketball has developed a process to find the greatest, undiscovered, basketball teachers in the world. In a matter of weeks, one trainer has already been discovered. Are you the next?

GANON BAKER BASKETBALL CERTIFICATION

Ganon Baker Basketball is now offering basketball trainers, aspiring trainers, and coaches the opportunity to be certified as a Skill Development Trainer. This weekend-long interactive teaching clinic will offer trainers and coaches the opportunity to be certified in the areas of Point Guard, Wing Guard, and Post Player skill development along with the option for an Elite Certification to cover all areas.

CONSULTATION SERVICES

With Ganon Baker Basketball Services coaches and players can now receive professional, personal and basketball related advice from Ganon Baker himself over the phone or in person. Want to know how?

“The goal of the Skills Academies is to instill the fundamentals into the next generation of top players. Each academy focuses on strength and conditioning and skill development. In addition to the on-court instruction the players also get to hear from the NBA athlete and the coaches on life lessons and what it takes to make it at the next level”

- Nike Basketball

Check out the pictures below for all of the action.