From: officialflagrant
The relationship between NBA players and their coaches is a complex and often defining aspect of a player’s career. From shaping fundamental skills to influencing career decisions and even post-retirement paths, coaches play a significant role in the trajectory of basketball talent.
Early Career and Developmental Influence
Coaches often have a profound impact on players from a young age, even before they reach the professional leagues. The decision to attend a specific college is often driven by the coach rather than the institution itself, as players seek mentorship and belief from their coaches [02:26:26].
Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan, for example, heavily recruited Jason Williams to Kentucky as an assistant coach [02:55:01]. When Donovan later took the head coach job at Marshall, Williams followed him there, despite it being only 40 minutes from his home and not a school he’d previously considered [02:06:07]. After playing a year at Marshall, Williams again followed Donovan to Florida, sitting out another year due to transfer rules [02:52:00].
Donovan had strict rules, such as a 5:30 AM run for any missed class. Williams, aware of this, would intentionally miss class and train in the mornings, believing it would put him in better shape than his teammates [03:19:15]. Although Williams was “hooping,” Donovan eventually kicked him off the team after 17 games due to failing drug tests, fulfilling a prior warning [03:10:05]. This decision forced Williams to enter the NBA draft and likely contributed to his unique playing style, unburdened by strict coaching directives [03:10:05].
Rick Barnes
Rick Barnes, another coach, also played a role in Williams’ early career. Williams initially signed with Providence because of Barnes, but Barnes left for Clemson, prompting Williams to seek other options [02:26:17]. Interestingly, Barnes was also a magician, a skill Williams admired [03:31:29].
Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown, who coached Williams, advised him early on to “never leave anything inside,” meaning to express feelings rather than suppressing them, as it could lead to “an ulcer” [03:17:47]. This philosophy deeply resonated with Williams and became a guiding principle in his life [03:19:59].
Coaching Styles and Team Dynamics
Coaches shape not only individual players but also the overall philosophy and success of a team.
Rick Adelman (Sacramento Kings)
Rick Adelman, the Sacramento Kings coach, allowed Williams to play freely and expressively. He encouraged Williams to continue making flashy passes, even if they resulted in turnovers, telling him to “try it with your left hand” next time [03:09:11]. This freedom allowed Williams to flourish and contribute to the Kings’ exciting, fast-paced, and ball-sharing style that captivated fans [00:59:58]. The Kings team, with its big men who could shoot threes, was seen as a precursor to today’s NBA offenses [02:14:02].
Pat Riley (Miami Heat)
Pat Riley, known as “The Godfather” [02:11:25], is renowned for creating “Heat Culture” [02:14:14]. His approach prioritizes winning above all else, ensuring players are taken care of both on and off the court. This includes providing first-class accommodations like the Ritz Carlton for team travel, covering the difference himself if necessary [02:12:01].
Riley also implemented a sophisticated analytic system, a “plus-minus” chart, before it became a league-wide statistic, tracking players’ defensive accountability during games [02:13:00]. This system, displayed every morning, held players accountable for their defensive effort, though Williams noted that top players like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade’s numbers were often overlooked [02:14:16].
Williams believes that the Miami Heat organization, under Riley, is the best he’s ever been a part of due to their player and family treatment [02:11:38]. While Riley’s system imposed a tighter leash and focused on half-court play, Williams believes it was his own decision to adapt his game based on the personnel (Shaq and Wade) rather than Riley “reining him in” [02:14:50].
Riley’s intimidating presence extends to referees, who are often hesitant to call fouls against his team in the paint [02:54:13]. He also controls media access, ensuring favorable narratives for his team [02:53:17].
Jerry Sloan (Utah Jazz)
Jerry Sloan, the legendary Jazz coach, was a “bad boy” [02:49:54]. Williams speculated that he and Sloan “would have wrestled a lot” had he played for him, as Sloan likely wouldn’t have allowed Williams the same freedom [02:08:08].
Chuck Daly (Orlando Magic)
Chuck Daly was the coach of the Orlando Magic when Williams was trying to get drafted. Daly was candid with Williams, admitting he knew who was more athletic and talented when comparing Williams to Bryce Drew, and just wanted to finish the workout quickly [03:34:21]. Williams had always wanted to be drafted by the Magic [03:32:51].
Impact on Player Mentality and Adaptability
Coaches also influence a player’s mindset, particularly in the face of pressure and evolving league dynamics.
Adaptability to Different Systems
Williams highlights how Jason Williams’s game naturally fit the modern NBA, which prioritizes offense and space. He believes his Kings team was a “today’s NBA team” due to their shooting bigs and overall offensive flow [02:14:02]. Williams noted that in today’s game, point guards are expected to score 25-30 points per night, a mentality he didn’t prioritize but believes he could have adapted to [02:13:38].
Mentally Strong Players
Players like Kobe Bryant are highlighted for their exceptional mental strength [02:08:26]. Coaches create game plans, but Bryant would often “figure it out” within the first four or five possessions, rendering the plan useless due to his deep understanding of defensive schemes and patience [02:09:11]. This highlights the mental battle coaches face against elite players.
Transitioning to Role Players
The transition from being a high school or college “superstar” to an NBA role player can be challenging. However, players like Patrick Beverley and Steven Adams successfully adapted their game to find long careers by focusing on defense, rebounding, and setting screens, proving that not everyone needs to be a high-volume scorer [02:22:47]. Williams argues that if a player can contribute meaningfully, coaches and teammates will appreciate their impact regardless of scoring [02:22:12].
Referee Influence
The conversation also touched on the perception of unfair treatment from referees towards different players. Williams felt that while stars receive more calls, he, as a smaller guard, would get less favorable treatment despite clear fouls [02:48:02]. He also recounts instances where he intentionally provoked referees in recreational leagues by kicking the ball or dribbling at them, knowing they couldn’t retaliate [02:50:48].