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Fess IrvinPlayer Development Coach
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Player Development Coach
- Your Previous Visits to Russia
- Your Training
- Physicality
- The Paramount Importance
- Glen Davis
- Russian Players' Challenges
- LeBron's Understanding
- Always Getting Better
- Kurt Thomas
- Yoga for Basketball Players
- Thomas' Uniqueness
- Favorite Client
- Other Examples
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Shaq's Legacy
- Irvin:But he missed a lot of games...
Player Development Coach
In the diverse world of basketball expertise, there are those who can transform a raw talent into a flamboyant star. One of these revered player development coaches is Fess Irvin, known for his work with DeShawn Stevenson, Kurt Thomas, Glen Davis, and Timofey Mozgov. Irvin recently visited Moscow to work with young Russian players. During a break in training, he sat down with Sports.ru to discuss how to defend against LeBron James, recollected Big Baby's draft-day call, urged for tolerance regarding immature NBA players' actions, and acknowledged the great potential he sees in Russia's youth.
Your Previous Visits to Russia
This is not your first time visiting Russia. What do you take away from these trips?
Irvin:Last year, we (with agent Maxim Sharifianov) visited Saint Petersburg and Moscow. It's a great experience. Simply because I see the potential in the young players here in Russia. I think it's so important for them to get individual work. And I think the country needs it, as far as basketball. That's why Max brings me here to try to give them the opportunity to help.
Your Training
Irvin:I work with individual players of all ages - as young as 2000, or I'll work with team concepts - team defense and team offense. I'm open to all the coaches. They can ask me questions about the things they want to know, or anything they want to talk about, or just fellowship with me.
After working with our coaches, have you formulated reasons for the deficiencies in Russian basketball players' training?
Irvin:You know what the problem is... It happens even in the NBA. Not only in Russia but also in Europe, there is too much emphasis on physical training. Sometimes coaches become obsessed with physical training. Basketball is much more skill-oriented, and the real fundamentals of the game are often ignored. It's important to teach kids how to shoot the ball, how to shoot off the dribble, how to create space, how to use footwork to get there, how to angle themselves, how to pass the ball... There are many things that young players have to learn, and none of those things can be taught in a weight room.
Physicality
However, Europeans are often criticized for being physically unprepared...
Irvin:When Dirk Nowitzki, one of the best players of our time, came to America, he was a skinny guy. He's still a skinny guy. But the thing is that he's a very, very skilled player. That's why he plays so well. That's why he has his MVPs and his championships. So I think that European players can sometimes use physicality, but I think it's over-emphasized in Europe.
The Paramount Importance
Then what should be of paramount importance?Irvin:Fundamentals are the most important thing. If players don't know how to use footwork, if they don't know how to handle the ball, if they can't create a shot off the dribble (which is a problem for a lot of European players), they won't be able to play at the highest level. So, as a player development coach, I have to figure out what a player's problems are. I have to watch them first, figure out what's wrong with them, and help them get to the point where they want to be fundamentally sound. That's what I'm about.
Glen Davis
Here's an example: Glen Davis. If you would have seen him when he was 14 or 15 years old, you would have never thought that this kid would be able to play in the NBA. People think that Americans are natural athletes and that it comes naturally for them to be in the NBA, and that's not true. His skills are the most important thing. Even with his weight problem, he was able to play. And there was a time when he couldn't run one lap around the track.
Tyrus Thomas, at that same age, was just a skinny little boy. And look how athletic he is now. But those things come much later - 16, 17, 18 years old.
Russian Players' Challenges
What is the main issue for Russian players?Irvin:The main issue is the lack of fundamentals. They come up at 20 years old without knowing anything. And it's not because of their physical condition.
Because basketball has become a business where there's a lot of money involved, everybody in Europe and in America is just looking for the flashy talent. Here's an easy example - LeBron James. He's a great talent, but he needs some coaching. There are areas - his off-ball movement, his left-hand dribbling, post-up moves - that he needs to work on a lot. But he doesn't. We saw what happened in the Finals. You can't win just on talent alone.
LeBron's Understanding
Does he not understand this himself?Irvin:I don't think he does. He won't until he finds somebody who helps him get to another level... But wait, he does work on some things, like improving his shot...
Irvin:Yes, but he needs to work on a lot more. If I had some video here, I could show you five or six things that he doesn't do that he should. Don't get me wrong. He's a great player. But he could be great if he would just sharpen his skills. The thing about player development is that anybody, no matter how great, can get better.
Always Getting Better
Can you always improve?Irvin:Let me tell you about my oldest client - Kurt Thomas. He's 39 years old, and he's still trying to get better. And what is he working on?
Kurt Thomas
Irvin:The main thing he works on is taking care of his body. Because at 39, he knows how important it is. He knows he's got to wake up early, he's got to stretch, he's got to do yoga two or three times a week, he's got to massage three or four times a week, and of course, he's got to rest. That's why Kurt Thomas is still playing, and he's still effective. He started 27 games for Chicago last year. He knows how to work, and he doesn't overwork.
Young players are just starting to learn that. Most of them, if you say "yoga", they're like "what?! What's yoga?" when it's one of the best things they can do as a basketball player.
Yoga for Basketball Players
Irvin:For many reasons. It improves flexibility and strength, and it doesn't pound your body the way weights do. You see guys lifting weights, and their knees are going because the pounding is too much. In the NBA, you play 82 games. In the summertime, you have to work, but you have to rest too. And you have to do it with minimal pounding.
Thomas' Uniqueness
Is Kurt Thomas unique?Irvin:Kurt is unique because not only is he disciplined with his training and his basketball stuff, but he also has his financial stuff really handled. He's a humble guy with a high basketball IQ. People tend to look at talent, but besides talent, intelligence is important - understanding the game, knowing when to pass - these are all elements of a great team player.
For me, Kurt is an example of what an NBA player should be. Kurt has made $63 million in his career, and he has invested it wisely. He could have been laying on the beach a long time ago, but he shows up every morning, does yoga, and then works out with me. If young players had that approach, they could accomplish anything.
Favorite Client
Is Thomas your favorite client?Irvin:Maybe my favorite is Mozgov. He's like a big kid. He's funny, he's receptive, he's responsive - when he was in Dallas, he took time out to talk to everybody and answer questions. He doesn't have to do that. So if I had to pick one, he's my favorite.
Other Examples
Irvin:Kobe Bryant is one of the best at it. He studies the game constantly - he learns who he's going to play against. He studies his opponent's weaknesses and watches tapes of his game the night before. He understands what foot they're going to start with, which foot is weak. When everybody else is sleeping, Kobe is in the gym getting up a thousand shots. When people are going to nap after lunch, he's back in the gym. Kobe is a true professional. He has great talent, but he also works hard. He wouldn't be where he is just on talent.
Shaquille O'Neal
What about his friend, who famously didn't like to practice?Irvin:Shaq had his role. He was great, great at what he did - being a big physical presence.
Shaq's Legacy
Irvin:That's true. Shaq changed the game, but he didn't like to practice. Wait a minute - how many seasons did Shaq play? 18 or 19?
