NBA players' offseason habits

Sporting News, The, May 26, 2003

Timberwolves director of player personnel Rob Babcock explains how they're better, and worse, than they used to be.

Individual work has skyrocketed. More players have gyms in their homes; they can afford to bring someone to them, like a college coach, and though you'd love to see them more around the team facility, all that extra individual instruction goes a long way.

Players are healthier on the whole. So many of them are into cross-training--aerobics, yoga, bike riding, etc. They're also far more knowledgeable about nutrition. We all can see they're stronger overall, but they also keep themselves in better condition.

The stereotypes are dead wrong. Sure, you've got some players who are so talented they can be lazy in the offseason and stay in the league. But the vast majority of these guys work their butts off and are self-motivated. There's so much money at stake.

There's too much five-on-five time. A lot of players just want to run fullcourt, and they wind up in games where there's no ball movement, just eight guys at a time standing around watching. I'm telling you, that can lead to some seriously bad habits.

And not enough three-on-three. Back when everybody stuck around in the offseason, there was a lot of this, and it made everybody better. You play with your teammates, use the pick-and-roll, see the game from so many angles, get lots of touches. It's great.

Nor enough one-on-one. You want to get better? Seek out someone who's better than you, and you play him until you have an answer for each of the things he does to stop you. Just the two of you, over and over. It's how good players become great.