The growing world of player development. Coach Hawk has a candid discussion with one of the best development coaches in the game in longtime NBA Assistant Coach Eric Hughes.

Next Possession

Players hiring individual development coaches has been a recent trend at all levels. Is this a good thing or bad?
Coach Hawk visits with longtime friend and veteran NBA assistant coach Eric Hughes. Hughes has coached in Toronto, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and last year with the 76ers. He has trained players such as Gary Payton, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Garnett, Giannis Antetokounpo, and Kevin Durant just to name a few.
You'll get an amusing look at how Hawk and Hughes moved up the coaching ladder together before the two move on to discuss the player development world.
You'll hear the difference between what an in season and off-season workout looks like. The misconceptions of NBA players, length of season, and why Hughes doesn't like to use cones during a workout are all discussed.
What's the difference between a college workout and an NBA workout? Who is the greatest competitor Hughes has ever coached? (Hint: It's the same guy most NBA insiders would name as well.) All of this and so much more is covered in the halftime talk.
The Buzzer Beater picks up on the discussion and tries to help answer the question about the emergence of individual development coaches and their worth to the player. Coach Hawk chips in with his opinion on how to navigate the process to make it work for all involved.
The tip-off question asks about the best reading material out there to help young players (and parents) grow and develop.
This episode is a must for players, parents, and coaches alike. Fans will enjoy the inside stories.