NBA great Jamal Crawford recently shared his perspective on basketball training, critiquing the direction many trainers are taking:
- “There’s so many trainers teaching kids stuff they’ll never use in the game.”
- “It’s so much better to play a good brand of basketball because if you do that, you can play forever.”
- “I think what’s being lost is that training is so individualized, it’s just about the player, not the team.”
At first glance, Crawford’s points seem to hit home. Players do need to understand team dynamics and play within a system. However, I believe there’s more to consider, and his critique may miss some key logic:
1️⃣ The Role of Trainers vs. Coaches
Why do so many people think trainers need to take on the role of coaches? Players already play for coaches responsible for teaching team dynamics. Trainers, on the other hand, focus on individual skill development—a role that complements, rather than competes with, what coaches do.
2️⃣ Let Players Define Their Own Limits
Why should trainers and coaches be the ones deciding what a player is capable of? (Hint: They shouldn’t.) A trainer’s job is to equip players with tools and skills, allowing them to explore their own potential—not confining them to someone else’s expectations.
3️⃣ The Real Issue Isn’t Bad Trainers
Yes, some trainers aren’t great. But that doesn’t justify broad criticisms of individualized training. The solution isn’t more trainers or coaches acting as fortune tellers, predicting who will succeed. The solution is belief—helping players develop skills that empower them to rise to any challenge.
Individuality Isn’t the Enemy
Was Jamal suggesting trainers are teaching unnecessary skills? If so, who decides which players don’t need those skills? It’s also worth asking: If Jamal had focused only on team ball, would he have reached the NBA? Of course not. His individual talent and creativity set him apart.
Here’s the truth: Players already spend the majority of their time in team environments with coaches. Skills, however, must be sought out and prioritized. The team side of basketball is like bottled water—readily available. Individual skill development is the rare resource players need to actively pursue.
A Trainer’s Purpose: To Empower Players
Take my experience with an NBA coach who once asked me to focus only on corner 3-pointers for a player. I declined. Why? Because that’s not what I was hired to do. Players already have coaches to narrow their focus. They need trainers who prioritize their personal growth, not just a coach’s immediate needs.
When I worked with Jordan Ford, he had just been told by a renowned trainer in seventh grade to set his sights on Division III basketball. That trainer’s limited vision could have derailed Ford’s career. Instead, I encouraged him to aim higher and develop skills beyond anyone’s expectations. Ford eventually reached the NBA. While I wasn’t the only trainer to work with him, that’s not the point—the point is we refused to settle for limited expectations.
This story highlights a crucial point: The biggest risk to players isn’t trainers teaching unnecessary skills—it’s trainers and coaches limiting them based on their own opinions.
Balancing the Team and the Dream
Basketball is a balance of team play and individual skill. As a player, if I hadn’t focused on myself, I wouldn’t have earned a college scholarship. I was a 5’9” white point guard— I didn’t succeed because I could swing the ball. I succeeded because I prioritized individual skills while balancing them with team dynamics.
At I’m Possible Training, we aim to help players harmonize the team and the dream. Our job isn’t to align with what a coach wants for a player. It’s to equip players with the skills they need to unlock their full potential.
In closing, let’s remember that trainers don’t need to be coaches. Players already have those. Trainers are here to empower, to believe in the player’s potential, and to give them the tools to succeed—on their team and for their dreams.