Why I Trained NBA Stars with Mats and Foam Rollers
When I began my journey as a basketball trainer nearly 20 years ago, I knew one thing—I wasn’t traditional. I experimented with training techniques that broke away from the norm, using unconventional tools to push players to new heights.
I used tennis balls under Kobe Bryant’s watchful eye, tossed dodgeballs to Kyrie Irving as he dribbled, and had Karl-Anthony Towns grab foam rollers out of mid-air for layups and dunks.
Victor Oladipo and Brandon Ingram went on to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after we focused on footwork with I’m Possible tools like the DrillMat.
While these methods might seem unorthodox, they delivered real results. The techniques, abilities, and skill-building approach I used with these players shaped the foundation of I’m Possible Training—a system that develops Real Skill.
We call these tools and methods Skill Shaper Constraints—designed to target specific skills and movements in training.
For example, when a player uses the I’m Possible RipCone to slide along the floor during a drive, they’re automatically keeping their shoulder down and core engaged without thinking about it.
The tool guides them into the exact body position needed to build the skill naturally.
If you look close enough, you can easily see these methods being executed in live game action.
PS. Want to see how this approach creates Real Skill? Unlock the world's premier skill enhancement methods to elevate your shooting, footwork, movement, ball-handling and more with our RealSkill Membership.
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