How Brickley Broke Into the NBA

Chris Brickley is the go-to trainer for the biggest names in basketball. Starting his career under coaching legends Rick Pitino and Phil Jackson, Chris made bold moves that ultimately set the stage for his breakthrough in the NBA. He’s worked with elite players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell, shaping their training regimens and taking their games to new heights.

Now in this exclusive interview with Dr. Kristen Holmes, he take us behind the scenes of:

• The coaching test he had to pass to join the Knicks

• How Chris trained NBA stars while homeless

• Whether he would ever want to coach an NBA team

• The toughest crossroads he’s faced in his career

• How NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant stay elite

• Who Chris is most excited to watch in the 2025-26 NBA Season

• How he’s grown from an NBA trainer into a global brand

• What it actually takes to be one of the best player in the world

If you're a basketball enthusiast, aspiring coach, or just curious about the world of elite basketball, this episode of the Line is packed with valuable insights and tips from one of the best in the business.

Follow us here:

www.instagram.com/theline.show  

www.instagram.com/drkristenholmes

Follow Chris Brickley here:

www.instagram.com/cbrickley603 

www.instagram.com/blackops.basketball 

Learn more about his latest Puma release: https://us.puma.com/us/en/pd/all-pro-nitro-2-empire-legacy-by-chris-brickley-mens-basketball-shoes/312311?swatch=01 

(00:00) Introduction

(02:33) Breaking into the NBA with the New York Knicks

(06:09) Gaining Trust with Carmelo Anthony & NBA Stars

(09:01) Why Chris Left the Knicks

(11:25) From Nike Deal to Homeless

(14:07) How Chris Brickley Built His Name

(17:09) Behind the Elite BlackOps Sessions & Runs

(20:21) Chris Brickley's 300 Drill

(23:37) Previewing the 2025-26 NBA Season

(27:38) Coaching in the NBA

(29:20) How Chris Sharpens His Coaching Skills

(31:52) Becoming a Global Brand with Puma

(33:35) Bon Charge Ad

(34:36) WHOOP Ad

(35:37) Chris' College Journey & NBA Dreams

(39:22) Starting the Chris Brickley Invitational

(42:19) Making the Decision to Transfer to Louisville

(44:08) Meeting Coach Rick Pitino for the First Time

(47:39) Developing His Own Coaching Style

(55:20) How Chris Brickley Analyzes Basketball

(01:00:55) What Phil Jackson Taught Chris About Coaching

(01:05:19) Caitlin Clark & The Rise of the WNBA

(01:07:25) Training Angel Reese and WNBA Stars

(01:09:58) What Separates the Greatest NBA Players

(01:12:40) Chris’s Bond with Tim Hardaway, Donovan Mitchell & LeBron James

(01:14:15) Why LeBron James is the G.O.A.T.

(01:16:36) The Controversy of NBA Player Load Management

(01:22:13) Kristen Breaks Down the Conversation

Sponsored by:

Bon Charge - http://BONCHARGE.COM/KRISTEN used code KRISTEN for 15% off

WHOOP - https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/SCIENCE/ 

SYNC ID: 

MB01AI2LZLFPVE7

MB01WJNKZNEU7VH

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices