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The Sports Initiative Podcast

188 - Dave Love - NBA shooting coach

Oct 24, 2024
54:08

1:07

Early Sporting Memories and Changes in Soccer Rules

Dave Love shares his earliest sporting memory of playing youth soccer, including a humorous anecdote about wearing blue jeans to practice. Michael Wright informs him about the current rules that restrict heading the ball for younger players, emphasizing the potential tactical changes this could bring to the game. They both express curiosity about how these changes will affect grassroots football.

9:41

Sporting Idols and Influences

Dave Love discussed his sporting idols from childhood, emphasizing Larry Bird as a significant influence in his basketball journey. He described a period where he was heavily invested in Bird's legacy, owning various memorabilia. Love also mentioned a local minor league player who became an idol during his time as a ball boy, alongside other sports figures like Brian Robson and Hawken Lube.

11:42

Memorable Moments in Sports

Michael asks Dave about memorable sports moments, prompting Dave to reflect on Larry Bird's playoff heroics and Tiger Woods' unforgettable chip shot at the Masters. He highlights the thrill of witnessing such performances and the emotional impact they have. The conversation shifts to discussing basketball teams that exemplify ideal play styles, with both speakers agreeing on the unselfishness of the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.

19:08

Insights into Basketball Coaching with Dave Love

Dave Love discusses his role as a basketball shooting coach, detailing his experience working with NBA teams and individual players. He highlights the transition from trial-and-error methods to a more research-guided approach in coaching, which he recognized as essential for effective teaching. Love's journey was influenced by a mentor who opened doors for him in the NBA.

29:44

Energy Flow in Sports Mechanics

The focus is on the biomechanics of sports, particularly basketball and golf. Dave explains that both sports involve the application of force and energy flow, highlighting the need to identify and reduce negative energy that can hinder performance. He uses the example of how different body parts contribute to either positive or negative energy during a shot.

32:20

Coaching Approaches to Shooting Mechanics

Michael Wright and Dave Love explore the complexities of coaching basketball shooting techniques, particularly the transition from mid-range to three-point shooting. Love explains that while traditional coaching can quickly teach mechanics, the real challenge lies in applying these changes during games. He advocates for a constraint-led approach that allows players to explore new movement patterns rather than simply prescribing solutions.

41:38

Data Disparities in Sports Analytics

Dave highlights the disparity in data collection between basketball and other sports, noting that golf and baseball have more static environments that facilitate tracking. He has been working on a data-informed approach to shooting development in basketball, identifying two key metrics that can improve shooting performance. The complexity of basketball's dynamic gameplay makes it difficult to establish a clear starting point for data analysis.

53:21

Player Development Success Stories

Dave Love discussed his work with Aaron Gordon and Dwayne Dedman, focusing on their free throw shooting improvements. Gordon, who struggled with a 42% free throw percentage in college, shot 72% in his rookie NBA season, defying expectations. Dedman also saw success, increasing his free throw percentage from 55% to 75% through remote training and adjusted drills.



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