Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast Modern Concepts for Bigs w/ Alex Sarama
Jul 6, 2025
In this podcast, Alex Sarama, author of Transforming Basketball and former Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shares insights on modern basketball strategies. He discusses the revival of double-big lineups, emphasizing their advantages in rim pressure and rebounding. Alex also explains the impact of motor learning on player development and promotes flexible practice designs that embrace non-linear learning curves. He tackles innovative cutting techniques to create scoring opportunities, enhancing efficiency in offensive play.
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Pro Team Adoption Of Motor Learning
- Alex Sarama described bringing motor learning principles into the Cavaliers' environment and seeing positive results quickly.
- He emphasized that pro coaches adopted these methods when they demonstrably work, despite being different.
Principles Over Scripted Sets
- Sarama argued shared principles of play beat scripting many one-off sets for half-court efficiency.
- He credited clearer player responsibilities and coordinated PD for improved execution.
Embrace Messy, Nonlinear Practice
- Accept learning will be messier and nonlinear and design practices with variability for better transfer.
- Expect regressions but aim for an upward trend and tolerate failure during practice.
