3 Things - June 2024

Working in the NBA

What I’m Listening To: Ryen Russillo Podcast

I’ve mentioned Ryen’s podcast before.  One of the reasons I recommend it because Ryen is someone who does the work.  He doesn’t come off as someone with the answers but as someone with questions.  When it comes to NBA Draft time, we need less answers and more questions because there is so much unknown and variability.  For those looking to get into front office work and scouting, you’ll come across a lot of arrogant people with answers.  But when you find those with questions, that’s where you’ll truly learn and grow.  Ryen has questions and is a great interviewer bringing in high level draft analysis, from the likes of most recently, Dan Hurley. 

What I’m Reading: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

I am a product of routine.  Once a routine or rhythm falls off, I fall off.  I was once asked on a podcast, “What is your favorite part of your routine?”  My response, “The routine itself.” 

When the pandemic hit, all routines and life rhythms were off.  I started to create my own.  And then around 6 months later, most of the Trail Blazers staff was invited back to the office and I was left to work from home.  The isolation and lack of connectivity, in accordance with the lack of routine and rhythm sent me into a depression.  I went from getting out of bed at 7 to 8 to 9 to… 11.  Each day became a struggle.

The way I halted my own personal destruction was by signing up for morning workouts that I had to pay for if I missed.  I’m obviously not going to pay for a workout I don’t do… that’s the motivation I needed for the first step, to get up and the next step, to get moving. 

Eventually, I was able to get my rhythms back in place and when the Blazers offered me an odd return to the office (you can come this day but not this day and do that but not that and you can kind of be part of us but not really part of us…), I said, ‘no thanks,’ I’ll keep working from home.  It wasn’t that I loved working from home, it was that I had found rhythm and routine and at that stage in my mental health, that was the most important thing. 

All that to say, The Miracle Morning offers a lot of great ways at personalizing that first hour of the day and not only making it count, but getting the rest of the day on track.

What’s Next: Breathwork & Tea

It’s not a fetch to say I’m addicted to my phone.  But also, when I think of my life, I don’t want that to be a defining aspect… he always had his phone with him. 

I can go into a coffee shop with a stack of books and my journal and end up on my phone for more time than I’m reading.

I’ve wanted to get more into studying breathwork, tea, somatic exercise, EMDR, and more… but I never seem to have the time.  But if I looked at my phone usage, I’d see that I have more than enough time. 

Beginning July 1, I am going to create a space called Breathwork & Tea where I replace any non-productive phone time with micro-learning, breathing exercises, and more. 

I haven’t yet decided how to share about the journey (as I don’t want to create something that will cause me to spend even more time on socials) but I do welcome along anyone to the journey of recapturing life itself, and putting away our phones a bit more.

What’s Next with GITG101:

Summer League is around the corner.  Daniel Marks and myself will be hosting a 2-night on-line Summer League Crash Course (July 1 & 2, 5-7p PT / 8-10p ET).  Anyone is welcome but it’s geared specifically to helping you navigate and make the most of your time at Summer League.  It is also a way to start to build relationships and connect with others prior to going.  Use promo: SUMMERLEAGUE for 10% off. 

Stat of the Day: our SOTD team is creating analytical content for our socials.  We have partnered with Cerebro Sports and Cleaning the Glass to provide free accounts for those who would like to be a part of the SOTD team (you need to have completed at least 1 course with us).

GITG101 NBA Draft Course: with our GITG101 Mock Draft around the corner, on Tuesday, I just want to give out some thanks for all those who participated and made the course great.  Bjorn Zetterberg and Mike Visenberg who co-host the courses and take everything to the next level.  Kendra Chaney and Sunny Ahlawalia who are stalwart contributors and teachers.  Alex Burns, our all-star Ops Intern who has helped level up our whole business.  Jacob Sutton (howdy@dotmaker.design– if you need a website built!) who built our new website.   Our Ambassadors who helped prep the course, Philip Kirsch, Greg Waters, Jake Apostol, Kyle Goodier.  All of our teachers who came to share… from Mason Plumlee, to former students Scott Brown, John Lichtenstein, Chip Jones, to coaches Bret Burchard and Jay Triano, pre-draft trainers Matt Jones and Steve Becker, NBA Trainer legend Bob Medina, Spencer Pearlman, Ben Falk of Cleaning the Glass, Ryan Girardot of Cerebro Sports, KC Beard from the University of Houston, the legend of Ruth Kaiser, and Nike Hoop Summit World Team Coach Marshall Cho. 

And mostly, thank you to all of our students.  Obviously, none of this would happen without you signing up for the Course.  We appreciate you trusting us with your professional growth and are always so thankful to get to know and spend time with you while talking hoops and life.