Do You Love It?

Working in the NBA

“Over time, if you don’t like something you are doing, in the end, you won’t do it well.  There are people who do like it.  And they will study, give more energy to it, and even if they are less experienced, they will far surpass you.”  – Matt Mochary

When people ask me how they can get their foot in the door into the NBA, I share about multiple positions and ways they can get started.  You can become an expert at Video, Analytics, Coding.  You can get a Law Degree and study the salary cap.  You can go to Medical School.  There are plenty of ways to get your foot into the door in Basketball Operations. 

That being said, I often have people tell me they are learning how to Code but don’t like it but are doing it to get a job in the NBA.  Or that they are headed to Law School but aren’t excited about it.  When I hear this, I cringe and tell them they need to change course.

If you’re doing something you don’t love, you’re going to get tired of it.  And if that’s the tool you’re using to get into the NBA, that will likely be your Internship and then your job in the NBA – something you’re not passionate about.  You don’t just code or do Video for a year and then you are a Coach or Scout.  You will likely do that for multiple seasons or even your entire career. 

You need to gravitate towards something you enjoy.  Because if you enjoy it, you will pour more and more of your own time into becoming an expert in that area.  And if you don’t, there are thousands behind you ready to do it themselves.  Don’t spend your time and energy studying and working at something you aren’t interested in.  If you love basketball, find the part that you’re drawn to and become an expert at it.