Finding Your Who
Working in the NBA
“My single greatest determining factor in my success or failure would be my WHO, who I chose to surround myself with.” – Jim Collins
Those who have successfully grown in their basketball careers have always had someone who believed in them.
One of the most important things you can do is to find that person.
I had a varied 15-year career with the Portland Trail Blazers. I was Kaleb Canales’ Intern. He did everything he could to help me learn and grow and succeed, in basketball and in life. I worked for Kevin Pritchard (GM) and Chad Buchanan (Director of Scouting / GM) who also let me sit in on trade meetings and draft meetings so that I could grow and develop.
A few years later, they were all gone… having moved on to other franchises.
I stayed with the Trail Blazers because I loved the city, the organization, and community I had built there.
But something I learned after all of my guys left… I didn’t have a WHO. I didn’t have anyone invested in my growth and development. The new staff had come in and brought in their guys. And I was a bit of a leftover. In this sense, I am still thankful that they let me continue working there and I got to work alongside some incredible staff but opportunities for growth in my career were no longer existent.
In my younger career, I had opportunities to jump teams but that didn’t interest me. Over time, I learned the WHY behind the WHO.
When someone hires you, they are invested in your career. The same as when a team drafts someone in the 1st round. They will have priority over free agents, vet minimums, and second round picks… regardless of who helps the team win. That 1st round pick’s performance is attached to the GM and staff who drafted them. The GM (staff) needs that player to succeed to prove their worth and value in their role.
Not dissimilar to someone who hires you as their Intern. They want to see you succeed. They want a Coaching / Front Office tree. They are there for you and your growth.
And this can be at any level: high school, college, professional. Finding someone who is invested in you (all facets, professionally and personally) will be one of the things that adds far more value to your life and career than anything else.