What is the Most and Least Attractive Part of Your NBA Job?

Life in the NBA (Repost 2021)

John, what’s the best part about your job, and what’s the least attractive part? — 

Thanks for the question Terry!

I enjoy answering this question because I think it is very different from what people expect. Many people see the limelight, the superstars, the ‘NBA life’ and are drawn to that. But when it comes down to it, it’s a job. You show up, you work hard, you go home. Cycle, repeat. Just like any other job but with its own nuances.

So what is the best part of the job?

Simply, it’s the people I get to work with.

When I was kid and even all the way through college and when I got into the NBA, my dream was to be a General Manager. To be the guy who built a roster, who made the trades and drafted the players. The guy who helped shape a roster and culture. After a few years in the business, seeing the good sides and the bad, my vision changed. I went from wanting to be the ‘guy’ to wanting to be a part of a well-run franchise and a great group of people. You can’t put a price on good people. It makes all the difference in whether you enjoy your job or not. And when you are in a demanding industry, where you are often with the same people around the clock, 7 days a week, it sure is a good thing to like them. The importance of being in a good city, with a good organization and good staff cannot be understated.

When you work with good people and are working towards a common goal (winning games and ultimately a championship), it’s a hard job to beat.

And the least attractive part…

When I was applying for an unpaid internship with the Trail Blazers, I was told not to expect to have any days off, holidays, weekends… anything. I understood this and gladly accepted the role. But after working 60–90–120 straight days, you start to go a little crazy, literally. My emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being suffered greatly. I had to learn how to compartmentalize different aspects of my role and life to find as healthy of a balance as I could.

Working in a high-stress environment is both attractive and unattractive. I love the thrill of being a part of a team with the goal of winning a championship. But if you fail, it’s a good chance you or others are getting fired. In my time with the Trail Blazers, I’ve worked for 3 Head Coaches and 4 General Managers. I’ve been lucky enough to stick around but expectations are a tough thing. If you miss them, you may lose your job. If you reach them, likely your fellow workers will take the positions of others around the League who have lost theirs. It’s quite the cycle.

Overall, I would say both the most attractive and least attractive qualities of the job are unknown until you are in it. Most people don’t think, I want to work in the NBA to work with some great people and yet many of the most important people in my life today are those I have simply had the opportunity to work with. And I know many of those I work with would say the same thing. On the other side, no one thinks they could ever get tired of working in the NBA, and yet, you may hit breaking point and need to reset. I take time each summer to reevaluate if this is what I want to continue to do. And so far, my answer has been yes.

After 13+ years, I can’t remember a day where I haven’t wanted to go into the office. That’s the beauty of the job… you get to work in the NBA and you get to work with great people. Yes, there are days that I would rather do something else, but I am never disappointed in what I do get to do on a daily basis.