Key Points from the Podcast with Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milović

Introduction

• Golden State Warriors assistant coach, Dejan Milović, guest on the basketball podcast.
• Former professional player turned coach, notable for coaching NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
• Achievements include: coaching Mega Basket, Serbian Cup, ABA League Finals, Montenegrin League and Cup titles.
• Served as assistant coach for the Serbian national team.

Coaching Philosophy

Positive Mindset

• Emphasizes positivity in coaching and life.
• Believes that positive thinking leads to positive outcomes.

Belief in Players

• Initially, young players like Jokic lacked self-belief.
• Importance of convincing young players to believe in their capabilities.

Development over Winning

• While focus is on player development, winning is crucial for true development.
• Players must have responsibility and freedom to make mistakes.

Skills and Decision Making

• Skills are foundational but decision-making is paramount.
• Training includes teaching all players all skills and positions, fostering understanding of the game.

Coaching Approach

Player Individualization

• Emphasizes tailoring training to individual player capabilities.
• Examples: Adapting strategies for different big men (e.g., Jokic, Zubac).

Game Situations and Practice

• Replication of game scenarios in practice is key.
• Focus on 'play after the play' for offensive strategies.

Training Techniques

Rebounding

• Teach players to anticipate and position themselves for rebounds.
• Adapt techniques according to player's attributes (e.g., Looney vs. Wiseman).

Passing and Decision Making

• Emphasizes decision-making over pure skill mechanics.
• Encourages a variety of passing techniques based on situation and player comfort.

Competitive Drills

• Importance of making drills competitive to enhance engagement and performance.
• Encourages setting personal goals and metrics for improvement.

Coaching at Golden State Warriors

System and Team Fit

• Recognizes that not all teams can play like Golden State; stresses the importance of using team-specific systems.
• Key elements applicable to any system: unselfish play, extra passes, team chemistry.

Role of Assistant Coach

• Transition from head coach to assistant; new learning experiences.
• Enjoyment in working at a high level with top talents and coaches.

Lessons from Nikola Jokic

• Jokic's ease in development is unique, not a typical case.
• Challenges faced in coaching other players contributed more to Milović’s growth.

Final Thoughts

• The balance of X and O's, relationships with players, and management are crucial.
• Emphasizes the role of a coach as a helper to maximize player potential.

Conclusion

• Insightful discussion on modern coaching practices, player development, and the nuances of coaching at elite levels.