1-on-1 with Chris Oliver and Alex Sarama Guest: Alex Sarama, NBA Basketball Operations In this basketball coaching conversation, Alex Sarama of NBA Europe asks questions, and discusses, a games approach to coaching concepts with the creative mind behind Basketball Immersion, Chris Oliver. Chris and Alex discuss the value of 1-on-0 drills and adding a defender can change skill development. Alex Sarama has been working for the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2016. In his current role as Associate Manager, Basketball Operations, Alex manages NBA initiatives across Europe, Middle East & Africa. Alex’s role involves working with stakeholders, governments and Federations to grow the game of basketball across three continents. He travels frequently throughout these regions to deliver NBA clinics for coaches and players of all levels, in addition to supporting marquee NBA events such as Basketball without Borders, NBA Global Camp and NBA Global Games. Breakdown: 0:00 - Introduction 1:21 - Role in Helping the Growth of Basketball Overseas 4:00 - Club Youth Program 4:40 - Basketball Techniques Context 6:00 - Drills driven by a Coach 7:30 - Progression in Practice 9:14 - “If you don't have a defender, You don't have a Decision” 9:30 - Game-Like Drill 10:43 - Skills over Decision Making? 11:30 - Developing Perceived Confidence, Coaches Comfort and Tradition 13:00 - Evaluating the GAME and Tradition 16:00 - “Without Technical Ability, It is Harder” 16:30 - Thinking Solutions 17:10 - Handling Signals and the Decision of Player 20:00 - Decision Cues 21:00 - Playing 1-on-1 at the rim 22:00 - Decisions against Live Defenders 23:00 - Off the Ball Stuffs 23:41 - Player Workouts: 1-and-0 24:10 - Practical Value 25:00 - Layups at the Top of your Head Misconception 26:00 - Gap in a Clean Drill 27:00 - Knowing the Advantage in the Drill 28:00 - Drills and the Purpose 28:45 - Isolated Shooting Practice plus Decision Making 29:40 - Player Learning and Optimal Challenges 31:00 - Finding the Best Solution 32:30 - Discussion about the 1-on-1 Drills 34:00 - Working Closeout 35:00 - Dribble and Direction Limits 36:39 - Block and the Danger 38:37 - Starting Specific Scenarios 39:39 - Emphasizing Dribble Drive 41:00 - “Decisions are also Skills” 42:37 - 2-on-1 Situations 44:00 - Emphasis on Defense and Offense 46:00 - “Just add a Defender” 48:00 - Playing 5-on-5 to start Practice and Applying Defense 49:00 - Spin Dribble 50:00 - Messy on Purpose 51:00 - Conclusion on Games Approach   Alex Sarama’s Bio Bio: https://www.btmbasketball.com/2018/01/31/british-alex-sarama-on-working-for-the-nba/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexJSarama   Basketball Immersion Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.