Episode 120: Zan Tabak, Modern Post Play

Episode 120: Zan Tabak, Modern Post Play

Guest: Zan Tabak, Former NBA Player and Current Professional Head Coach

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, former NBA player and current professional head coach Žan Tabak joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss modern post play.

Tabak currently serves as a head coach for Basket Zielona Góra of the Polish Basketball League and the main coach of the Slovak national team. His basketball career, spanning twenty years, was marked by several notable achievements, including being the first international player to play in the NBA Finals for two teams.

Tabak was chosen in the 2nd Round of the draft, (51st pick) of the NBA by the Houston Rockets. Between 1992 and 1994 he played in the Italian League where the best basketball in Europe was being played. In his two seasons in Italy, both Libertas Livorno and Olimpia Milano, averaged double figures in both points and rebounds. He spent 6 seasons in the NBA in two stages, playing in the NBA Finals twice and winning a championship ring, with the Houston Rockets. He played for four teams in the NBA - Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtic and Indiana Pacers.

His coaching career started as a scout for the NBA Houston Rockets. He worked as a technical assistant to Joan Plaza for several seasons, both at Real Madrid and in Seville, before becoming a head coach. As the head coach, he has coached in leagues such as LEB, ACB (3 teams), the Euroleague, the Polish League, and the Israeli League.

Breakdown

1:00 - How his Philosophy Changed

2:30 - Changes in Post Play

7:00 - Modern Pick-and-Roll Players

10:30 - Value of Teaching all Players

12:00 - Developing Hand-Eye Coordination

13:40 - One-on-One on the Post

15:30 - Read and React, Make Decisions

18:00 - Skill Development on the Perimeter

20:00 - Pick and Roller Catches

23:00 - Can and Can't Score on the Post

26:30 - Double Team