Episode 196: George Galanopoulos, Ball Screen Concepts, and Coaching Internationally And In The G-League

Artwork for podcast The Basketball Podcast

Episode 196 • 29th December 2021 • The Basketball Podcast • Chris Oliver

Guest: George Galanopoulos, Texas Legends NBA G-League Head Coach

Texas Legends NBA G-League head coach George Galanopoulos joins the Basketball Podcast to share his insights on defense, ball screen concepts, and coaching internationally and in the G-League.

Galanopoulos was a member of the Legends coaching staff for the 2016-17 season serving as an assistant before earning a call-up to the Dallas Mavericks. The 2016-17 season saw the Legends earn the most wins to that point in franchise history and earn a record five NBA Call-Ups. He spent two seasons as a video coordinator for the Mavericks and is currently on the bench with the Summer League team in Las Vegas. His first role with the Legends came out of an internship with the Mavericks as well when he went from player development intern in Dallas to assistant coach in Frisco.

In 2017, Galanopoulos was named Uganda National Team Head Coach, a position that he still holds. He has helped spark great success for the Uganda program as they compete for their place in African and FIBA basketball.

Along with G League, NBA, and FIBA international, Galanopoulos’ resume includes collegiate experience. While at Indiana University, Galanopoulos worked with the Hoosiers’ men’s basketball team, which helped propel him to his first position with the NBA G League’s Bakersfield Jam.

After the Jam experience, Galanopoulos then ventured overseas to coach in New Zealand’s NBL, returning to the States the following March hungry for another opportunity in the NBA. Having previously interned under Mike Procopio at legendary trainer Tim Grover’s Attack Athletics in Chicago, Galanopoulos reconnected with his old boss, now a player development coach with the Mavericks spearheading their expansive internship program. Procopio minted Galanopoulos as one of the Mavs’ 12 player development interns for the ‘15–16 season.

Breakdown

1:00 - Balancing National Team and G-League

3:00 - Roster Inconsistencies

6:00 - A Better Coach

9:00 - Culture and Building a Roster

12:30 - Basketball Around The World

15:00 - Evaluating The Game

17:00 - Process of Winning and Losing

19:00 - International Trends

21:00 - Determining Pick and Roll Coverage

27:00 - Determining Defensive Coverages

30:00 - Defending Spain's Pick and Roll