Player development is one of the most underappreciated aspects of the modern-day NBA.
Everyone always talks about the superstars, the narratives surrounding said superstars and the evolving style of play defined by players shooting more threes as the key features of what makes the NBA the entertainment product it is today.
No one talks about the delicate process of identifying talent, then turning them into high-quality players that fit the mold of the franchise.
Well, that’s exactly what former NBA All-Star and current Knicks executive Allan Houston did when he talked to our class on Friday. As someone who both played the game and managed the game as a front office member, Houston had great insight about what it takes to develop players, and why it is so important.
When discussing how he came into the role of an executive in an NBA front office, Houston was very candid in mentioning that he initially never thought he wanted to be an executive, nor did he have any interest in player acquisition. However, when his former coach Larry Brown suggested he would be a good talent developer, he gave it a try.
“What drove me was seeing how (a player) can walk in the door one way, and walk out of it with a new skill set ready for their next chapter,” Houston said.
This “player-first” mindset is refreshing to see in the “business-first” minded landscape of sports front offices. Surely Houston’s perspective as a former player is what led him to strongly advocate for this belief, as he has firsthand experience of what it requires for a team to be successful, and how to put athletes in the best spot to do.
This is especially true when you consider how far player development goes in building a successful franchise. If you look at a current team like the Memphis Grizzlies, you will see that their success stems not from star power, but rather from their bevy of young depth pieces who were overlooked by other organizations, and how their player operations team identified and developed them into players that fit their culture.
In Houston’s case with the Knicks, he noted how important it is to have a player who can set the tone for the franchise in terms of culture. For the Knicks, that player is Jalen Brunson. Everyone else after him falls in line.
“One thing is that you got to have a great leader, so much of it is who you have in that seat,” Houston said. “They establish the playing style and culture of the franchise. Then everyone else can figure out where they can fit in.”
Patience is a key ingredient for player development. Houston noted how every player in the NBA was probably once the best player and top scorer on their youth, high school and even college teams. However, there’s only one ball to go around on the court, and thus players need to go through the ropes in learning what their strengths are, and how they can best maximize them for the betterment of the team.
“Everyone in the league says you need to work on this and this, but the big factor is when are you going to be able to do that?” Houston said.
Family was another focal point during Houston’s press conference, and perhaps was the biggest tell as to why Houston ended up where he is now in his career.
Houston, a father of seven, told a poignant story of when he decided to play under his father, Wade Houston, at Tennessee as opposed to going to Louisville, his father’s alma mater. Wade Houston, the SEC’s first black head basketball coach, allowed the young Allan to make mistakes and grow as not only a player, but as a young man, as well.
“Speaking of development, I knew he was going to make me better,” Allan said, referring to playing for his father. “When I got to the NBA, I became a lot more grateful for his role as a coach. Young men need to have a healthy and honest relationship with that father figure.”
The contributions from guys like Houston–as a player, an executive and a family figure–are the backbone for sustained success in both the NBA and in life. Houston’s journey emphasizes the importance of shifting focus away from the individual, and instead to the support system around the individual. A testament to how success often comes down to the people who believe in you.
Lessons in Player Development from Allan Houston
Player development is one of the most underappreciated aspects of the modern-day NBA.
Everyone always talks about the superstars, the narratives surrounding said superstars and the evolving style of play defined by players shooting more threes as the key features of what makes the NBA the entertainment product it is today.
No one talks about the delicate process of identifying talent, then turning them into high-quality players that fit the mold of the franchise.
Well, that’s exactly what former NBA All-Star and current Knicks executive Allan Houston did when he talked to our class on Friday. As someone who both played the game and managed the game as a front office member, Houston had great insight about what it takes to develop players, and why it is so important.
When discussing how he came into the role of an executive in an NBA front office, Houston was very candid in mentioning that he initially never thought he wanted to be an executive, nor did he have any interest in player acquisition. However, when his former coach Larry Brown suggested he would be a good talent developer, he gave it a try.
“What drove me was seeing how (a player) can walk in the door one way, and walk out of it with a new skill set ready for their next chapter,” Houston said.
This “player-first” mindset is refreshing to see in the “business-first” minded landscape of sports front offices. Surely Houston’s perspective as a former player is what led him to strongly advocate for this belief, as he has firsthand experience of what it requires for a team to be successful, and how to put athletes in the best spot to do.
This is especially true when you consider how far player development goes in building a successful franchise. If you look at a current team like the Memphis Grizzlies, you will see that their success stems not from star power, but rather from their bevy of young depth pieces who were overlooked by other organizations, and how their player operations team identified and developed them into players that fit their culture.
In Houston’s case with the Knicks, he noted how important it is to have a player who can set the tone for the franchise in terms of culture. For the Knicks, that player is Jalen Brunson. Everyone else after him falls in line.
“One thing is that you got to have a great leader, so much of it is who you have in that seat,” Houston said. “They establish the playing style and culture of the franchise. Then everyone else can figure out where they can fit in.”
Patience is a key ingredient for player development. Houston noted how every player in the NBA was probably once the best player and top scorer on their youth, high school and even college teams. However, there’s only one ball to go around on the court, and thus players need to go through the ropes in learning what their strengths are, and how they can best maximize them for the betterment of the team.
“Everyone in the league says you need to work on this and this, but the big factor is when are you going to be able to do that?” Houston said.
Family was another focal point during Houston’s press conference, and perhaps was the biggest tell as to why Houston ended up where he is now in his career.
Houston, a father of seven, told a poignant story of when he decided to play under his father, Wade Houston, at Tennessee as opposed to going to Louisville, his father’s alma mater. Wade Houston, the SEC’s first black head basketball coach, allowed the young Allan to make mistakes and grow as not only a player, but as a young man, as well.
“Speaking of development, I knew he was going to make me better,” Allan said, referring to playing for his father. “When I got to the NBA, I became a lot more grateful for his role as a coach. Young men need to have a healthy and honest relationship with that father figure.”
The contributions from guys like Houston–as a player, an executive and a family figure–are the backbone for sustained success in both the NBA and in life. Houston’s journey emphasizes the importance of shifting focus away from the individual, and instead to the support system around the individual. A testament to how success often comes down to the people who believe in you.
Dylan Kane