One of the best conversations I’ve ever had with a young basketball professional. Usman Garuba is one of the better youth players that Real Madrid has produced. Usman made the tough move from Real Madrid to the NBA, being drafted in the first round with the 23rd pick in 2021. That season he spent with the Houston Rockets, and proceeded to play and win the EuroBasket Gold with Spain in the summer. Usman has been playing to earn more and more minutes as a role player both with the Rockets and the Warriors. At Real Madrid (one of the best clubs outside of the NBA), he excelled at this position as a forward or more traditional big. However, the NBA brings different dynamics that makes it tremendously tougher in many aspects. In this episode Usman discerns the different mechanisms and mechanics of playing as a role player in the ACB/EuroLeague versus the NBA - The best club-basketball competitions in the world. 

I was very impressed with Usman's knowledge and understanding of the game, as well as his self-awareness, rationality and ability to understand his surroundings. This conversation will hopefully deep dive into how tough it is to make the NBA even as an intelligent and previously successful role player. 

Recorded on May 11th

Time Stamps

00:00:00 Intro + What does Usman do after the regular season?

00:01:25 Usmans success as a youth player in Europe and Real Madrid

00:02:30 When did Usman feel ready to go to the NBA?

00:03:30 Experience playing against pros as a 16-year old with Real Madrid04:45 Preparing to play against the physicality of the ACB/EuroLeague as a youth player?

00:05:00 Do not commit these mistakes if you want to play on the highest level in Europe

00:08:00 What made Usman successful as a youth player, and able to play with the pros

00:10:06 What are the keys for playing defense in Europe?00:12:00 Guarding bigger players as an “undersized” big

00:14:00 Defending guards, who are quick and good scorers? Keys to guarding them.

00:16:50 Guarding NBA guards versus European guards?

00:20:45 How the Warriors educate their Role Players - Reading the game

00:24:45 Modeling Usman's game after Draymond Green's game?

00:26:30 The NBA Big Men-Trends. Playing a Fake-5

00:27:30 How Coaches control the game in Europe versus the NBA? Playing the same plays? 

00:29:30 Making your own reads in the NBA versus EuroLeague - NBA responsibilities

00:31:50 Preparing mentally in the NBA versus Europe

00:35:30 The Other Factors that you can manipulate to become better at basketball, outside of basketball.

00:37:00 The Warriors Nutrition-plan and Weight Room-plans for Usman 

00:39:00 Resources in the NBA versus Real Madrid? 

00:41:00 All the things you need to do outside of basketball to prove yourself

00:43:40 The best tip for youth players if they want to make it

00:45:00 The challenges to play in the G-League where everybody wants to prove themselves

00:47:00 What NBA-teams are looking for in G-League players 

00:49:00 Usman’s wisdom and knowledge at a helping him succeed early in his career

00:52:00 Performing at your maximum effort in this profession. There is every factor for it.

00:55:00 How hard it is to be overseas away from your family

00:59:00 Watching Facundo Campazzo up close

01:00:00 Why do some European-players play very well in the NBA but not others?

01:04:00 Challenges not playing the Game and being confident 

01:07:00 How to adjust playing physically in Europe versus the NBA?

01:09:30 Players returning to Europe over making more money in the NBA?

01:11:00 Usman’s great and supportive friends

01:15:00 Playing with the National Team this summer

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