Christina Fauria interviews Matt Barnes, former NBA player and host of 'All The Smoke.' Matt shares his journey from being a highly recruited high school football player to a successful NBA career. He discusses how the traits of competitiveness, resilience, and tenacity from football transitioned into his basketball career. Barnes also delves into his experiences coaching his sons' AAU team, the influence of mentors like John Wooden and high school coaches, and the challenges and rewards of parenting in today’s landscape. This episode provides a deep dive into the importance of mental toughness, relating to the next generation, and navigating the evolving world of youth sports.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Career Overview

00:45 Transition from Football to Basketball

02:45 High School and College Journey

04:21 UCLA Summer Runs and Learning from the Pros

08:06 Coaching Philosophy and Raising Kids

11:50 Balancing Sports and Life Lessons

15:44 Influential Coaches and Mentors

16:58 Influential Coaches and Early Mentors

17:21 Coaching Philosophy and AAU Critique

19:37 Challenges and Solutions in AAU Basketball

22:27 Handling Failure and Mental Toughness

26:40 Parenting and Coaching Balance

32:49 The Importance of Mental Toughness