NBA coaches look for balance between wins, development

Billy Donovan challenges Oklahoma City’s young players to slow down and consider their strengths, focus first on defense and always think about whether the best decision is to shoot or pass. Then, just be patient and teach the rest of the game’s nuances over time.

It can be a painful process for NBA coaches — and a costly one.

Many coaches are striking the delicate balance between pushing inexperienced players enough for the players and team to succeed while realizing that the learning curve in the league can be a long one. The pace of the NBA can be daunting for newcomers. There is typically little time for extensive practices, so players must make strides on the fly and are thrown into the fire to learn as they go.

“The more you play, the more the game slows down and you understand situations. Like I know what I’m capable of but I also know paying attention to their coverage, what they’re going to do,” Thunder guard Chris Paul said. “I always say this, ‘At the end of the day, it’s a game.’ It’s a game, so you just figure it out.”

And if they don’t, both might be out of a job.

When it comes to player development, there’s no one-size-fits all definition. Perhaps it might be a player fine-tuning one element of his game, maybe becoming a more consistent 3-point threat. Whatever it is, for coaches much of developing a player’s game comes through constant communication.

Donovan starts with a question: “Does he know who he is as a player?” That helps Oklahoma City’s staff consider a player’s status in the rotation.

“I think a young player needs to learn to be reliable,“said Donovan, the Thunder’s fifth-year coach. “That’s the first thing. Generally you’re talking about defense.

“I think so many times with a lot of young players they want to come for development and they just want to focus on their offense. They’re going to be on defense way, way more than they’re going to be handling and shooting.”

In Boston, coach Brad Stevens relies heavily on the team’s sports science stats to determine what a player’s body best needs on any given day during the grind of a season. It’s how the Celtics strive to keep players on one of the youngest teams in the league fresh while finding ways to teach and develop.

The Golden State Warriors (6-24) have struggled while relying on inexperienced players because of injuries to stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as well as Kevin Durant’s departure in free agency. Hours before tipoff on any given game day fans arriving early might see a variety of Warriors coaching faces on the floor guiding the long list of young Golden State players.

Coach Steve Kerr has placed an even greater emphasis on development, noting, “given the number of young players we’ve added positions to the staff and we’ve really re-evaluated everything we’ve done.” The Warriors’ greater commitment to player development stemmed from starting the season with a roster featuring nine players age 23 or younger.

CHRIS SZAGOLA / ASSOCIATED PRESS Celtics coach Brad Stevens talks things over with his team during a game. The Celtics are one of the youngest NBA teams.