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SJ: First off…I must inform you that you’re talking to the two world’s greatest Lakers fans, although Jack Nicholson THINKS he is, LOL. So tell Kobe & the Purple & Gold Crew that Reg & Ray said….GOOOOO MIGHTY Lake Show!

You are the Lakers’ Director of International Scouting—What does your role entail?

Adam: I’m in charge of scouting the entire international scene. International scouting is a big part of the NBA. European basketball affects the whole of the NBA. NBA teams have to know what’s going on with European players and how it can affect the draft. I’m based in Italy, which is centrally located from an international basketball perspective. I’ve been with the Lakers for 10 years and with the NBA for 13 years.

SJ: What NBA players have you scouted that have achieved NBA success?

Adam: Among many others…Pau & Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, and Tony Parker…all of whom I scouted when they were really young. I also scouted Manu Ginobli. I was not, however, working for the Lakers at the time. Manu was playing in the Italian 2nd Division. He had an unorthodox shooting form, but was a great competitor. What really caught my attention was that he was so athletic and smart. He was the 2nd to the last pick in the 1999 draft. I bet if that draft could be done over, Manu would be a top 4 pick. I got into scouting and player development at the right time.

SJ: We couldn’t agree with you more about Manu. He’s a great player.

What other basketball or other sports-related-jobs have you had…in the NBA and otherwise?

Adam: I’ve always worked in basketball…specifically in scouting. I’ve been involved as such since age 25. I started in Europe, then went on to the NBA. I also got involved with individual player development coaching. Scouting and player development complement each other. Scouting is the blueprint for player development.

SJ: You played semi-pro basketball.—where & when? Could you have gone farther? Why, why not?

Adam: I played in the “B League” in Italy, after I’d played in youth leagues. It was semi-pro and I was not satisfied with that. But I had some injuries and had to have reconstructive surgery. So, I had to give up that dream. I still loved the game though and wanted to be a part of it. Hence, I got into scouting & player development.

SJ: We read the Foreword to your new book…“Shoot Like The Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique“, so we have a feel for the answer to this question. But for our readers who haven’t done so yet…What inspired you to write this book?

Adam: As I said previously, I’ve focused a great deal on player development. I’ve always enjoyed teaching…shooting the most, with emphasis on player technique. Initially, I didn’t know I was writing a book, as I was originally writing an article. But I loved writing on the subject and the article became a booklet and then a book.

SJ: I (Reg) was never a very good basketball player…barely made my HS school team. I could never shoot worth a dime…wish I’d had your book…Fred Flintstone & I definitely coulda used it, LOL. But I shudder at what I see today as a lack of overall fundamental soundness in so many of today’s players. Is it just me? …Do you also that?….in general and in shooting? Why is that? What happened? Why aren’t fundamentals taught more diligently?

Adam: I grew up watching & studying the game in the 80′s. No question that overall fundamentals have declined. Part of the reason is shorter college basketball seasons & restrictions on practice time. Hence, there’s not enough time to properly work on fundamentals. Also, many of today’s players do not study the history of the game. Therefore, they aren’t aware of the greatness in fundamentals that many great former players possessed. A counter-example though is Kobe Bryant. His father was a friend of mine and “Jelly Bean” instilled in Kobe at an early age a respect for & need to grasp the game’s history. So, Kobe became a student of the game at an early age.

SJ: Who could benefit from reading/following the instructions/guidance of this book?

Adam: Players and coaches at any level will benefit from this book. The great ones know how to coach themselves…Kobe Bryant for example. But players at all levels need direction and must be given resources so they can learn to coach themselves.

SJ: Who have been &/or are your greatest influencers in basketball in general and of great shooting technique?..and in what way?

Adam: I developed my own way of coaching and teaching shooting. However, I’ve been influenced to some degree with my shooting drills by Lakers’ assistant coach Bill Bertka’s overall methodology for basketball drills.

I’ve been a great observer since I was a kid. I still like to watch people…how they walk, talk, dress, act, react, etc. Scouting is observing. By watching players, I found that there are a lot of great shooters, but they all don’t shoot the same. There is no perfect shot.

SJ: Give us the names of a few great players who in your mind exhibit or exhibited great shooting technique.

Adam: I’ve studied many great shooters. I was mesmerized by Oscar Schmidt, the greatest shooter I’ve ever seen, yet he never played in the NBA. Walter Davis seemingly did not miss. Brian Winters was another great shooter that majorly impressed me. Glen Rice and Ray Allen have shown the most consistent forms.

SJ: Phil Jackson said of your book…”The best book on this topic that I have ever read.” HMMMMmmm…Let’s see…”PJ” has 11 rings. I’d say that you can’t have a more solid endorsement than that of “PJ”. So, where can our readers purchase your great book?

Adam: My book can be purchased both online…ie, Amazon…or at bookstores.

SJ: Is there a link, phone number &/or publisher contact email address that our readers may have in case they want further pre-purchase information?

Adam: Josh Williams
Associate Publicist | Triumph Books | 542 S. Dearborn, Ste. 750 | Chicago, IL 60605 | (312) 252-1261 / (608) 469-8027 | j.williams@triumphbooks.com | www.triumphbooks.com

SJ: So…AHEM…”objectively” speaking…assess the Lakers’ chances for the 3-peat, please.

Adam: I like our chances. I’d be really happy for “PJ”. The League is a lot more competitive though. We are not superior to anyone, but as I see it there’s only a couple of teams that have the potential to beat us four times. I have tremendous respect for the Celtics, Spurs, and Heat. I think the Spurs have the experience but maybe not the personnel. The Celtics have both. The Bulls, I think, while possessing Rose and playing at a high level, are a bit too inexperienced right now. The Heat are simply extremely talented. Having said all of that, I see added excitement to come from the likes of the Blazers, Nuggets, and Thunder.

SJ: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview, Adam. Good luck with your book and your career. Please pass along our thanks to Josh & Stephen at Triumph Books for organizing this interview and providing the books for our giveaway-promotions*.

*For a chance to win copies of Adam’s book, play SJ NBA PLAYOFFS SWAMI.

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Conducted by Reg DeVone (SJ Co-owner/Admin) & Ray DeVone (Jabberhead, SJ Contributing Author)

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