Fitness has been one of the overlooked facets when playing the game of basketball.
And Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight and Boston Celtics legend Dee Brown would like to change that mindset as the duo are in town for the NBA FIT Week.
“Fitness is definitely very important. I think that’s what we’ve been able to share with these young kids here and across the world: how important it is to be fit,” said Knight.
The 24-year-old guard made it clear that keeping their bodies in check truly has been beneficial in their young NBA career.
“We wouldn’t be where we’re at, this situation in an environment where we have to be fit, if we didn’t take care of our bodies, being active, eating the right things, getting the proper rest. We have to do all those things to be successful and to be top notch athletes in the NBA,” he said.
Brown, who also served as a director of player development in Orlando, Detroit, Sacramento and Denver, also shared that their goal this week is to impart these knowledge to the young Filipino kids as they begin their basketball journeys.
“I think the biggest thing we’re trying to teach is to take care of your body. You see on our shirts: ‘Be active, be healthy, and play together.’ And that’s what NBA FIT is promoting,” he said.
“We always talk about coaches’ x and o’s and drills, making shots, and taking defense. But taking care of your body is just as important. You have to eat well, get your rest. If that’s the tool you’re going to use to be a great athlete, you got to take care of it.”
Brown also shared that knowing these stuff would better prepare the athletes in the long run as they hope to extend their playing careers.
“If you understand that if you take care of your body, that’s what will keep you on the court. The information then wasn’t out there and the tools that a lot of these young players now have, it’s just amazing. That’s why Kobe Bryant can play 20 years, Tim Duncan to play 19 years, and Kevin Garnett, they take care of their bodies off the court. They’re not just great players with the time they put in on the court, but they took the time to take care of their bodies,” he said. “If you start at a young age and understand how important those things are, I think it will last your career for a long time and maybe get to a higher level quicker.”
Knight and Brown will lead the 2016 Gatorade Training Center at Gatorade Hoops Center on Shaw Boulevard on Tuesday, where they will lead in teaching elite Filipino athletes and coaches the best practices for fitness and conditioning.
They will also be out and about the metro for the rest of the week, which includes an interactive fan event at BGC Amphitheater on Wednesday, a health and wellness event at NBA Store at TriNoma, and an NBA Cares clinic with the Special Olympics Philippines on Thursday.
“We’re very excited to get a chance to do the things we’ll do here because the people love basketball so much,” said Brown.
