‘To be a champion, master the fundamentals’

As talented as he is, NBA champion Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just transform into one of the quickest and most explosive basketball players in the world overnight.

Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin stressed the importance of mastering the fundamentals the way the NBA star did as he supervised the Kyrie Irving clinic last Saturday at Treston College Gym in Taguig.

“You can’t really play the game well unless you can play the fundamentals,” said the Ateneo coach during the launch of Irving’s third signature before aspiring basketball players and the media.

“As a coach, I’ve spent most of my life trying to convince players that when you walk in the gym the first thing you do shouldn’t be to pick up the basketball and shoot it,” Baldwin said.

“There’s so many other things you hve to master because, actually, when you’re playing the game you spend very little time with the ball and spend a lot of time playing defense and cutting. There’s a lot to do without the ball.”

Baldwin put the 30 participants, who signed up online, through the paces as they went through drills that tested the Kyrie III’s traction, cushioning, support, responsiveness and court-feel.

Assisting Baldwin in the clinic were Ateneo players Thirdy Ravena, Matt and Mike Nieto, Aaron Black and Jolo Mendoza.

Nike Philippines marketing manager Patrick Reyes said the company will be reaching out more to consumers each time it launches a new product.

“What we’re doing with the innovations this year is we’re really going back to our communities go and engage them,” said Reyes. “We are not just giving them the chance to trial the shoe, but also learn about it.”