Episode 31 – Garrett Boorojian and Lionel Hollins discuss relationship building in a team environment.
This interview took place when Lionel was an Assistant Coach of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
Lionel talked to Garrett about the key elements of relationship building and how they have applied in the NBA from his experiences as a former NBA player, head coach and assistant coach.
Lionel discussed the similarities and differences from a basketball perspective of several players, teams and coaches, the style and manner in which the game is played today, the emphasis on less structure and more of a fast-paced game today, and the effects of social media pertaining to the media and analysis of every move a player and team makes resulting in mental health issues amongst players today.
Lionel stated that in this era of basketball, the fundamentals have not developed as quickly with younger players as they rely more on athleticism. However, no matter the era of basketball, players still have to score, rebound, assist, defend, cause turnovers, win the time of possession, and overall execute and play team basketball in any coaching system that’s implemented. NBA is modernized with all the resources for players to train, heal, and perform to the best of their abilities.
As per Lionel, not every coaching system works for a team but the right system for the right players is what makes NBA Championship teams effective, dominant and hard to beat.
Specifically, Lionel talked about the similarities and differences from a basketball standpoint in the 1993 Chicago Bulls’ and Phoenix Suns’ NBA Finals matchup, highlighting Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. Lionel played against both of them earlier in his playing career. Garrett, as a great NBA fan, has met both Michael and Charles.
Whether it’s Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, or Bill Russell, etc., Lionel explained that players today would have challenges to guard these elite players from their respective generations.
Tune into Episode 31 for more of the conversation between Garrett and Lionel about relationship building in a team environment.
Lionel played in three NBA Finals, winning one championship:
1977: (NBA Champions): Portland Trail Blazers (4-2 vs. Philadelphia 76ers)
1980: (Eastern Conference Champions): Philadelphia 76ers (4-2 vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
1982: (Eastern Conference Champions): Philadelphia 76ers (4-2 vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
Lionel coached in two NBA Finals as an Assistant Coach, winning one championship:
1993: (Western Conference Champions): Phoenix Suns (4-2 vs. Chicago Bulls)
2020: (NBA Champions): Los Angeles Lakers (4-2 vs. Miami Heat)
Lionel just missed playing in four NBA Finals. After his final year in Philadelphia, he played for the San Diego Clippers. After their 1980 and 1982 losses, the 1983 76ers swept the Lakers 4-0 in the NBA Finals.
Lionel’s Professional Career Accolades:
- NBA First Round Draft Pick (1975, 6th Pick Overall)
- NBA Career Averages: 11.6 Points Per Game, 4.5 Assists Per Game, 1.6 Steals Per Game)
- 2x NBA Champion (1977, 2020)
- 3x Western Conference Champion (1977, 1993, 2020)
- 2x Eastern Conference Champion (1980, 1982)
- NBA All-Star (1978)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team (1978)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1979)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1976)
- 262 wins as an NBA head coach and won three NBA playoff series
- Jersey Retirements: #14 Portland Trail Blazers and #33 Arizona State Sun Devils
- Third Team All-American (Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches, 1975)
- 2x First Team All-Western Athletic Conference (1974, 1975)