Austin Nichols: Breaking In
As promised, we’re back with another look at the summer of French League MVP Austin Nichols. Nichols, who has been a busy little bee, just completed a Spurs mini camp. His hope is to stick with the team for summer league and training camp, but he’s on more than one radar. Teams are interested in the sharp shooting wing. Last week he participated in a short camp in Dallas and he has a camp in Cleveland on the 27th and 28th of this month.
This is a summer of big opportunities for Austin, and he’s doing his best to make the most of it. Prior to his mini-camp tour, Nichols spent time with trainer Phil Handy. We spoke briefly about what he was working on to improve his game, and he was kind enough to describe his typical day.
“In the morning I’m hitting the weights pretty hard. Really working on trying to improve my upper body strength and my core. The idea is to become more explosive. After the weights, we’re doing pool workouts to improve my endurance,” he began.
“After we’re through with all that, I hit the court with Phil.  We work on my footwork (both shooting and ball handling) as well as ball handling itself.  I have to tighten up my footwork so I can do everything faster while staying efficient.  I know that’s what the NBA demands. I also work on my ball handling because I have to get better at creating space for myself and my shot.”
That’s sounds like a full day, but part of the benefit of working with a trainer is pushing yourself a little harder. So, I wasn’t surprised to learn that Nichols’ days extended into the evening.
“At night, I come back to the gym just to get some shots up. I’m working on getting out of my comfort zone while trying to maintain my speed, form and follow through when I’m tired.”
Austin Nichols is an accomplished professional basketball player, but not all professional leagues are created equal. And the one constant I hear from him is his desire to work as hard as he can to make an NBA roster. But you know what they say about all work and no play. I was happy to learn that Austin took a short vacation between the conclusion of his season and joining Phil Handy in Menlo Park.
Clearly, Nichols is putting in the time to get better on the court. I was curious if he had begun to gear himself up for the mental rigors of the process he is now undertaking.
“The mental process I like to take is being over prepared. I try to push myself beyond my capabilities so that I can be as prepared as possible. And I try to block out any negative thoughts, trying my hardest to keep a positive state of mind and leave it all on the court.”
Discouragements do come. Nichols inbound flight to Dallas was delayed, forcing him to arrive late to the start of their mini-camp. But he’s upbeat. He sent a message from his iPhone at the conclusion of his first day of Spurs camp to check in and say things were going well.
Woody Allen once joked that those who can’t do, teach. And those who can’t teach, teach gym. Did all my questions about metal preparedness and drills and diet come across as analysis paralysis to Nichols?
“I think that people like you do their job, and it’s your job to analyze. It’s inevitable that some over analyzing occurs, but as a player all you can do is play. That’s what being a professional is to me. Being able to do your job regardless of what is said or what’s going on.”
So, what would surprise me? What is missed in all the gym teacher questions?
“I don’t know if this would qualify as a surprise, but it’s important for a basketball player to refine all the things that don’t show up in the box score. You have to be a perfectionist. Phil constantly tells me how it’s important to be sharp and efficient at the little aspects of the game (footwork, ball handing, etc) because once you’re good at those things you can build and become a better player. So when going through a drill I try to pay attention to every detail of the move that I’m doing to get it as sharp and efficient as I can. So, it’s not just about making shots. It’s about the good foot work that creates the space to make the shot. We work hard at those things.”
Austin and I plan to talk later this week about the specifics of a Spurs mini camp. For now, he’s heading back to the gym prior to Cleveland. Look for another update shortly.