Comparing players across eras

“The Last Dance” documentary about Michael Jordan and the 1998 Chicago Bulls has raised debates about where MJ and other top players rank all-time.

ESPN’s masterful documentary series “The Last Dance” has concluded, leaving many with a hard stance that Michael Jordan is in fact, the G.O.A.T. Naturally, that has also led to many to also rise up in opposition, laying claim that LeBron James or someone else is actually the greatest. Once these debates start, other names wind up stirring into the mix - Russell, Wilt, Magic, Kareem, and so on.

More now than before his passing, Kobe Bryant is making his way into top-3 debates as well. Bryant clearly modeled his game after Jordan and had the ability, determination, and competitive tenacity to pull it off. The two were similar but found themselves in many different circumstances throughout their careers. How can we accurately compare individuals in a team sport that were in varied circumstances, let alone different eras of the sport of basketball?

LeBron James is a competitor, hard worker, and basketball savant. His combination of size, strength, and skill is unprecedented. However, it is known that Jordan and Bryant were MORE competitive than James. Winning matters and LeBron is not on pace to win as Jordan won. So, does winning in the ’90s outweigh being a dominant force in the 2000s?

There are clearly many questions inside these debates. The variables are immense across the history of basketball. Wilt Chamberlain was incredibly gifted and built for the sport of basketball. Wilt averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season. However, the level of competition was undeniably low. Bill Russell was a great defender and teammate and he amassed 11 championships, but his Celtics only played seven other teams and owned a talent monopoly over the league for years. Also, neither Wilt nor Russell had the aid of the three-point line.

Did teams of the past, such as those in Jordan’s championship years really value defense much more than teams of today, or do the teams today just place so much more emphasis on offense than teams of the past?

The game has been evolving over time and each step has been special in its own way. It was fun to watch the Bad Boy Pistons bludgeon opponents. It was fun to watch the recent championship Warriors teams swing the ball and drop impossible long-range bombs.

Comparing players and discussing where the greats rank makes for a fun debate that you can have with almost any basketball fan. That said, it is worth acknowledging that it is actually an impossible task. We will never know how prime Oscar Robinson would perform in 2020. We will never see Jordan and LeBron go head-to-head. We can’t stick Giannis Antetokounmpo in the ’60s.

Debates will rage on, but remember that you are lucky to have seen the basketball players of the past. You are lucky to see today’s players in their primes. You will be lucky to see the next generation of players rise up. We are all witnesses to unique and exciting eras of hoops - that we can all hopefully agree on.

Desmond Polk commits to SIU Edwardsville

The Basketball Movement gym rat Desmond Polk has committed to SIUE and is ready to take his game to the next level.

It has been a long road for Desmond Polk of Link Year Prep, but the journey has finally led to an NCAA Division 1 commitment. Polk has verbally committed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He said that Coach Brian Barone seemed to really want him and the team pursued him hard, despite hurdles.

“My recruitment took a hit last summer,” Polk tells The Basketball Movement. “I wasn’t performing and needed to rebuild myself. SIUE stuck with me.” Polk has been working hard and will be looking to let his new team know that they made the right choice by believing in him.

He does not know anyone on his new team yet but is looking forward to hearing how soon he can get on campus to go to work with his new squad.

“Strength is what I’m working on most,” Polk says about what he needs for the next level of play. “Everyone at this level has to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I’m working on ball handling, consistent shooting, and being a downhill, attacking player.”

Desmond has been at the gym at The Basketball Movement quite a bit in preparation for this big move and we couldn’t be happier to be able to help him on his journey.

“Coach Rob (Yanders) has definitely helped my jump shot. My form is now more comfortable and I’m getting better rotation on the ball.” He says that Yanders is also responsible for helping him become a downhill attacker on offense. “He has helped me make sure that I am thinking north/south instead of east/west.”

Polk was a good player when he first came to The Basketball Movement and we are proud to say that he is already much better. SIUE will be pleasantly surprised with the player he is and we will be watching closely as he continues onward and upward in his hoops career. Congratulations on your selection, Desmond, and good luck!

The Basketball Movement continues

With local restrictions lifting, The Basketball Movement is finally able to open our doors once again.

As cautious optimism spreads across the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, The Basketball Movement is slowly ramping back up. While things may not be back to normal, we are still excited to be back in motion even in a limited capacity.

Individual workouts are back underway at The Basketball Movement, so larger group and team workouts will still have to wait until the next phase. We are currently limiting the number of people in the facility to 10 when possible. It is tough, but we must all crawl before we can walk and be grateful to have our doors open again! We will keep you updated in the coming weeks as plans unfold in these uncertain times.

To inquire about workouts, please email us at basketballmovement@yahoo.com

The Basketball Movement trainers and staff have been blessed with good health to this point and we are feverishly cleaning and sanitizing to continue that trend. We ask that you be patient with us during this limited stretch as we do what is in the best interest of our people!

We will continue establishing a sense of direction before we hit it hard and recommend that you do the same. Stay informed, practice good hygiene, and get some shots up so you don’t come in too rusty!

Thank you to the community for all of your support. We really have a big family here that extends well beyond basketball and we are excited to be back. See you on the court!

What we are missing at The Basketball Movement

As we continue through these uncharted waters, we stop and appreciate what we are missing about The Basketball Movement experience.

Walking into The Basketball Movement is a sensory overload. Overload may be a term that some would shy away from, but for basketball junkies, it is just what you seek out in a gym.

The smell of hardwood is ingrained in the building. It has been that way for years and did not go away when we re-did the floors a few years back. Hoopers know the smell and can still recall it even after being away from the hardwood for a lengthy period of time. It smells like your home away from home. A place where you can shed blood, sweat, and tears for glory, for your brothers/sisters, or just for knowing you put in a helluva day’s work.

Sensory overload comes too from the sounds. Balls bouncing on both courts make the whole facility feel alive. You are not alone here. There are others that share your passion, your goals. They may be older or younger, male or female, professional or youth ball hopefuls. They are here too, smelling that same hardwood scent, shooting at the 10-foot hoop, dreaming of greatness.

There are sounds of shots going up. Many are connecting with the iron, some fall through with that ever-satisfying swish. Everyone hopes their shot is going in. Some do, some don’t. They all get rebounded and lead to more and more work on the journey.

Other sounds come from trainers and players. Some players are communicating with each other - striving for unison under the guidance of a coach. The trainers are barking, constantly producing advice, encouragement, and due criticisms with the goal of improvement for all. The more players succeed, the more the trainers succeed. The more trainers succeed, the more renowned the facility becomes, drawing in more players and more opportunities to produce something special.

Often hip hop music is bumping out of a speaker in the main gym. This lends to the facility’s urban feel, something that is a unique twist in our community. Still, the warm Yanders smile makes everyone feel right at home.

Rob Yanders, The Basketball Movement’s founder is constantly dispensing basketball wisdom, always in motion. He gives his athletes hell, then turns and gives the parents a sly wink. The parents see what is happening, as Rob is just pushing limits, bringing out the best in the players. Really, the players understand as well. Not just any player can step on Rob’s floor. He can tell if you want it or not and he will let you know.

For those players, their muscles burn as they pound the dribble, stay low, and keep eyes forward even as sweat streams down their face. They understand the privilege of their on-court agony and welcome it on the path to improvement.

The Basketball Movement is a special place. Sure, it has a barber station, leather seats, and a cushy film room. At its core, those that have stepped through its doors understand it to be a grindhouse - a place where players come to get their butts kicked and bodies pushed to their limits. This is where they improve as players. This is where they build character. This is a place they will remember for the rest of their lives as a temple of self-improvement.

We miss this place like crazy, and we vow to come back better than ever once this pandemic passes. Support us and keep up the hard work by checking out Rob’s Evolution of a Hooper program. Yanders had spent years amassing this collection of on and off-court curriculum - it is definitely worth your time. Keep checking back here with more updates as we work through this together. Thank you all!

Follow The Basketball Movement across all platforms

At The Basketball Movement, we do our best to keep you in the loop. Help us help you by giving us a follow on all social media platforms!

At present, The Basketball Movement's social media accounts certainly share consistencies, but also some slight differences too. To make sure you are getting the full experience, you should be following along across the board to take in all content.

Give us a like on Facebook! On Facebook, you will see these blog updates, the biggest player news, and facility updates. It is also a great place to reach out and let us know if you or your athlete have any big news concerning recruitment or otherwise.

On our Twitter, you will see much of the same in the form of these posts and big player news. In addition, Twitter is where basketball news often hits first. Big media names break news there and the NBA is all over the platform. This is where we funnel the most relevant news right to you.

Finally, our Instagram is the best place to get visual glimpses inside The Basketball Movement. The posts come directly from the founder himself, Rob Yanders. He drops workout videos, news, drip, and his patented motivation that everyone can benefit from.

Rob’s personal Instagram is another way that you can stay plugged into the brand that we stand for. Tonight, he will be dropping new never-before-seen footage from some of his most intense workouts.

So, make sure that you are tuned into all outlets of The Basketball Movement to get as much basketball goodness as possible! Even during these times that have our doors closed, we will be coming at you with recruiting news, basketball tips, motivation, workouts, and more.

Do yourself a favor and stay tuned! Thanks as always for being along for the ride!

Missing basketball / Maintaining perspective

With gyms shut down across the nation, it is a good time to examine priorities in our lives.

“I miss basketball” is a phrase that is being heavily circulated online as well as in conversation around the world right now. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, fans and hoopers alike are having withdrawals in a time that should be full of basketball goodness.

Men and women’s March Madness has been taken from us. High school seasons have been cut short around the nation. The NBA is on hiatus and may not complete the current season. The WNBA is expected to be postponed. All of the players involved as well as the fans are completely justified in missing hoops. Many of us have the sport deeply woven into our lives in multiple ways.

What we at The Basketball Movement would like to remind you to do in these difficult times is to maintain perspective.

The Basketball Movement is more than a hoops haven - it is a business. As long as our doors are closed, livelihoods will be impacted. So trust us, we get it. We are as ready to get back to basketball as anyone. Just remember that it is bigger than basketball.

Folks are losing their lives to this thing. Those people are parents, siblings, sons/daughters, and friends. Others are putting their lives directly in the line of fire to combat the virus and its effects. People are in hospitals for other reasons as well; illness, having babies… what have you. Those people cannot always have their loved ones present with them, which is devastating.

We must do our part to combat the spread of coronavirus. Stay home, demonstrate good hygiene, and practice social distancing as lives depend on it, because that just may be the case.

Missing basketball is 100% okay. As we said, we miss it as much as anyone in the world. Just keep in mind what is truly important. Enjoy film of old games, do ball-handling drills in the garage (like these), get up shots if you have a hoop. Just prioritize doing your part for the greater good.

This is a great time to reflect. Get priorities in order and just be ready for hoops when it is finally time to get back out there. You will probably get stir crazy, but that means you are staying in and doing your part. We are all in this together. Miss basketball, but always maintain perspective!

What is Evolution of a Hooper?

Robert Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper program is available for coaches, trainers, players, and parents.

The Evolution of a Hooper is up and running for anyone around the sport of basketball that has a desire to improve. Click this link to go directly to Patreon, which is home to the Evolution. The on-court curriculum is in abundance in the form of drills that coaches, trainers, and players can benefit from.

These drills have been created and perfected over years by The Basketball Movement’s Founder, Robert Yanders. This curriculum has been a trade secret of Rob’s that has gone into elevating the play of NBA players down through college, high school, and younger athletes. New drills are uploaded frequently to The Evolution. To have access to all of these is an incredible value for the price, but it doesn’t stop there.

The off-court curriculum is included as well, focusing on many aspects of life that are important for ensuring a balanced approach to the sport. “The person is the player,” Yanders says. Making sure that your circle of friends, goals, and approach in all you do is optimized will translate to the court as well.

A “Midwife” section in the curriculum is made specifically for parents that want to help their athletes by doing all the right things and letting coaches and players take the reigns at the right moments. This is not a lesson in parenting, but how to be the best parent that you can be in terms of maximizing your impact related to your athlete’s performance.

Rob Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper will continue to grow and will soon be linked with a documentary that explains where Rob has come from in the sport. Yanders’ journey through life has been directly linked to the sport of basketball through each step and we want to show how important it is to him that you get the most out of him as a coach and out of this product. His desire to improve those around him shines through absolutely.

Frequent drill uploads alone would make this online program worth it, but the abundance of other materials is what sets the Evolution of a Hooper apart. Give it a shot - for yourself or the coach/athlete in your life. You will not regret it. It is also the best way to support us as a small, local business in these times when we cannot be certain when we will be able to open our doors again as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

If you or your athlete want to maximize potential as a hooper, this is a must-have resource. Click here to give it a try, or go download the Patreon app for Apple or Android and search for The Evolution of a Hooper.

The Basketball Movement will be back!

Stay-at-home orders may have closed the doors at The Basketball Movement, but you can still follow the movement online.

Amidst unprecedented circumstances, The Basketball Movement is suspending activities as local officials issue stay-at-home orders in our area. Though we are all bummed, we are hopeful that these events will put a stop to the spread of the coronavirus that is wreaking havoc on our country and our community.

If you have been following us for a while, you know how seriously we at The Basketball Movement take the well-being of our community both on and off the court. We ask that everyone do their part to slow the spread by staying inside and practicing excellent hygiene.

The sooner we come together and beat this thing, the sooner we can get back hooping and doing what we love. That’s right - The Basketball Movement will be back!

We ask that you stick with us by giving a follow on Twitter, likes on Facebook and Instagram, and checking back frequently as we update this blog as usual. We are going to be doing our best to continue a flow of quality basketball content in a time that sorely misses the sport already.

To not only help support us as a local business but also to stay on top of your game in this surprise offseason, dive in on Robert Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper series on Patreon.

Not only will your contributions help us come back strong from this trying time, but you will gain access to an incredible library of on and off-court curriculum from the basketball mind of our Founder, Rob Yanders. New drills will continue to be uploaded, many of which you can work on from your driveway, garage, etc. More on The Evolution coming soon.

Thank you to everyone who has already been doing their part to combat the virus. Everyone else, join in and just study some film for a few weeks! We will be back soon!

- The Basketball Movement

Film analysis with The Basketball Movement

Stuck at home? Need something to work on? An undervalued skill in basketball is knowing how to adequately prepare for matchups - a skill The Basketball Movement can help you develop.

As you grow in the sport of basketball, the intricacies get more and more important. You have heard for a long time that the little things add up - that becomes more true in each level of the sport. By the time you are playing high school ball and especially hit college or the pros, you should have the fundamentals down. You will be working on the finer things.

One area that too often goes uncoached is the art of mental preparation. You may be equipped with a deep bag of on-court skills, but if you aren’t as prepared as your opponent for the mental portion of the game, the scales will tip.

Luckily, you have a resource. The Basketball Movement has been helping players develop these skills for years, not only teaching players to learn on the fly but also what to look for in film analysis. As you grow in the sport, prepping for teams and individual players becomes crucial if you wish to be competitive. Shouldn’t you learn how to get the most out of this aspect of the game? (The answer is yes)

If you as a player or coach need to learn how to adequately prepare for matchups by studying film or even what to look for in-person, contact us at The Basketball Movement.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art film room that is designed to teach these skills with interactive smart screens and just the man for the job. Head Trainer, Rob Yanders has learned from years of collegiate and professional basketball exactly what to look for and exactly how to look for it.

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This is just one piece of what The Basketball Movement has to offer, but it is a piece that will be difficult to find anywhere else in Southwest Missouri. The specific knowledge and expertise that go into providing lessons on film analysis shouldn’t be discounted. We help hundreds of players each week in so many ways, but this is one way that does not get used enough. Use us! We want to help and need you to know how much more there is than on-the-court action.

Again, to take advantage of our facility and knowledge to give you an edge, please contact The Basketball Movement here and keep it locked to this blog for more of what we do best!

Check out our Open Clinic on Saturdays!

Every Saturday from 9:00-11:00 AM, The Basketball Movement hosts an Open Clinic

Boys and girls that are in 2nd grade all the way up to 8th grade are invited to come to The Basketball Movement's Open Clinic every Saturday. This is a great way to kick off the weekend by brushing up on basketball and getting a taste of what The Basketball Movement has to offer.

The one-day Open Clinic is essentially a mini-camp designed around the fundamentals of the game and basketball skills. Of course, if you are looking for more in-depth skill training, that is offered as well.

The Basketball Movement is working hard to provide an opportunity for area ballers-in-training to get into a gym and have a chance to learn from some of the best coaches in the area. If your player does not have a gym or needs a quick way to learn some skill or knock-off rust, the Open Clinic is perfect.

The two-hour session focuses on skill development, drills, and provides a scrimmage opportunity for the players to look forward to. Time to take advantage of one of the best basketball opportunities offered in the Springfield metro area.

If you have any questions, just shoot an email to basketballmovement@yahoo.com and one of our trainers will be able to assist you. Check out all that The Basketball Movement has to offer here. 

Join Robert Yanders' Evolution of a Hooper

ICYMI: Robert Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper program is available for coaches, trainers, players, and parents.

The Evolution of a Hooper is up and running for anyone around the sport of basketball that has a desire to improve. Click this link to go directly to Patreon, which is home to the Evolution. The on-court curriculum is in abundance in the form of drills that coaches, trainers, and players can benefit from.

These drills have been created and perfected over years by The Basketball Movement’s Founder, Robert Yanders. This curriculum has been a trade secret of Rob’s that has gone into elevating the play of NBA players down through college, high school, and younger athletes. New drills are uploaded each week to The Evolution. To have access to all of these is an incredible value for the price, but it doesn’t stop there.

The off-court curriculum is included as well, focusing on many aspects of life that are important for ensuring a balanced approach to the sport. “The person is the player,” Yanders says. Making sure that your circle of friends, goals, and approach in all you do is optimized will translate to the court as well.

A “Midwife” section in the curriculum is made specifically for parents that want to help their athletes by doing all the right things and letting coaches and players take the reigns at the right moments. This is not a lesson in parenting, but how to be the best parent that you can be in terms of maximizing your impact related to your athlete’s performance.

Rob Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper will continue to grow and will soon be linked with a documentary that explains where Rob has come from in the sport. Yanders’ journey through life has been directly linked to the sport of basketball through each step and we want to show how important it is to him that you get the most out of him as a coach and out of this product. His desire to improve those around him shines through absolutely.

Weekly drill uploads alone would make this online program worth it, but the abundance of other materials is what sets the Evolution of a Hooper apart. Give it a shot this shopping season - for yourself or the coach/athlete in your life. You will not regret it.

If you or your athlete want to maximize potential as a hooper, this is a must-have resource. Click here to give it a try, or go download the Patreon app for Apple or Android and search for The Evolution of a Hooper.

Striving for the Mamba Mentality

As the basketball world continues to mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant, we remind players to carry on the Mamba Mentality.

The world knew Kobe Bryant by the basketball player we saw on the floor. Only his close family and friends truly knew him as a person. We saw how hard he worked, what he was able to achieve, and for the most part, what it took to get there. There are still countless unseen hours, not just that he put towards the game of basketball, but into his other passions, hobbies, and relationships.

For that reason it is not fair of us, the public, to pretend we knew everything about Kobe Bean Bryant. Media figures and players say ”He would want this,” or “he would have wanted that.” All we know is that he loved his family, loved his occupation, and gave us a hell of a spectacle on the court.

The loss of a family man is an indescribable blow. So, let’s just focus on what we can wrap our heads around: Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality.

We knew Kobe primarily by what he was on the court - a true superstar. Bryant was as feared an opponent as anyone could ever imagine. His offensive repertoire made him a killer, a basketball assassin. He could rip your heart out and crush your dreams in so many ways that he earned the respect of nearly every hooper on the planet.

Since the NBA has been naming first or second-team all-defense, Kobe earned the nod 12 times (nine first-team), the most ever by a guard. So despite being an offensive juggernaut, he was able to still exert enough energy and focus on defense that he was deemed one of the league’s best defenders multiple years. Impressive resume, but what does it mean?

The Mamba Mentality

Kobe Bryant was nicknamed the Black Mamba. He could and would strike on offense or defense at any moment, and it was always deadly. Players special enough to go so hard on both ends of the floor are rare, but they all possess something in common - a term coined by Bryant himself: Mamba Mentality.

Players do not need Kobe-level skills to harness the Mamba Mentality because it is just that - a state of mind.

The focus of the Mamba Mentality isn’t attacking the opponent like Bryant made it seem. Instead, the focus is internal; promises to yourself to get every loose ball, the drive to play every defensive possession like it is meant to be played, the willingness to let the offense come to you, but also the readiness to take over a game if that is your role.

Mamba Mentality will look different depending on your role. Kobe was asked to shoulder the load on offense and be a defensive stopper. For some players, it may be focusing on snatching every rebound or making sure teammates are involved. Players on the bench, coaches, anyone… the Mamba Mentality can be applied no matter what.

Perhaps the best way we can remember Kobe Bryant the basketball player is to all try our best to approach life with the Mamba Mentality. Fiercely protect family and friends, keep your foot on the gas while you chase dreams, and give your all in everything you do.

Enjoy the processes - even the little moments and the tough times. Keep loved ones close and let them know how much they mean to you. Bryant and the other individuals we lost were taken from the world too soon, but we can make their loss count for something big. Embody the Mamba Mentality and you will be surprised by the doors that open for you. Reach out to us if that means getting in the gym. Reach out even if it doesn’t and we will be a shoulder for you.

RIP Kobe Bryant - thank you for everything.

The Basketball Movement - Respect

An important key in basketball and in life is to treat everyone around you with respect.

A good practice for basketball but also life in general is to be respectful of EVERYBODY - superiors, peers, and subordinates alike. It is true, not everyone deserves respect, but there is never an excuse to treat someone that way. Even if you do not respect somebody, you must act respectfully at all times.

In basketball, the ultimate example of respect happens in the player-coach relationship. Coaches have the difficult task of uniting individuals in a group, developing a strategy, and implementing that strategy through the actions of their team. This can cause friction between all involved and is not always smooth sailing.

Playing time and usage is important to players and are also some of the greatest tools at a coach’s disposal. They put who they want on the floor to give them the best chance at executing their strategies at all times. Even if you have a tenuous relationship with your coach, it is important that you understand that they are trying to complete a difficult job to the best of their abilities. Not agreeing with the methods is allowed, but respect is necessary at all times, or else it will cause fractures in the team as a whole.

Most importantly, your coach is human. They are prone to mistakes, lapses in judgment, real-life issues, and more that deserve the same consideration that you would hope for yourself. Respect that.

As a player, you must also respect your teammates. You have the same goals; win every game possible, limit mistakes, and yeah, show out a bit. Some may have more or less drive than you. Some may be turnover-prone. Some may just not like to pass you the ball. This is still someone in the trenches with you that you need on the same page as to accomplish the biggest goals.

Again, they are human. Acting disrespectfully will fracture the team dynamic, create rifts where there should be friendships, and make life more difficult than it has to be. You don’t even have to like all of them - just treat them with respect to make the best out of any situation.

“Sport is and should remain a great school of life that supports young people in their personal development. It teaches respect for others and also for oneself.”
— Richard Attias

Referees are different. No wait, that isn’t right because they are also human! Referees have an incredibly difficult job and would probably prefer if you didn’t foul or let the ball go out of bounds. They like basketball too and deserve to enjoy it in their own way without getting disrespected by a player (or coach) that thinks they are doing poorly at their job. They are real people with real issues that don’t deserve to be treated badly.

By now, you have seen the trend. Opponents must be treated with respect. They are a lot like you, only from different locations. The more people you treat with respect, the more likely you will gain respect in return.

Respect can be a difficult concept to grasp even though it seems simple. You do need to earn respect and not every individual does what is needed to have earned it. Strive to earn respect, and remember that treating others respectfully (whether earned or not) is one of the quickest ways to get there.

Generally, people around you will give you opportunities to earn respect and reward you with it. Still, there are those that will want to bring you down. Nothing will eat at them more than treating them respectfully when all they want is to ruffle your feathers. That is why treating others with respect is some of the best advice we can give.

You can’t go wrong with acting respectfully, so do so as much as possible! Even when you stumble, be apologetic, humble, and gracious to get back on the right track. Respect is important in life (and on the court), so make it a focus in 2020.

For more tips, basketball news, and more, keep it locked with us here at The Basketball Movement!

Merry Christmas from The Basketball Movement!

Merry Christmas, everyone! We talk a lot about using holidays and weekends to outwork your opponents but maybe hang with family on this one.

At The Basketball Movement, we are serious about hoops. However, we are also well aware that there are plenty of things that are bigger than basketball. Here on The Basketball Movement blog, we have discussed doing inside work on rainy days, getting in a gym on holiday weekends, and more. That said, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for stepping away from work, school, and play to focus on what is important.

We were thrilled to partner with Yanders Law to show the power of basketball with our Angels of the Hardwood event. It was great to show that even as basketball organizations, there are still ways to get involved in the true reason for the Christmas season.

To all of the players, parents, fans, and The Basketball Movement trainers and staff - Merry Christmas! This is an excellent time to reflect on a year’s worth of accomplishments, hardships overcome, and great things on the horizon.

Thank you to everyone that helped us to make 2019 successful. We are proud of everything that has been accomplished and proud to have worked with everyone who helped to make it happen.

Enjoy this time with family and friends and remember what Christmas is all about. Have a blessed and Merry Christmas, everyone!

Angels of the Hardwood at The Basketball Movement

Yanders Law’s second annual Angels of the Hardwood event is underway right here at The Basketball Movement!

Our favorite day of the year, the Angels of the Hardwood event has been marked on the calendar for Yanders Law and The Basketball Movement for a long time. The event is finally starting with dozens of kids coming through the doors of The Basketball Movement facility.

Multiple Yanders Law players are in attendance, helping kids find the right size of brand new Nike shoes, getting shirts for everyone, and directing them to get professional photos were taken, a new Nike Elite basketball, and even courtside haircuts courtesy of our friends at CUT N EDGE barbershop.

In their new Nike Elite socks, shoes, and shirts, they will start doing simple basketball drills soon as Yanders Law coaches and The Basketball Movement trainers take them through what they do best. The lighthearted nature of the basketball portion will be a bit less intense than we usually see around here, but the inclusion and fun make it many times sweeter during the season of giving.

The gym is currently filled with the sounds of balls bouncing and kids laughing, and we couldn’t be more excited to keep the energy going!

In addition to the gear, all athletes will receive presents, goody bags filled with healthy snacks, and North Face fleece pullovers as temperatures drop outside. It is a great day of giving, but it wouldn’t be possible without ample support.

We want to give a very special shoutout to all of our sponsors:

Nike

OMS Surgery

Parkcrest Dental Group

Eastbay

Clear Creek Family Dental

Aleshire Robb & Rapp

Cox Health - Neurosurgery (Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute)

Spencer Fane

Multiple anonymous donors

We also want to thank the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Harmony House, YMCA, and multiple area public schools for getting the word out and participating in this event. A special shoutout of course to the Yanders Law players and parents for donating presents and their precious time!

Make sure you are following along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during and following the event to keep up with the good we are hopefully doing for the community that has given us so much. Merry Christmas from The Basketball Movement!

Evolution of a Hooper - Out now!

ICYMI: Robert Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper program is available for coaches, trainers, players, and parents.

The Evolution of a Hooper is up and running for anyone around the sport of basketball that has a desire to improve. Click this link to go directly to Patreon, which is home to the Evolution. The on-court curriculum is in abundance in the form of drills that coaches, trainers, and players can benefit from.

These drills have been created and perfected over years by The Basketball Movement’s Founder, Robert Yanders. This curriculum has been a trade secret of Rob’s that has gone into elevating the play of NBA players down through college, high school, and younger athletes. New drills are uploaded each week to The Evolution. To have access to all of these is an incredible value for the price, but it doesn’t stop there.

The off-court curriculum is included as well, focusing on many aspects of life that are important for ensuring a balanced approach to the sport. “The person is the player,” Yanders says. Making sure that your circle of friends, goals, and approach in all you do is optimized will translate to the court as well.

A “Midwife” section in the curriculum is made specifically for parents that want to help their athletes by doing all the right things and letting coaches and players take the reigns at the right moments. This is not a lesson in parenting, but how to be the best parent that you can be in terms of maximizing your impact related to your athlete’s performance.

Rob Yanders’ Evolution of a Hooper will continue to grow and will soon be linked with a documentary that explains where Rob has come from in the sport. Yanders’ journey through life has been directly linked to the sport of basketball through each step and we want to show how important it is to him that you get the most out of him as a coach and out of this product. His desire to improve those around him shines through absolutely.

Weekly drill uploads alone would make this online program worth it, but the abundance of other materials is what sets the Evolution of a Hooper apart. Give it a shot this shopping season - for yourself or the coach/athlete in your life. You will not regret it.

If you or your athlete want to maximize potential as a hooper, this is a must-have resource. Click here to give it a try, or go download the Patreon app for Apple or Android and search for The Evolution of a Hooper.

Robert Yanders - The Evolution

The Basketball Movement’s Founder, Robert Yanders is unveiling a new program to turn the basketball world upside down.

Already three or four years in the making, Rob Yanders’ Evolution is a basketball program like no other. Throughout his own personal evolution through the sport, he has acquired the knowledge and expertise to put together an on-and-off-court curriculum that can benefit anyone around the sport of basketball.

Yanders’ personal journey has played an important part in the creation of this program. So, in conjunction with the curriculum and all else that will be included in The Evolution, Rob will be putting out a documentary from his time on the court and off. From the Salvation Army court to four European Championships, from the streets to moving his Mom in next door in a million-dollar home, you are going to want to see this.

The heart of The Evolution is the curriculum. There are on-court drills such as the one Rob previewed on his Instagram below:

With numerous drills that can greatly benefit trainers, coaches, and players alike, there is already an absurd amount of beneficial content within The Evolution. It doesn’t stop there though, with off-court curriculum to benefit players as well.

There are multiple facets to the off-court curriculum and Rob has included so much detail that we can’t possibly unpack it all here. In a nutshell, the off-court lessons will be conveyed in a computer format; individuals will be able to click around the various sections of the curriculum to expand on topics and ideas presented.

Some examples of off-court topics are: who is in your circle, urgency, putting in the “unrequired” work, preparation, being intentional, and more.

The Evolution will provide great benefits for coaches and trainers. The benefits can be passed along to players, or players can access The Evolution directly. This program is designed to aid everyone around the world of hoops. For that reason, there is even going to be a piece included for parents of athletes as well.

Rob has included a section in The Evolution that revolves around the concept of a basketball “midwife.” This portion is all about what parents of athletes can do to help their children succeed while accepting assistance and guidance from trained hoops professionals.

Check out more details below in the latest Vibin Session, where Writer Wil Harrington asks Rob to dish on as many details as he can regarding this exciting new program:

As Rob mentions in the video, The Evolution will be dropping sometime next month, so keep an eye out for upcoming details and announcements. The Basketball Movement is well known as a premier hoops training facility in the Midwest and Coach Rob is one of the top trainers in the nation. You don’t want to miss this impressive package if you are an individual fortunate enough to be involved with the game. Stay tuned!

Tips: Ignoring the noise

At every level of the game, there will be plenty of outside noise that you must learn to tune out.

When we say tuning out the noise, that is meant to be taken both literally and figuratively. There will be literal noise in the form of opponents jawing at you, harsh words from the stands, and encouragement. The figurative noise can come in many forms: online chatter, the media (for the higher tiers of the sport), and other off-court words from teammates, peers, and more.

For any players worth his or her salt, the literal noise is much easier to tune out. When on the court, locking in and focusing on the task at hand should be fairly natural.

That said, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded to not get sucked into the pettiness of on-court chatter. You have no business getting dragged into chatting with your opponents. Focus on yourself and your team. When the chatter is coming from fans, you have even less business engaging the crowd. Just allow the crowd to be white noise. You will still be able to register the roar when your team is doing well at home or relish in the silence that comes with success on the road. Even words of encouragement, which are definitely not a bad thing, can be a bit distracting. Just focus on the game and wait until the end for your pats on the back.

Keep an ear open for your coach and teammates. Their words are the only ones you must focus on. Any other noise during a game is just that - noise.

Off the court, you don’t have the heat of the moment to distract you. You may be told you’re no good. You may be told you’re the best. You may be told your shot is ugly. You may hear your team is going to win it all. It is nearly impossible to tune out all of the outside noise you will hear over your playing career.

While you may not be able to control what you hear, you will always be in control of what comes next. Do you worry about how your shot looks? Do you hang your head or puff your chest? The thing to do is to remember that you are the only one that can control your destiny on the court. Do you, only take advice from those you trust the most, and focus on doing whatever it takes to improve and help your team.

No one knows you and your game better than yourself. Control what you can control and let the flow of the game take care of the rest. Ignore the haters and make sure your circle consists of honest individuals that truly want to see you succeed.

The noise will always be there, but it is up to you to filter as much as possible and don’t let the rest affect your game. If you must hear it, use it as fuel as you pursue the path that YOU determine is best. Many of the top players have unique styles that probably garnered some hate more than once on their journey. The best thing you can do is trust yourself, work hard, and silence the noise with your play.

The Basketball Movement Invitational 2019: Day Three

Day three of The Basketball Movement Invitational Camp is all about the games - time to showcase what got these guys invited in the first place.

Starting with light stretching and shooting, today’s focus quickly turns to the games this morning. Day two was great; a full morning of drills and workouts culminated in a night of ferocious competition. Today should prove to be even better, as the teams fight to be the best.

Some extra incentive has been placed on these games by Rob Yanders, saying that the coach of the winning team will receive a nice little bonus… Hey, if you don’t perform in the real world and come together, unfortunately, coaches don’t always get to stick around long. This is a fun little twist that puts a competitive spin on things for all involved.

Check out the below, as Yanders highlighted some of the top performers from last night in our NBA Division:

If you couldn’t make it out last night, we highly recommend catching some of the games this morning, which are slated to run consecutively until around noon (EDIT: STRETCHING AND WARMUPS STARTED AROUND 9:00 AM, SO THE GAMES WILL BE BUMPED APPROX. AN HOUR BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE). Once again: These games are open to the public! We highly recommend this to any area fan of HS basketball. Think Bass Pro Tournament of Champions with evenly distributed talent, an urban atmosphere, and blue-color work ethic and intensity. Just be here. See for yourself.

At the time this is being written, there are still a few more courtside, luxury leather seats available, first-come-first-served!

We’ll be coming at you with highlights and a weekend recap that will have Rob Yanders selections for his All-Camp guys. Stay tuned and hopefully, we see you soon!

The Basketball Movement Invitational 2019: Day Two

On the first day of The Basketball Movement Invitational Camp, we should have known better than to tell you to wait for day two for competitive fire.

Alright, alright, so the “getting to know you” portion of day one lasted about 30 minutes and the ferocious competition may have started a bit earlier than normal. That may or may not have been intentional on the part of Rob Yanders, whose opening remarks for the camp included the question “Who you got beef with? Who do you want to go at?” This was adamantly answered by a few camp-goers, who got their wish in the form of some king of the court after warmups.

This set the tone for not just the rest of the night, but the rest of the camp. Everyone got in on 1v1, 3v3, and some 4v4 king of the court, an impromptu “show your stuff” dunk free-for-all broke out, and we started several in-camp rivalries already.

If night one was any indication, day two is going to be tuff.

The morning portion will consist of warmups and stretching, followed by positional station work and drills on the court. Lunch is going to be provided at the gym for the players and a guest speaker will be joining us right after.

Things have been moved up a bit from our schedule released a few days ago.

Teams and game times for the evening games will be posted at 4:00 and then games will be played on both courts simultaneously on the hour the rest of the night starting at 5:00 and wrapping things up between 9:00 and 10:00 pm. These games are open to the public, so feel free to stop by at any point! We have luxury leather seating courtside and bleachers for overflow.

So far so good for heated action as usual at The Basketball Movement. The competition is already at the level we were hoping for and it will only go up from here. These are going to be fierce games between high-level competitors, so we highly recommend you make it out if you are a basketball fan. We are sporting talent from all over the country, plenty from St. Louis, and a good amount of local talent from the Springfield-metro area, so come out and support your hometown guys!

Keep it locked to our social media channels, primarily Twitter and Instagram to stay on top of the action throughout the day. Hope to see you tonight!