AUGUSTA, Ga.
— For most NBA players, the next season is when things get really tough, especially for players who haven’t won the lottery.
That’s when the salary cap hits, the cap holds and the contracts begin to come into play.
For NBA players who do manage to land a winning season, however, the offseason doesn’t come as quickly as most people expect.
Here are some tips for successful summer seasons.
1.
Be realistic.
A lot of people have a great view of what an NBA season can look like and how it can affect a player’s future.
They can be wrong, and they can be right.
The truth is, the NBA offseason is more of a journey than a destination.
That can be a challenge, but it’s one that can be accomplished.
Just remember, the summer is about growth and learning, not winning championships.
2.
Don’t let injuries derail your season.
The league has a system in place to protect its players from injuries and keep them fresh for the upcoming season.
It’s called the All-Star break.
It gives players a break from the grind of the season, and it helps them to regroup and get ready for the season ahead.
If a player needs a break, he’s more likely to be healthy and ready to go. 3.
Don, don’t go too hard.
It can be tempting to go too far during the season and put too much pressure on yourself, and maybe the results are what you want.
That could backfire.
Try to remain grounded, and focus on doing what you need to do to win.
4.
Be patient.
Players often find that they enjoy the process of developing and growing.
If they do find themselves having to work harder, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.
Keep your patience.
5.
Don’s the only one you can count on.
You can’t trust anybody else, but you can rely on Copenhagen to keep your best interests in mind and keep your focus on what’s best for you.
Copenhagen is the coach of the Atlanta Hawks, who are in the midst of the best season in franchise history.
He also coached the Portland Trail Blazers to a Western Conference title in 2017-18.
He is the NBA’s head of basketball operations and also runs the basketball operations department for the NBA Development League’s Orlando Magic.
Copahan can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @copenhagen.
