Team Final coach talks Dereck Lively
Dereck Lively II is now a Blue Devil. The elite center made his selection this evening and Bull City Hoops spoke with Rob Brown of Team Final about how truly special Lively is as a mobile big man.
Check out BCH’s exclusive interview with the head coach for the EYBL Champions.
BCH: You’ve seen the improvements in his game over the last year more than anyone. What did he show the biggest improvement in over the course of that time?
Rob Brown: “It was definitely his jump shot. He put in so much work to add that to his game and it shows. He really shoots the ball so much better than he did last year. He’s still got room for growth and he’ll put the work in, so he’ll keep getting better there. The other thing was his confidence. It’s grown so much.”
BCH: What did he mean to your squad winning the EYBL Finals over the summer? What difference did he make out on the floor for your team?
“He’s like a rim shield out there.”
Brown: “He was huge. I can’t even tell you how much he meant to us. His defense is outstanding. He’s like a rim shield out there. He’s so mobile and just moves so well for a seven footer.”
BCH: Dereck, as you know full well, is a big-time NBA prospect. A lot of centers struggle in the NBA because teams pull them away from the basket and make them guard in space, by running a lot of ball screens. But Dereck has the speed. Talk about that a little bit.
Brown: “That was one of the things that he took pride in for us. We switched on every screen because he and (Jalen Duren) could do that. They took pride in switching to the guards. They’d smother those guys with their length. And even if he got beat off the dribble, he could recover with his length and athletic ability. He was amazing for us.”
BCH: What areas does he need to work on the most before he gets to college and for his ultimate destination as a pro?
Brown: “Well he will need to continue to make his jumper better. Like I said, it’s good, but he will need to keep working there. Obviously people will say getting stronger and I think he knows that. And mixing it up in the paint a bit. The game is changed now that there aren’t as many Patrick Ewing’s and Hakeem Olajuwon’s out there, but being physical inside is still needed.”